It’s only been a week since the NHL’s COVID-19 pause, but it certainly felt longer than that. Even though there are five games postponed on Wednesday, we still have six games on the docket (assuming no more postponements).
As such, we’re adding an extra selection to Wednesday’s NHL Props action, giving you one for each game. Think of it as a little holiday NHL Props bonus!
All odds via DraftKings and FanDuel as of 4:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Dec. 29.
Buffalo Sabres: Alex Tuch
The Prop: Score Anytime Goal (vs. New Jersey Devils)
The Odds: +245
Tuch is set to make his Buffalo debut Wednesday night. Tuch was a key piece of the return in the Jack Eichel trade to Vegas, but he was forced to sit out while recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. Additionally, 20-year-old Peyton Krebs (also acquired from Vegas) and 19-year-old JJ Peterka are also set to suit up for the Sabres for the first time on Wednesday.
Last season, Tuch scored 18 goals in 55 games with the Golden Knights, two off his career-high. He also added another four goals in the playoffs.
Speed. Size. Scoring ability.
Welcome to the Sabres, Alex Tuch. pic.twitter.com/kCWlYqZcpV
— The Charging Buffalo (@TheChargingBUF) November 4, 2021
Tuch should see top-line minutes Wednesday as Tage Thompson is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury, and fellow forwards Jeff Skinner and Dylan Cozens are still in COVID-19 protocol. Buffalo will need someone to step up offensively, and they’ll no doubt turn to Tuch.
New York Rangers: Adam Fox
The Prop: 1.5 Total Shots on Goal (vs. Florida Panthers)
The Odds: Over -154/Under +126
As the defending Norris Trophy winner, part of Fox’s job description is to be a solid defenseman at both ends of the ice. While he’s gone Over 1.5 shots in three of his last five games, he’s only barely cleared it (notching two shots total each time).
The Panthers rank third in the league in scoring (3.55 goals per game), meaning Fox will likely be more focused on defensive responsibilities in this one. Shutting down Florida’s top line of Carter Verhaeghe (seven goals), Aleksander Barkov (10 goals), and Anthony Duclair (nine goals) won’t be easy.
Fox putting less than two total shot on net seems like the play here.
Washington Capitals: Alex Ovechkin
The Prop: 0.5 Total Goals Scored (vs. Nashville Predators)
The Odds: Over +104/Under -108
The oddsmakers are almost unanimous in their assessment of this Capitals-Predators battle: Ovechkin is going to put the puck in the net. At DraftKings, Ovechkin is -125 to score anytime; no other player for either team is below +150. FanDuel’s player props are priced differently, so taking plus-money on this one is the smarter play.
Ovechkin has been automatic on the ice this season with 22 goals in 31 games. The greatest goal scorer of this generation, he’s only two goals off his total from last season in 14 fewer games.
Ovi’s seven-game point streak came to an end in his last game against the Los Angeles Kings. Time to put a new streak together.
Editor’s Note: New to NHL props? Check out our complete NHL Props Betting Guide to get up to speed!
Edmonton Oilers: Leon Draisaitl
The Prop: 1.5 Total Points (at St. Louis Blues)
The Odds: Over +108/Under -132
Just like with Ovechkin, Draisaitl has been a point-scoring machine this season. With 23 goals and 49 points, he leads the league in both categories and has finished in the top two in points each of the past seasons.
Draisaitl has put up multiple points in 15 of 29 games this season. While St. Louis’ defense has been solid (2.68 goals against per game; 10th in the league), they’ll have four players in COVID-19 protocols and eight others on the injury report. In other words, Draisaitl gets to feast against a heavily depleted opponent.
Philadelphia Flyers: Cam Atkinson
The Prop: 2.5 Total Shots (at Seattle Kraken)
The Odds: Over -115/Under -105
Atkinson leads the Flyers in shots on goal this season with 85 in 29 games (2.93 per game). A large portion of that has come in the past three games, in which Atkinson fired a combined 15 shots on net.
Given those stats, the Over would seem to be the way to go with this one. However, the Under not only provides better value but is more favorable given the matchup. The Kraken only allow 28.7 shots per game this season, tied for second-fewest in the league.
Vancouver Canucks: Brock Boeser
The Prop: Score Anytime Goal (at Anaheim Ducks)
The Odds: +210
Boeser has lit the lamp four times in his past five games, and under new head coach Bruce Boudreau, he’s been getting to the dirty areas to drive the offense.
Deja-two ✌️
Brock Boeser has his second of the night. 🎯 pic.twitter.com/8f1dP6BFzY
— NHL (@NHL) December 17, 2021
Playing with sky-high confidence, Boeser also has tallied at least four shots in four of the last five. Prior to this, he tallied four or more shots in five of his initial 21 games. Boeser is also seeing increased ice time, likely the result of him playing at a higher level.
Even though Boeser failed to put the puck in the net in two games against Anaheim back in November, look for him to keep rolling Wednesday —especially considering the Ducks have surrendered 16 goals in four December home games (as opposed to eight goals in five December road games).
