Thursday was a bounce-back night for our player props, with Alex Ovechkin and Connor McDavid coming through to give us a 2-1 record.
We'll look to build on it with three more plays for Friday's slate of games.
William Nylander over 3.5 shots (-105)
Although a date with the Wild doesn't seem the most appealing on the surface, there's a lot of reason to believe Nylander can find success shooting the puck Friday night.
His hit rate is 10% higher on home ice than on the road this season. Nylander also shoots the most when skating on a line with Auston Matthews, who recently returned to the lineup.
The 26-year-old has gone over his shot total in three of four games since Matthews rejoined the lineup, coming up just one shy in the lone exception. With 27 shot attempts over that span, his volume has been very promising.
Nylander has a surprisingly strong track record against the Wild: 25 attempts and 14 shots on target over his last three meetings since the beginning of last season.
The Wild take penalties at an above-average clip and are in a road back-to-back. They should be a little more susceptible to giving up shots, which should benefit Nylander.
Kirill Kaprizov under 3.5 shots (-115)
By now, you all know I'm a big fan of Kaprizov when he plays in Minnesota, where he's one of the most consistent volume shooters in the NHL. The same can't be said when playing on the road.
To say there's a drastic difference would be an understatement - it's truly night and day. Kaprizov recorded four or more shots in 58% of his games at home, compared to just 31% on the road. That's a 27% swing.
Kaprizov found success on the road Thursday night against the Blue Jackets, but the Maple Leafs are a much different animal. At five-on-five, they rank top 10 in shot suppression over the last 10 games and don't take many penalties. Kaprizov won't have many easy opportunities to shoot the puck.
In a back-to-back situation against a Maple Leafs team that defends a lot better than it gets credit for, I don't expect Kaprizov to buck that trend.
Nathan MacKinnon over 4.5 shots (-145)
I generally try and recommend plays closer to even money, but MacKinnon is a player worth making exceptions for.
His shot floor and ceiling are as high as anybody in the league. He recorded five shots or more in five straight games and is averaging 5.4 per this season while hitting the over 59% of the time.
MacKinnon has torched the Jets time and time again in recent years, generating a whopping 7.3 shots on goal per meeting over his last six. Insane production.
With Cale Makar sidelined due to a concussion, even more offensive responsibility falls on MacKinnon's shoulders. He produced multiple points and no fewer than six shots on goal in four straight games without Makar, so the forecast is positive.
Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.
We've already witnessed trades for numerous big-name NHL players in the weeks leading up to this season's NHL trade deadline, and there are still seven days to go.
Despite Bo Horvat, Vladimir Tarasenko, and Ryan O'Reilly already having been dealt, there are still a handful of potential moves that would elicit excitement. Not all of them are realistic, but that won't stop us from dreaming up our ideal scenarios.
Here are five swaps we'd love to see before the clock strikes 3 p.m. ET on March 3.
Sharks ship Erik Karlsson to Oilers
Brian Babineau / National Hockey League / Getty
This is the move everybody wants - well, presumably everybody except NHL teams not named the Edmonton Oilers. Hopefully the San Jose Sharks eventually come around and put themselves in the "want to see it" category as well, because this absolutely needs to happen.
We got a taste of what it would look like earlier in February at the All-Star Game, when Pacific Division head coach Bruce Cassidy slotted Karlsson in alongside Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to form a tantalizing three-on-three trio. No one who watched those three play together came away thinking that should be the only time it takes place.
There is of course the rather gargantuan obstacle of Karlsson's contract, which carries an $11.5-million cap hit through 2026-27. It obviously makes a deal difficult, but not impossible. The Oilers could throw together a package of future assets and current NHL players. Tyson Barrie and Jesse Puljujarvi would pretty much have to be involved because of their cap hits, as would at least a first-round pick and a youngster like Dylan Holloway or Philip Broberg. San Jose would need to retain a chunk of Karlsson's salary.
A third team might be required to make sure the Oilers are cap-compliant, but like the Minnesota Wild in the O'Reilly trade, the broker club could receive a prospect or a draft pick in exchange for easing the financial burden. Karlsson will turn 33 on May 31, and the Norris Trophy favorite's offense generally comes at the expense of his defensive responsibilities. He has a history of injuries, too, so that contract could bite whoever's paying it down the road. But the Oilers could use a shot in the arm, and with a little cap creativity, this would be the most entertaining move they could make.
Devils ensnare Meier
Andy Marlin / National Hockey League / Getty
Chances are wherever Timo Meier ends up, it'll be a fun scenario, but we'd love to see the New Jersey Devils land the talented Sharks forward for a few reasons.
First, Meier would make an already aesthetically pleasing club even more fun to watch. The Devils rank near the top of the NHL in goals per game and trail only the Carolina Hurricanes in five-on-five expected goals percentage and scoring chances for percentage this season. New Jersey boasts three of the top 14 NHL forwards in terms of five-on-five xGF% among those with at least 500 minutes played in those situations, and Meier ranks 21st. The Devils have five of the top 35 forwards in SCF% using that criteria, and Meier slots in at 37th. So he'd fit right in.
