All posts by Todd Cordell

Back red-hot Caufield to exploit struggling Senators on Tuesday

We have a busy nine-game slate ahead of us on Tuesday night, which means there is no shortage of value to comb through.

Let's take a closer look at a few of my favorite player props.

Alex DeBrincat: Over 2.5 shots

DeBrincat has some of the most extreme home splits you will see. He has registered at least three shots on goal in 17 of 23 games on home ice, good for a whopping 74% success rate. That number drops to 43% when playing on the road.

He was recently taken off the top line and power play, but it may prove to be beneficial, as Dylan Larkin is a high-volume shooter who matches up against the stiffest competition on a nightly basis.

Getting DeBrincat away from Larkin means there's more puck to go around. It will also help him avoid Dallas' new-look top line of Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, and Wyatt Johnston, which has completely dominated teams thus far.

He should instead see plenty of the second line featuring Matt Duchene and Tyler Seguin. They are talented but much more susceptible to conceding shots and scoring chances.

Look for DeBrincat to make the most of his cushy usage at home.

Odds: -134 (playable to -150)

Cole Caufield: Over 3.5 shots

Caufield enters this game firing on all cylinders. He has scored a goal in five consecutive games and, despite being a player who is normally matchup-dependent, registered at least four shots against top-tier teams like the Oilers and Bruins.

Now Caufield finds himself in a great spot at home against a bottom-feeding Senators team. Caufield has fared much better in Montreal this season, posting a hit rate 13% higher than on the road.

He has also routinely feasted against teams on the outside of a playoff spot. The Senators certainly qualify, as they sit 29th in the NHL and have struggled mightily on the defensive side of the puck.

Caufield faced the Senators a couple of games ago and registered four shots on nine attempts. That is very strong volume, especially considering the game was on the road and Montreal couldn't control matchups.

With Caufield red hot, and at home against a weak defensive team, the stars are aligning for another strong offensive performance.

Odds: -110 (playable to -135)

Artemi Panarin: Over 3.5 shots

This one is pretty cut and dry. Panarin has averaged four shots per game this season on a hair under eight attempts. He consistently generates strong volume and often gets the job done, no matter the opponent.

It just so happens that Panarin has the juiciest matchup he could ask for against the basement-dwelling Sharks, who have bled shots all season long and rank dead last in shot suppression on the year. They will have a miserable time slowing Panarin down, be it at even strength or on the power play.

Fatigue could be a factor as well. The Sharks played a high-event overtime game against the Kings on Monday night and now have a quick turnaround against one of the league's better teams.

This is also an important game for New York, who stumbled a bit of late, winning just four of its last 10 games. Its lead atop the Metro Division is shrinking, so the team can't afford to take the Sharks lightly and squander this opportunity.

I expect the Rangers to pile up the shots from start to finish with Panarin at the forefront of the action.

Odds: -118 (playable to -130)

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X at @ToddCordell.

Copyright © 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NHL Friday best bets: Hyman to star on Broadway

Thursday was another profitable night on the ice. We posted a 3-2 record and both losses came by the slimmest of margins. The Canucks blew a late lead and lost in overtime while Rasmus Dahlin missed the net on five attempts and fell one shot shy as a result.

We'll look to end the week strong with three plays for Friday's four-game slate.

Zach Hyman: Over 3.5 shots

Hyman is skating alongside Connor McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on the top line, and their numbers are astronomically good. They're arguably the best forward unit in the NHL.

That trio holds a 203-97 edge in terms of shot attempts and has outchanced opponents 123-50. That translates to a +10 goal differential in just 130 minutes of ice. Insane numbers across the board.

With the Oilers spending so much time in the offensive zone - and generating such volume - it's no surprise Hyman is benefiting from that.

He's averaging more than 12 shots on goal per 60 minutes with McDavid as his center at even strength. That number drops to 9.4 with Leon Draisaitl.

We see even larger discrepancies in how Hyman fares with Nugent-Hopkins as opposed to Evander Kane. He's generating nearly 13 shots on goal per 60 with RNH compared to 7.66 with Kane.

Given his spot alongside McDavid and RNH, it's no coincidence Hyman has registered at least four shots in eight of the past 10 games. He finished with three shots in both exceptions, and he was skating on the second line in one of them.

