After a gargantuan 15-game slate on Saturday, the NHL follows up with a gentleman's pair of games to close out the weekend. While perhaps not the most exciting duo of games, they do provide some interesting angles if you're looking to get some NHL player props in tonight.
Here are a few props that stick out to me tonight:
Montour OVER 2.5 Shots on Goal
Over in 8 of his last 11 games and 4 of 5 on the road, Montour is averaging 7.2 attempts per game in his last 5 games. Coming off a tough loss to Calgary yesterday, the Panthers travel to Columbus to face the subpar Blue Jackets tonight. Averaging 40+ shots per game on the road, Florida matches up well with a Columbus squad that is near the top of the league in both overall shots allowed and shots allowed to defensemen. Montour hit in 2 of 3 past meetings with CBJ and I like him to continue that trend tonight.
Letang OVER 2.5 Shots on Goal
Coming into tonight's meeting with the Blackhawks, Letang has 8+ shot attempts in 3 of his last 4 games. He has hit in 3 straight games and each of his last two road games. While Chicago isn't at the very top of the league in shots allowed, they are in the top half of the league, and they are in the top 25% for shots allowed to defensemen. In 6 matchups with the Blackhawks as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins dating back to 2017, Letang has 4+ shots on goal in all but one game.
Barkov OVER 3.5 Shots on Goal
I described him to someone yesterday as matchup/situation proof until proven otherwise and I stand by it. Barkov has hit in 6 straight games and each of his last 2 road games. Averaging 6.8 shot attempts overall, his average actually bumps up to 7.6 on the road. As previously mentioned, Columbus is giving up plenty of shots per game and Florida will be looking to get back to their winning ways after their loss to the Flames yesterday.
Bemstrom OVER 2 Shots on Goal
I wouldn't be able to pick Bemstrom out of a lineup, but with injuries to Laine and a number of other starters, it's next man up time and so far, he has delivered on the shot front, with 3+ shots on goal in 4 of 5 games. Averaging 5.2 attempts per game, we just need him to find the goal with 3 of them. Though far from an easy target, Florida has proven to be susceptible to shots from the Right-Wing position, where Bemstrom is starting on the top line.
Forsling OVER 0.5 Points
With points in his last 4 games, Forsling heads into a meeting with a Blue Jackets team allowing 4+ goals a game. Often on the ice with the top talent in Florida's arsenal, this appears to be a good setup for Forsling to continue his points streak.
Zucker OVER 0.5 Points
Seeing a career resurgence here to start the season, Zucker is showing flashes of what Pittsburgh was hoping for when they acquired him from Minnesota (and broke my heart) back in 2020. He has points in 5 of his last 6 games and has 15 total points in 16 games to start the season. With the Blackhawks likely starting Soderblom in net, it seems likely the Penguins will put up at least 2-3 goals if not more. On the 2nd line with Malkin and working on the Power Play, Zucker should have plenty of opportunities to continue a 4 game points streak against Chicago that dates back to 2019 and his playing days with the Wild.
Finally, I have been having some success with under plays the last week or so and I want to highlight a perennial favorite that I will be playing this evening:
Guentzel UNDER 3.5 Shots on Goal
While Guentzel defied expectations vs Minnesota (where he grew up) earlier this week, I like him to go under tonight against Chicago. He has failed to record 4+ shots in 5 of his last 6 games. On the road he has only hit in 2 of 9 games so far this season. He is averaging just 4.6 shot attempts per game (troubling when you need 4 SOG to hit) and in 8 matchups with the Blackhawks dating back to 2017 he has only hit twice. An added bonus, Chicago is in the bottom half of the league in shots allowed to Left Wingers (meaning they allow fewer shots).
That's it for now. Let's have a good night and head into the week with some lunch money in our pocket.
If you'd like to see my daily matchup charts, additional prop analysis, and other NHL content, please give me a follow on Twitter @fnpropsguy - thanks!
