The NHL’s schedule-makers did fans (and bettors) a solid Wednesday, putting 28 of the league’s 32 teams on the ice in a Thanksgiving Eve hockey feast.
With this much action, it was difficult narrowing down our five favorite NHL props. But we did it — and, as always, we serve up these top NHL props with a side of analysis.
All odds courtesy of DraftKings and FanDuel updated as of 10 a.m. ET on Nov. 24.
Minnesota Wild: Kirill Kaprizov
The Prop: 0.5 Total Points Scored (at New Jersey Devils)
The Odds: Over -158/Under +128
The Minnesota Wild announced new lines at Tuesday’s practice, and while the shakeup is supposed to spark more offense, there’s one missing piece that should concern Kaprizov (and anyone considering taking the Over on this prop).
#MNWild lines at practice:
Kaprizov-Hartman-Zuccarello
Greenway-JEEK-Foligno
Fiala-Gaudreau-Pitlick
Duhaime-Sturm-Bjugstad— Dane Mizutani (@DaneMizutani) November 23, 2021
It may sound crazy, but center Victor Rask being removed from the rotation could prove significant. Even though Rask has played in just 10 of his team’s 18 games — and put up just five points — his presence has been key to Kaprizov’s effectiveness.
In the eight games Rask has been scratched, Kaprizov has been held off the stat sheet four times and has five points total across the other four. However, in 10 games Rask has been on the ice, Kaprizov has 13 points, including seven in the past three contests.
While Kaprizov is the Wild’s leading scorer this season with 18 points (five goals, 13 assists), his play seems to depend on Rask up the middle — even if the two aren’t always on the ice at the same time.
Boston Bruins: David Pastrnak
The Prop: Score Anytime Goal (vs. Buffalo)
The Odds: +110
Pastrnak is far and away the Bruins’ highest volume shooter, leading the team with 66 this season. The next closest player, linemate Patrice Bergeron, has 47.
By Pastrnak’s standards, it’s been a down season, with five goals in 15 games. However, he should have plenty of opportunties to buck that trend against a floundering Sabres squad that has fizzled after their hot start. Buffalo allows the eighth-most shots per game (32.8) and has yielded a whopping 17 goals in its past three outings.
History is also on Pastrnak’s side here, as he has scored 10 goals against Buffalo in 23 regular-season games.
Vancouver Canucks
The Prop: Under 1.5 Total Goals Scored (at Pittsburgh)
The Odds: +200
To say the Canucks have struggled this season is a massive understatement. In the Western Conference, only the Coyotes (10) and expansion Kraken (11) have fewer points than Vancouver (14). And the team has been on edge ever since a meeting between owner Francesco Aquilini and GM Jim Benning.
Hearing VAN owner Francesco Aquilini to meet with GM Jim Benning this afternoon. Neither individual will comment, but from what I understand, this is a meeting to understand why the team is losing and address it, not to make a change at the position.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) November 16, 2021
Players have reportedly started taking sides and aligning themselves with those they think are “safest” within the organization. It’s an ugly situation on the brink of getting worse. Worst of all, it appears to be affecting the Canucks’ play on the ice.
Vancouver has dropped 10 of its last 13 games, scoring two goals or fewer in nine of those contests — and one goal or fewer five times. That includes Sunday’s 1-0 loss to the Blackhawks, who have surrendered the fifth most goals in the league.
Now the Canucks’ slumping offense runs up against red-hot Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry, who has allowed a grand total of one goal in his last three games. And it’s confirmed: Jarry will be back in net Wednesday for Pittsburgh.
Los Angeles Kings: Adrian Kempe
The Prop: 2.5 Total Shots on Goal (vs. Toronto)
The Odds: Over +124/Under -154
Kempe has been on a tear in his past four games, totaling 17 shots on goal. He ranks second on the Kings in goals with seven, and he sits in third in shots (54, three behind team leader Alex Iafallo).
In his past 10 games, Kempe has gone over 2.5 shots seven times. Though Toronto allows the sixth-fewest shots per game (29.7), there’s no reason to think L.A. won’t keep feeding Kempe the puck.
Also working in Kempe’s favor: The Leafs played three games in four days from Thursday through Sunday, all on the East Coast. So it’s possible they might be dealing with some dead legs/jet-leg issues as they kick off a three-game California road trip.
Edmonton Oilers: Connor McDavid
The Prop: 0.5 Total Goals Scored (at Arizona)
The Odds: Over +104/Under -128
While Leon Draisaitl (league-best 18 goals) seems like the common-sense pick for a goal against the last-place Coyotes, there may be better value in taking McDavid here. In 19 career games against Arizona, McDavid has 11 goals; Draisaitl has just four against Arizona in 28 meetings.
In his last game against Dallas, McDavid was held without a point for the first game all season. However, he tallied goals in three of his previous four games.
Look for the league’s best player to come out of the gates firing on Wednesday and light the lamp for his 13th of the season.