As long as he remains on this version of the top line, there will continue to be real value in backing him.

Odds: -118 (playable to -140)

Gabriel Vilardi: Over 2.5 shots

Vilardi has generated at least three shots on goal in each of the six games he's filled in for the injured Kyle Connor on the top line and power-play unit. He's also notched 11 points in that span.

He's averaging better than five shot attempts per game without Connor. That may not sound like a lot for someone going over his total every night, but Vilardi's different than many players. He lives around the net and almost all of his opportunities come from high-danger areas. That means his average shot distance is low, making it a lot easier to hit the target.

Put another way, he's selective with his looks and only takes high-quality shots. An average of 5.1 attempts would be concerning for someone like Alex Ovechkin, who posts up above the circles and takes a lot of shots from range.

Vilardi seems to have tremendous chemistry with Mark Scheifele and Nikolaj Ehlers, the Jets' two leaders in assists up front. Both are more than happy to distribute the puck and plenty capable of finding Vilardi around the net.

The Bruins are an excellent team but have given up plenty of volume of late, ranking 26th in shot suppression over the past 10 games. They've also given up the third-most shots against on the road this season.

Odds: -110 (playable to -135)

Cole Caufield: Over 3.5 shots

Caufield has been pretty matchup-dependent this season. He hasn't had much shooting success against playoff teams but has feasted on weaker opponents, registering four shots against the Wild, five against the Ducks, six against the Penguins, six against the Sharks, and nine against the Sabres.

Caufield has a mouthwatering matchup on Friday night in Chicago. The Blackhawks are one of the league's worst defensive teams and rank 30th in five-on-five shot suppression over the last 10 games.

There should be no shortage of opportunities for Caufield to pile up the shots.

Odds: -135 (playable to -150)

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @ToddCordell.

Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NHL Thursday best bets: Trust Vancouver as road underdog

We bounced back in a big way Wednesday night, sweeping the board on our best bets to push our weekly record to 8-5 between props, sides, and totals.

Let's look at a couple of matchups where I see value Thursday night.

Canucks (+130) @ Stars (-150)

The Stars are in a rut. Things don't look too bad on the surface - they're 5-3-2 over the last 10 - but the picture isn't as bright when you look closer.

They've controlled only 45.94% of the expected goals at five-on-five and conceded more goals per 60 than all but the Blues in that time. Strong defense and goaltending are calling cards for the Stars, so to be lacking in both areas is not only uncommon but concerning.

Jake Oettinger, who's struggled, is now sidelined with an injury. That leaves Scott Wedgewood as the temporary No. 1. Although he owns a 7-2-1 record, Wedgewood has conceded well over three goals per game and grades out as a slight negative in terms of Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAE). He probably won't steal games and mask all of Dallas' mistakes.

This is also a very tough matchup for the Stars. The Canucks are loaded with high-end finishers (Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser, J.T. Miller, etc.) who've helped the team shoot the lights out all season long. If Dallas plays leaky defense in front of a backup goaltender, the team will likely pay the price.

Although the Canucks have also seen a dip in their five-on-five play of late, Thatcher Demko is more than capable of masking their mistakes. He leads the league in GSAE by a healthy margin, shaving nearly five more goals off expectation than second-place Jeremy Swayman.

With a goaltending edge and a more in-form offense, I see value backing the Canucks as road underdogs.

Bet: Canucks (+130)

Coyotes (-150) @ Sharks (+130)

There was a time when the Sharks were playing respectable hockey and grinding out wins against quality sides. That time has passed.

San Jose now looks more like the team we saw back in October. The Sharks have dropped three in a row and six of 10 while posting some putrid metrics.

No team has allowed five-on-five shots or expected goals at a higher rate over the last 10 games. San Jose is back to spending most of its games on its heels, asking far too much from a mediocre goaltending tandem.

Led by Connor Ingram, the Coyotes have allowed next to nothing for quite some time. They play a very low-event brand of hockey, and Ingram has slammed the door shut whenever asked.

