Canada Sports Betting examines the best NHL player prop bets for Wednesday, Oct. 15, highlighting a pair of potential anytime goal-scorers to target.
The two NHL goal-scorers we’re backing for Wednesday’s four-game slate are Tage Thompson and Dylan Guenther.
Best NHL player prop bets for Oct. 15
Tage Thompson anytime goal-scorer: +140
Tage Thompson to score vs. Senators
The Buffalo Sabres have scored just two goals through their first three games of the season, but it hasn’t been because of a lack of effort from their elite scorer, Tage Thompson. A career 13.5% shooter, Thompson has a whopping 32 shot attempts with 17 of those landing on goal but has found the back of the net just once.
Thompson, who netted 44 goals in 76 games for the Sabres last season, should be aided in this matchup by the return of winger Zach Benson to the top line. Benson will be making his season debut after taking a puck to the face earlier this month.
On Wednesday, Thompson and the Sabres will be playing an Ottawa Senators side that has surrendered 14 goals over its first three games. Additionally, the Senators recently received a demoralizing blow when they found out captain Brady Tkachuk would miss at least the next four weeks with a hand injury.
Ottawa will also be turning to backup goaltender Leevi Merilainen in this matchup, as it’s the first portion of a back-to-back for the Senators. Merilainen has performed well in a small sample size, recording a 2.25 GAA and .919 save percentage in just 14 career NHL games, but the Sabres should benefit from avoiding 2023 Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark on Wednesday.
After an 0-3 start to the campaign, bettors should consider the enhanced context of this game for the Sabres. There’s a tremendous amount of pressure on head coach Lindy Ruff and general manager Kevyn Adams as the team attempts to snap a miserable 14-year playoff drought. If the losses continue to mount early in the campaign, a change behind the bench or at the executive level could come sooner rather than later.
If you’re still on the fence about backing Thompson to score in this contest, he’s historically thrived against the Senators, posting 10 goals in 12 career games against Ottawa.
Dylan Guenther anytime goal-scorer: +155
Dylan Guenther to score vs. Flames
The Mammoth will play their home opener on Wednesday against the fatigued Calgary Flames, who are playing the second leg of a back-to-back. As a result of playing on consecutive nights, Calgary is turning to backup goaltender Devin Cooley, who is a huge downgrade to No. 1 goalie Dustin Wolf in this matchup. Cooley holds a career save percentage of just .870 at the NHL level.
Additionally, the Flames have struggled defensively this season, allowing 3.35 xGA/60 and four goals per game despite boasting one of the better goaltenders in the league in Wolf.
Dylan Guenther, who netted 33 goals in 70 games last season, has accounted for a pair of the team’s five total goals through three games while landing 13 of his 27 shot attempts on goal. The 22-year-old has looked exceptional on the team’s second line alongside Logan Cooley and J.J. Peterka, with the trio accounting for 59.1% of expected goals while playing together in a small sample size this season. Guenther is also getting time on Utah’s top power-play unit, further boosting his chances of netting a goal on Wednesday.
Most online sportsbooks have set a lofty 3.5-goal team total for the Mammoth in this matchup, so it makes sense to hone in on the team’s top players in the goal-scoring betting markets.