After a gargantuan 15-game slate on Saturday, the NHL follows up with a gentleman's pair of games to close out the weekend. While perhaps not the most exciting duo of games, they do provide some interesting angles if you're looking to get some NHL player props in tonight.
Here are a few props that stick out to me tonight:
Over in 8 of his last 11 games and 4 of 5 on the road, Montour is averaging 7.2 attempts per game in his last 5 games. Coming off a tough loss to Calgary yesterday, the Panthers travel to Columbus to face the subpar Blue Jackets tonight. Averaging 40+ shots per game on the road, Florida matches up well with a Columbus squad that is near the top of the league in both overall shots allowed and shots allowed to defensemen. Montour hit in 2 of 3 past meetings with CBJ and I like him to continue that trend tonight.
Letang OVER 2.5 Shots on Goal
Coming into tonight's meeting with the Blackhawks, Letang has 8+ shot attempts in 3 of his last 4 games. He has hit in 3 straight games and each of his last two road games. While Chicago isn't at the very top of the league in shots allowed, they are in the top half of the league, and they are in the top 25% for shots allowed to defensemen. In 6 matchups with the Blackhawks as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins dating back to 2017, Letang has 4+ shots on goal in all but one game.
Barkov OVER 3.5 Shots on Goal
I described him to someone yesterday as matchup/situation proof until proven otherwise and I stand by it. Barkov has hit in 6 straight games and each of his last 2 road games. Averaging 6.8 shot attempts overall, his average actually bumps up to 7.6 on the road. As previously mentioned, Columbus is giving up plenty of shots per game and Florida will be looking to get back to their winning ways after their loss to the Flames yesterday.
Bemstrom OVER 2 Shots on Goal
I wouldn't be able to pick Bemstrom out of a lineup, but with injuries to Laine and a number of other starters, it's next man up time and so far, he has delivered on the shot front, with 3+ shots on goal in 4 of 5 games. Averaging 5.2 attempts per game, we just need him to find the goal with 3 of them. Though far from an easy target, Florida has proven to be susceptible to shots from the Right-Wing position, where Bemstrom is starting on the top line.
Forsling OVER 0.5 Points
With points in his last 4 games, Forsling heads into a meeting with a Blue Jackets team allowing 4+ goals a game. Often on the ice with the top talent in Florida's arsenal, this appears to be a good setup for Forsling to continue his points streak.
Zucker OVER 0.5 Points
Seeing a career resurgence here to start the season, Zucker is showing flashes of what Pittsburgh was hoping for when they acquired him from Minnesota (and broke my heart) back in 2020. He has points in 5 of his last 6 games and has 15 total points in 16 games to start the season. With the Blackhawks likely starting Soderblom in net, it seems likely the Penguins will put up at least 2-3 goals if not more. On the 2nd line with Malkin and working on the Power Play, Zucker should have plenty of opportunities to continue a 4 game points streak against Chicago that dates back to 2019 and his playing days with the Wild.
Finally, I have been having some success with under plays the last week or so and I want to highlight a perennial favorite that I will be playing this evening:
Guentzel UNDER 3.5 Shots on Goal
While Guentzel defied expectations vs Minnesota (where he grew up) earlier this week, I like him to go under tonight against Chicago. He has failed to record 4+ shots in 5 of his last 6 games. On the road he has only hit in 2 of 9 games so far this season. He is averaging just 4.6 shot attempts per game (troubling when you need 4 SOG to hit) and in 8 matchups with the Blackhawks dating back to 2017 he has only hit twice. An added bonus, Chicago is in the bottom half of the league in shots allowed to Left Wingers (meaning they allow fewer shots).
That's it for now. Let's have a good night and head into the week with some lunch money in our pocket.
If you'd like to see my daily matchup charts, additional prop analysis, and other NHL content, please give me a follow on Twitter @fnpropsguy - thanks!
Change your outcomes.
Use Me.