Only Filip Gustavsson, Connor Hellebuyck, Ilya Sorokin, and Juuse Saros have saved more goals above expected over the past month. Ingram will make it very difficult on a Sharks team that struggles to finish its chances at the best of times.

Offensively, it's worth noting that the Coyotes are one of the league's better teams at working the puck into the slot and scoring from high-danger areas. This young Sharks defense won't provide much resistance.

This game sets up nicely for the Coyotes to have success at both ends of the ice. Look for them to grind out a road win within 60 minutes.

Bet: Coyotes in regulation (+100)

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @ToddCordell.

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NHL Thursday player props: Nylander to exploit struggling Sabres

Wednesday was a strong night on the ice as we won all three bets, including a pair of shot props.

Let's take a closer look at three of my favorites for Thursday's monster slate.

William Nylander: Over 3.5 shots

Nylander has been quiet of late when it comes to shot generation, finishing with three or fewer in four of his past six games.

It's no coincidence that Nylander struggled against playoff teams like the Rangers and Predators while getting the job done against weaker opponents in the Blue Jackets and Penguins.

The Sabres fit into the latter group. They've won just 13 of 33 games this season and have struggled mightily on the defensive side of things. They give up chances in bulk and tend to find themselves in high-event games more often than not.

That should create the perfect game environment for Nylander, who has torched the Sabres in the past. Nylander has faced the Sabres three times this calendar year, going over his total in all three while combining to pile up 17 shots on goal, nearly six per game.

Odds: -120 (playable to -140)

Rasmus Dahlin: Over 2.5 shots

Dahlin has gone over his shot total in 10 consecutive games. He has averaged four shots on goal per game during this stretch, so it's not as if he's just squeaking by. He is often getting the job done with room to spare.

With the Sabres struggling, and key forwards jumping in and out of the lineup due to injury, Dahlin has taken it upon himself to get more involved offensively. It's paying off for him; he has nine points and 40 shots over the last 10 games.

What I love about Dahlin is how much ice time he gets. He's playing well over 25 minutes per game right now and has logged fewer than 23 minutes only once during this hot streak. Even in games that aren't all that close, he is playing as much as possible to try and turn things around. That is very important in creating a strong floor and ceiling.

Playing a boatload of minutes in a high-paced matchup against a division rival, the game situation couldn't be much better for Dahlin to have success.

Look for the Sabres' star defenseman to extend his shooting streak to 11 games.

Odds: -114 (playable to -130)

Carter Verhaeghe: Over 3.5 shots

Verhaeghe is a monster on home ice. He has averaged 8.1 shot attempts per game in Florida this season, which is drastically higher than he's managed on the road (6.2).

That has translated to more success. Verhaeghe has a 62% hit rate in Florida compared to only 44% when away from home.

Verhaeghe has predictably fared better against non-playoff sides and weaker defensive teams. Over the past 10 home games, he failed to get the job done against the Jets, Bruins, Hurricanes, and low-event Kraken.

His hits came against the Blackhawks, Blue Jackets, Oilers, Penguins, Stars, and Islanders. That's a batch consisting almost exclusively of teams outside the playoff picture as well as one of the worst shot-suppression sides in the Islanders.

The Blues' defensive metrics have seen a bit of a bump since the coaching change, but there is only so much their subpar defense can do. A road game against a high-end Panthers team is not a spot where they're likely to hold up, and Verhaeghe should be one of the prime beneficiaries.

Odds: -110 (playable to -130)

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @ToddCordell.

Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NHL Wednesday best bets: Ovechkin to pepper defenseless Islanders

After a fantastic start to the week, we suffered a setback Tuesday night. Connor McDavid hit the net on only three of 10 attempts - we needed four - to give us a losing night in the prop market while a late 3-1 lead for the Senators quickly turned into a 4-3 deficit, causing the game to go over.

We'll take our lumps and look to get back on track with three bets for Wednesday's small card.

Kraken (+145) @ Kings (-170)

This has all the makings of a tight affair. The Kings play a very low-event brand of hockey built to suck the offense out of games. That shows up in the numbers - especially lately.

The Kings have conceded only 1.80 goals and 21 shots per 60 minutes of five-on-five play this month. That goal total is the fourth-lowest in the league, and the shot total is nearly four clear of the next closest team.