The Canes would be another intriguing destination for Meier, but this brings us to the second reason we'd prefer to see New Jersey nab him. Carolina is already blessed with more established stars and has more experience as a team. Simply put, the Devils need Meier more than their Metropolitan Division counterparts.
Third, he'd be joining a club that already boasts a pair of players from Switzerland with a third one knocking on the door. Meier's countrymen, Devils captain Nico Hischier and defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler, have played key roles this season, and goaltender Akira Schmid has excelled in his limited NHL opportunities.
Meier's a pending restricted free agent, so the team that acquires him is more likely to sign him to an extension than let him walk in the summer. Since he probably won't be a rental, the Devils would have to pony up. But they could offer their top forward prospect, Alexander Holtz, along with a 2023 first-rounder and additional picks, plus a player like Miles Wood to balance the money.
'HurriKane' warning in effect
Chase Agnello-Dean / National Hockey League / Getty
Carolina would certainly be better off adding Meier. But if the Canes miss out on the league's top deadline target, acquiring Patrick Kane would be a prudent maneuver - and not just because of all the wordplay possibilities.
The obstacles and the reasons for concern are well-known by now. Kane has a full no-trade clause and therefore must consent to the Blackhawks moving him. His cap hit is nearly on par with Karlsson's at $10.5 million. He's a liability on the defensive end, sitting near the bottom of the entire league in both wins above replacement and goals above replacement. He also supposedly has a bad hip, but based on his vintage play of late, that doesn't appear to be a major issue.
The 34-year-old - who has the Hart, Art Ross, Conn Smythe, and Calder trophies on his mantle - has proven this season that he can still contribute offensively. Also, some of the blame for his poor underlying numbers can be placed on his team, which has nosedived this season while shamelessly tanking.
To make a deal like this happen, the Blackhawks would need to retain a sizable portion of Kane's contract, but they have plenty of room to do that and wouldn't be burdened beyond this season because he's a pending UFA. If they keep 50% of it, the Hurricanes could absorb the $5.25-million hit because they're projected to have just over $10 million in deadline cap space. Carolina doesn't have many blue-chip prospects, but the Canes do have "the largest group of relevant prospects in the NHL," according to The Athletic's Corey Pronman. So they could offer Chicago a collection of prospects, picks, and NHLers to get it done.
Goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov is likely off limits considering the uncertain futures of Carolina's top two netminders, but either defenseman Alexander Nikishin - an emerging KHL star - or forward Jack Drury would be a good get for Chicago. The Hurricanes have first-round picks in each of the next three drafts and two second-rounders in 2024, so they could comfortably part with a first and a second. Throw in a young NHLer like Seth Jarvis, and the Blackhawks would be hard-pressed to say no if Kane is open to playing elsewhere.
Maple Leafs reunite with Schenn
Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Much like the Karlsson-to-Oilers dream, this one might not have a great chance of happening. But it would be pretty neat to see the Toronto Maple Leafs turn back the clock and reacquire Luke Schenn, who played his first four seasons with the Leafs after they drafted him fifth overall in 2008.
Toronto already addressed two other needs, reeling in new second-line center Ryan O'Reilly and fourth-liner Noel Acciari up front. But the team still has a bit of wiggle room to address its defense corps. Schenn is one of many blue-liners on the market and the Vancouver Canucks are now holding him out of games to protect their trade asset.
The 33-year-old appears to be fairly highly coveted. That's not surprising considering his status as a pending UFA, an affordable $850,000 cap hit, 15 years of experience, a championship pedigree (two rings with the Tampa Bay Lightning), and the value of right-shot rearguards. There are more talented options available, but they'll cost more in terms of what a team like the Leafs would have to part with in a swap.
Toronto likely wouldn't want to give up a first-rounder for a player of Schenn's ilk, and the club has no second-round picks through 2025. So again, this wouldn't be the most likely pairing of trade partners, but it's not completely far-fetched. The Leafs still have other assets - be it prospects or relatively young players with some value - they could package with a third-round selection. No matter how unlikely it is, there's no denying it would be a good story to see Schenn's career come full circle.
Boeser goes home to the Wild
Jeff Vinnick / National Hockey League / Getty
Another compelling narrative would be a homecoming of a different sort. Canucks forward Brock Boeser is also on the market, and he's one of the best players available. The Wild have a dynamic top line led by Kirill Kaprizov, but they could use another playmaker.
While Boeser's goal-scoring has tapered off this season, he's playing for a lackluster Vancouver squad and has been in and out of the lineup, including as a healthy scratch. The Burnsville, Minnesota-born winger would surely welcome a deal that sends him to his home state, and the Wild could accommodate his contract's $6.65-million average annual value by sending Josh Greenway and his $3-million cap hit the other way along with a draft pick while getting a third "broker" team involved to help balance the books.
