Join Canada Sports Betting’s Nick Martin as he handicaps the best NHL player prop bets available from Monday’s 4-game slate.
Best bet – Jack Hughes over 3.5 shots on goal: -115
Jack Hughes over 3.5 shots on goal
Backing Jack Hughes to record over 3.5 shots on goal in a favourable matchup versus the New York Islanders will certainly be among the most popular plays from prop bettors on Monday, and I’m certainly aligned with the public in thinking this is a good spot to target Hughes.
Over the last two seasons, Hughes and Jesper Bratt have formed an elite duo capable of causing problems for opposing teams off the rush and off the cycle in extended sequences of play in the offensive zone. Though they have still fared quite well together at even strength, they have been hampered by the play of Ondrej Palat throughout much of the last two seasons, as he’s gotten way too long of a leash from head coach Sheldon Keefe
Keefe has finally accepted the need to replace Palat on the top line, and it looks as though Noesen will play alongside Bratt and Hughes in tonight’s matchup based on the morning skate. Noesen is an underrated play-driver, and the Devils’ newly formed top line should be able to generate plenty of chances in tonight’s matchup.
Though the Islanders have been getting strong results where it counts recently, they have been allowing opponents plenty of scoring opportunities and spending a lot of time playing in the defensive zone. Over the last 10 games, the Islanders rank 26th in xGA/60 and have allowed 28.74 shots against per 60 across all strengths this season.
Following a poor start to the season, Islanders starter Ilya Sorokin has found his game recently, which is a positive thing for bettors targeting Hughes to record over 3.5 shots on goal in tonight’s matchup, as an ideal game script will be a close game where the Devils are forced to continue pressing for offence and offering big minutes to their top stars.
Hughes has recorded over 3.5 shots on goal in three of his last four games played and has recorded 24 shot attempts in that span. The Islanders provide a solid matchup for Hughes to continue racking up scoring chances, and at -115, I believe there is value in backing him to record over 3.5 shots on goal once again Monday night.
Best bet – Artemi Panarin/Vincent Trocheck each to record a point: +155
Panarin/Trochek points parlay
The New York Rangers have averaged just 0.85 goals per game on home ice this season and have been shut out in five of their seven games played. That’s going to scare many bettors off of touching the Rangers in the prop market in tonight’s matchup, but a game versus the Nashville Predators gives the Rangers a great opportunity to finally send their fans home happy.
The Predators have played nine games since captain Roman Josi was injured, and they have been the worst defensive team in the league during that span, allowing 4.01 xGA/60 and 3.77 actual goals against per game. Goaltender Juuse Saros has been much sharper this season than he was last year with a .902 save percentage but has still allowed 2.88 goals against per game versus a soft slate of opposing offences.
Panarin played one of his best games of the season Friday in Detroit, putting up a goal and two assists. He was unable to follow it up the next night versus the Islanders, but this looks to be an enticing spot to buy back in on the ultra-talented winger with Trocheck returning to the lineup.
In the previous two seasons, Panarin, Trocheck, and Lafreniere were the Rangers’ most commonly used line combination. In 2023-24 they scored 3.75 goals per 60, and last season they scored 3.33 goals per 60. Trocheck was injured in the second game of the season and has not played since, but he, Panarin, and Lafreniere did link up for the opening goal of that game.
This a good spot to back the Rangers finally generating a meaningful offensive output on home ice, and given the strong correlation between Panarin and Trocheck to produce together, a price of +155 for each to record a point looks quite appealing.
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