Los Angeles also saved Cam Talbot - who owns a remarkable .926 save percentage on the campaign - for the latter half of the back-to-back. His solid play is problematic for opponents who will find it difficult to generate shots in the first place.

On the other side, Seattle's missing several key contributors. They've struggled to score goals at the best of times and the absences of Andre Burakovsky, Jaden Schwartz, and Justin Schultz only make matters worse.

Although Seattle's dealt with goaltending issues this season, the team found a way to play defensive hockey and keep things tight. The Kraken sit 26th in five-on-five goals and eighth in goals allowed per 60 minutes during December. They're not scoring, but they're not giving much up.

Because the Kings play a similar style and won't be looking to open things up in a back-to-back situation, I can see this game coming in several goals below the total.

Bet: Under 6.5 (-140)

Gabriel Vilardi: Over 2.5 shots

Vilardi continues to shine with top-line winger Kyle Connor sidelined. He's been a focal point of the first line and top power-play unit and has taken full advantage, recording at least three shots in five consecutive games while piling up eight points.

He's also attempted at least five shots in all but one game, settling at four in the exception. Four is a key number for Vilardi, who lives around the net and is very accurate with his shots. Dating back to last season, he's gone over his total in 32 of 43 games when attempting at least four shots. That's a 74% hit rate.

Skating with Mark Scheifele and Nikolaj Ehlers - two of the Jets' three leaders in assists - Vilardi consistently finds himself with the puck on his stick in a shooting position. The results speak for themselves.

Meanwhile, the Red Wings are struggling defensively. Only two teams have conceded five-on-five shots at a higher rate over the past 10 games. They've also taken a lot of penalties.

This is a prime spot for Vilardi and the Jets' top line to make some noise.

Odds: -110 (playable to -130)

Alex Ovechkin: Over 3.5 shots

The Islanders have had problems limiting shots all season and are showing no signs of improvement. They rank dead last in shot attempts allowed per 60 minutes over the last 10 games.

Ovechkin isn't having the year people expected but is still capable of piling up the looks against vulnerable defenses. He's stared the Isles down twice this season, and the prolific Russian generated at least eight attempts in each contest and a combined total of eight shots.

We've also seen a recent uptick from Ovechkin. He's averaging 8.4 shot attempts over his last five games, which is noticeably higher than his season average of 7.5.

Against a struggling, banged up defense in a back-to-back situation, Ovechkin should have plenty of opportunities to fire the puck.

Odds: -130 (playable to -140)

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @ToddCordell.

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NHL Tuesday best bets: Senators to tighten up after coaching change

We have a massive 11-game slate ahead of us on Tuesday night. Let's take a look at my favorite ways to attack it as we look to build on a 4-1 start to the week between best bets and player props.

Avalanche (-250) @ Blackhawks (+210)

The Blackhawks are playing some truly miserable hockey right now. They have dropped four consecutive games, eight of the last 10, and controlled a league-low 38% of the expected goals share at five-on-five during that stretch.

They are consistently being outplayed by their opponents and don't have the talent to make up for that. The Blackhawks can't outscore their problems, nor can they bank on getting enough saves to mask them.

Things went from bad to worse a few games ago when Seth Jones suffered an injury. Although he is eligible to be activated from injured reserve at any point, there is still no official timetable for his return. That tells me it is very unlikely he will play against the Avalanche.

An already bad Blackhawks team would be in a world of trouble against the Avalanche at full health. Without Jones, the mountain will be that much harder to climb.

The Blackhawks have been outscored by 23 goals at five-on-five this season, yet Jones owns an even goal differential in that game state. He has played well for them.

I expect the Avalanche - who just lost the top spot in the Central Division - to completely overwhelm a thin Blackhawks defense with all of their firepower.

Eight of Chicago's last 10 losses have come by multiple goals. That trend should continue against one of the league's best teams.

Bet: Avalanche -1.5 (+100)

Senators (-120) @ Coyotes (+100)

Offense has not been an issue for the Senators this season. They rank 10th in goals per game, eighth in shots per game, and have no problem ramping things up when needed.