Boeser could benefit from a change of scenery, especially one that brings him closer to where he grew up. The Athletic's Michael Russo and Joe Smith reported that Boeser's agent, Ben Hankinson, has been "all over" Wild general manager Bill Guerin trying to make it happen, and for good reason. It would be the perfect fit from both a hockey perspective and for the heartwarming narrative.
Sat and Bik break down the game as the Canucks beat the Blues 3-2 in overtime. Hear from Randip Janda following the game, Rick Tocchet and Elias Pettersson at the podium, and Iain MacIntyre.
This podcast was produced by Josh Elliott-Wolfe.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.
St. Louis Blues head coach Craig Berube let his top players have it following a 3-2 overtime loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday.
"A lot of our best players not doing their job," Berube said.
When asked why, Berube didn't mince words. "I don't know, you'll have to ask them, Jim. I guess they don't care about the team," he said.
Berube said star forwards Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou weren't good enough in a contest that saw the Blues cough up a lead late in regulation, and suggested they take a page out of Alexey Toropchenko's book - one of the few players that drew praise from the frustrated coach.
"Our best players don't play with any passion, no emotion and no inspiration at all," Berube said. "They don't play inspired hockey. You cannot play in this league without emotion, grit, being inspired. They're getting paid lots of money and they're not doing the job. End of story."
Kyrou and Thomas are St. Louis' two leading scorers on the year, but were held off the scoresheet Thursday and were minus-3 collectively.
Toropchenko questioned the Blues' effort level as well.
"Even if we are not in a playoff spot, I will do everything because it's a hockey game," he said, per NHL.com's Lou Korac. "This is NHL. You are not playing in a beer league or something. You need to show something, you need to show character and be strong everywhere, play from your heart."
The Blues are essentially out of the Western Conference playoff picture with 56 points on the year, and management signified their intentions of planning for the future by trading core veterans Vladimir Tarasenko and Ryan O'Reilly earlier this month.
St. Louis returns to the ice Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Dan and Sat discuss how the Luke Schenn trade market might be impacted by the Boston Bruins acquiring Dmitry Orlov. Also, hear from John Garrett on the goaltending situation, the team's defence, and more.
This podcast was produced by Josh Elliott-Wolfe.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.
The Capitals will retain 50% of Orlov's salary as part of the trade. The Minnesota Wild are also retaining an additional 25% and sent Boston the rights to forward Andrei Svetlakov in exchange for the Bruins' 2023 fifth-round pick.
Boston's pair of new acquisitions can both become unrestricted free agents in the summer. Before retention, Orlov carried a cap hit of $5.1 million, but he'll now cost the Bruins $1.275 million. Hathaway, meanwhile, comes with a $1.5-million price tag.
Orlov and Hathaway were set to be scratched for Thursday's game against the Anaheim Ducks due to trade-related reasons.
Boston has been a dominant force all season long, sitting atop the league with a 43-8-5 record. The Bruins are on pace for 133 points and 63 wins, which would set two NHL records.
By adding Orlov and Hathaway, Boston has done well to shore up its blue line and bottom-six forward group.
Hathaway, 31, has nine goals and seven assists in 59 games this season while leading the Capitals with 198 hits and pacing all Washington forwards with 65 blocks.
Orlov, 31, ranks second on the Caps in average ice time (22:43) while chipping in with three goals, 19 points, 88 hits, and 62 blocks in 43 games.
Extensions for Hathaway and Orlov did not appear to be imminent.
"This trade allows us to acquire draft capital, infuse youth, and restock our system," Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said. "While this season has proven challenging with injuries to our significant players, we are in a position to use some of our current assets to retool our club and build a competitive team moving forward."
On the Capitals' end, Smith, 33, has logged four goals and six assists in 42 games this season.
Rounding out Boston's haul, Svetlakov was selected by the Wild in the sixth round of the 2017 draft. The 26-year-old has 27 points in 66 KHL games this campaign.
Deals for either player don't appear to be imminent. Protecting assets has become a theme across the NHL leading up to March 3, with Jakob Chychrun and Luke Schenn, among others, finding themselves in the press box as their respective teams navigate trade waters.
Both Orlov and Hathaway are pending unrestricted free agents.
Orlov carries a $5.1-million cap hit, and has been one of Washington's top defenders for years. This season, he's chipped in 19 points, 62 blocks, and 88 hits while averaging nearly 23 minutes per contest.
Hathaway earns $1.5 million per year, and is a useful bottom-six player. The rugged right winger has recorded 16 points and 198 hits in 2022-23.
A five-game losing streak has dropped the Capitals two points back of the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference entering Thursday's game.
Tierney has two goals and three points in 13 games with the Florida Panthers this season, along with three goals and 16 points in 20 AHL contests with the Charlotte Checkers.
The 28-year-old is a veteran of 574 NHL games. His best offensive season came in 2018-19 with the Ottawa Senators when he scored nine goals and 48 points in 81 games.
Tierney has a league-minimum cap hit of $750,000 and is a pending unrestricted free agent.
