Join Canada Sports Betting’s Nick Martin as he handicaps the best NHL player prop bets available from Wednesday’s four-game slate.
Best Bet—Connor McMichael to record a point: +105
Connor McMichael to record a point
After recording 57 points in 82 games during the 2024-25 regular season, McMichael has gotten off to a disappointing start, tallying just seven points in 19 games, in a year where it was logical to think the 24-year-old may continue to take steps forward skating in his true prime.
McMichael was promoted to the Capitals’ top line alongside Alex Ovechkin and Dylan Strome in Saturday’s matchup versus the New Jersey Devils and remained in that role on Monday versus the Los Angeles Kings. As expected, it’s led to improved involvement offensively, as McMichael has recorded three points over the last two games, as well as seven shots on target.
McMichael has averaged only 15:57 of time-on-ice this season but has played over 18 minutes in each of the last two games. While his added workload helps this prop, his current usage is drastically more likely to lead to offensive production, as he’s obviously playing with two highly productive skaters in Ovechkin and Strome and will continue to get drastically more offensive zone starts, as head coach Spencer Carbery has almost exclusively given Ovechkin offensive zone starts this season.
The Edmonton Oilers have been fairly shaky defensively this season, having allowed 3.48 goals against per game. They have allowed 3.63 xGA/60 over the last 10 games, and it appears that their revamped lineup and the loss of defensive assistant coach Paul Coffey have led to a significant dropoff in defensive form relative to last season.
Best Bet—Leo Carlsson Over 2.5 Shots on Goal: +130
Leo Carlsson over 2.5 shots on goal
Entering the season I was high on the potential of a full-fledged breakout from Carlsson, who showed strong flashes offensively last season despite former head coach Greg Cronin’s awful tactics and iffy usage, and that take looks strong as he’s on pace for nearly 120 points.
Obviously, oddsmakers are coming around on how much more effective Carlsson has been (he’s priced at -220 to record a point Wednesday), but the chances he records three shots in a highly favourable matchup versus the depleted Boston Bruins seem to be underrated.
Carlsson has found strong chemistry playing with a creative, pass-first play-driver in Troy Terry, which was predictable entering the season. Chris Kreider’s resurgence has also helped the Ducks’ top line perform so effectively, and in 122.2 minutes of play the Ducks’ top trio has generated 3.68 xGF/60 and 72.12 shot attempts per 60.
Carlsson and the Ducks’ top trio have been quieter of late, as Carlsson has recorded only one goal over the last four games, though he’s still recorded 13 shots on goal from 23 shot attempts. However, three of Anaheim’s last four games have been low-event affairs coming against teams expected to defend at better than average rates this season.
The shorthanded Bruins provide a much stronger opportunity for Carlsson to pour shots on target and present a good opportunity to buy low on Carlsson in this specific market with the price up at +130. Boston has allowed 29.59 shots against per 60 over the last 10 games, which is the fifth-highest mark in the NHL.
As top defender Charlie McAvoy is currently sidelined, the Bruins present as an even more favourable matchup for the Ducks’ top unit to generate plenty of scoring opportunities. With Elias Lindholm and Casey Mittelstadt also sidelined, the Bruins’ depth down the middle is also quite concerning, which should help Carlsson dominate in this matchup.
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