Their biggest concern has been at the other end of the rink. They make too many mistakes defensively, be it poor puck management in risky areas of the ice or blown assignments without the puck. The fact that D.J. Smith couldn't fix those problems is why he is no longer coaching the team.

Tightening the screws is going to be a big point of emphasis for interim coach Jacques Martin. He is a veteran coach who demands respect and will want to see a lot more structure and discipline from his players. I expect there to be a noticeable difference on the defensive side of things.

This is also a perfect matchup to slow things down and focus on playing a smarter, more responsible game. The Coyotes play a very low-event brand of hockey, and goals have been few and far between for them and their opponents in recent weeks.

The Coyotes have scored 1.99 goals per 60 minutes of five-on-five play in December. That is a bottom-five rate in the league. They have also conceded just 1.87 goals per 60 minutes, which is a top-five rate.

Put another way, the Coyotes are not scoring or allowing goals. They're playing slow, methodical hockey and banking on Connor Ingram to bring them home by keeping things locked down in goal - and it has worked for them.

Given the success the Coyotes have enjoyed playing this brand of hockey, there is no reason for them to open things up on Tuesday night. And, again, I expect the Senators to lean into a more conservative, responsible style under Martin - at least in the early going while they adjust to line changes and different schemes.

Bet: Under 6.5 (-110)

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @ToddCordell.

Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NHL Tuesday player props: Will Dahlin extend shooting streak to 10 games?

We swept the board with our player props on Monday night, hitting a pair of overs and Cole Caufield's under to go a perfect 3-0.

We'll look to replicate Monday's success with three more props for Tuesday's massive card.

Jack Hughes: Over 4.5 shots

Hughes has been a shooting machine since returning from injury, particularly when playing at home.

He has taken his shot volume to an unmatched level, recording 45 shots on goal and 75 attempts over the last seven games in New Jersey. That equates to 6.4 shots on 10.7 attempts.

Expect another big output from Hughes against the Flyers. The Devils have not started the season as well as expected, but they can get themselves back into a playoff spot tonight with a big divisional win. Hughes will undoubtedly get all the ice he can handle and be up for the big moment as someone who embraces being the team's go-to guy.

The Flyers are a strong shot-suppression team, but Philadelphia doesn't control matchups on the road. That means Hughes will see a lot less of Selke candidate Sean Couturier than he would if the game was in Philadelphia.

Hughes also had a ceiling game the last time these two sides met, generating nine shots on 15 attempts while logging more than 23 minutes in a hotly contested affair.

He will likely struggle to match those totals this time around, but there's plenty of room for him to see a dip in production and still get the job done.

Odds: +120 (playable to -120)

Rasmus Dahlin: Over 2.5 shots

Dahlin is on a run. He's registered at least three shots in nine consecutive games, finishing with four or more in seven of them.

The Sabres have dealt with a lot of injuries to key forwards. Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch, and Jeff Skinner have been in and out of the lineup. That's led to more falling on the plate of Dahlin, who is clearly up to the task.

Dahlin has averaged a healthy 6.6 shot attempts per game during this hot streak. That is well above his season average of 5.4, suggesting his recent success has come from more sustainable outputs rather than just getting lucky and hitting the net on a higher percentage of shots.

The Sabres appear to be getting a little healthier up front, but I still love Dahlin in this spot because the matchup is as good as it gets.

The Blue Jackets have bled shots all season long and struggled mightily to slow down opposing defensemen. In fact, only the Ducks have allowed more shots per game to the position over the last 10.

With Dahlin finding himself in a fast-paced matchup against a team that can't defend, he should be able to extend his streak to 10 straight games with at least three shots.

Odds: -135 (playable to -150)

Connor McDavid: Over 3.5 shots

McDavid hasn't generated shots at the same rate this season, but he is trending in the right direction. He has averaged 7.4 attempts per game over the past five, which is well ahead of his season average of 5.9.

He is in a fantastic spot to continue climbing out of his shell on Tuesday night. McDavid will square off against an Islanders team that ranks last in shot-attempt prevention over the last 10 games. These aren't the Islanders that played air-tight, low-event hockey under Barry Trotz.

The Isles trade shots and chances every single night, relying on great goaltending and improved finishing with Bo Horvat in the mix.

This game should have somewhat of a track-meet feel in terms of the volume of shots and chances. McDavid will no doubt be at the forefront of it all.

Odds: -125 (playable to -140)

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @ToddCordell.

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NHL Monday player props: Vilardi to take flight vs. Canadiens

We finished last week on a strong note, falling one Artemi Panarin shot shy of sweeping our player props.

Let's look at three bets that pop off the page on Monday as we look to pick up where we left off.

Alex DeBrincat: Over 3.5 shots

DeBrincat has been a proficient shot-generator at home this season. He's averaged 3.6 shots on 6.3 attempts and gone over his total in 11 of 16 tries.

That's much higher than his totals on the road, where he's managed four shots on 14 attempts and averaged fewer than three shots on goal per game.

DeBrincat has been a little cold of late, but that can partly be attributed to Patrick Kane's return. With the future Hall of Famer on his line, his shot volume has been drastically lower than it was when he played with other Red Wings. He's likely spent too much time deferring to the future Hall of Famer.

On Monday night, DeBrincat is expected to skate on a line with Lucas Raymond and Joe Veleno. That's a big plus: DeBrincat averages nearly 11 shots on goal per 60 minutes with those two players. Comparatively, he averages 6.74 per 60 with Kane.

He also has a mouthwatering matchup against a Ducks team that gives up a ton of shots. Anaheim also takes penalties at the highest rate in the league, so DeBrincat should get plenty of opportunities on the man advantage.

Odds: +120 (playable to -120)

Gabriel Vilardi: Over 2.5 shots

Kyle Connor recently suffered an injury and, in each of the four games since, Vilardi has recorded at least three shots on goal.

Vilardi is playing on the first line alongside Mark Scheifele and Nikolaj Ehlers, as well as on the top power-play unit. He's in a prime spot for offensive success.

Although we're still dealing with small samples, Vilardi's outputs have drastically improved since he's been on the first line. Beside Scheifele, Vilardi's averaging well over 20 attempts per 60 minutes, and his shot rate jumps to 27 per 60 with Ehlers on his line.

He's generating a lot of high-quality opportunities playing with those two and there's no reason to expect any different against the Canadiens. They're one of the worst teams in the league at suppressing shots five-on-five and are horrendous on the penalty kill. Vilardi will likely continue his success in such a friendly matchup.

Odds: -105 (playable to -125)

Cole Caufield: Under 3.5 shots

Caufield is a fairly consistent shooter at home but, on the road, his volume seems very dependent on his opponent's caliber.

In the last handful of road games, Caufield failed to get the job done against the Coyotes, Red Wings, Bruins, and Kings, who are all holding onto postseason spots.

Caufield couldn't find success against quality opponents but registered five shots or more against non-playoff teams in the Blues, Ducks, Sharks, and Sabres.

The Jets are a win out of first place in the Central Division - which features multiple Stanley Cup contenders - so they certainly classify as quality competition. They're also very good at slowing a game's pace and limiting shots, which should lead to a dip in Caufield's shooting floor and ceiling.

Odds: -115 (playable to -130)

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @ToddCordell.

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NHL Friday best bets: Coyotes to rebound vs. Sharks

Thursday was a mixed bag on the ice. Both sides we backed struggled en route to ugly road losses, but all three player props cashed to give us a profitable night overall.

We'll look to build on it with a couple more plays for Friday night.

Ducks (+250) @ Rangers (-300)

Lukas Dostal started the season with three quality showings, but the wheels have completely fallen off.

Since Oct. 27, Dostal has recorded an absurdly low .865 save percentage while conceding nearly six goals more than expected. He ranks near the bottom of the league in both categories.

Only one of Dostal's seven appearances in that span has featured fewer than seven combined goals. It was a 1-0 game against an abysmal Blackhawks team that has next to no offensive ability beyond rookie Connor Bedard.

Dostal figures to be in for a tough night against the Rangers. They own a 9-3 home record and are netting nearly 3.5 goals per game in their building.

The stars are aligning for a big offensive output from New York in this game. Not only is Dostal struggling mightily, but the Ducks are the league's most undisciplined team.

A lethal power play featuring Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, and Adam Fox should have ample opportunity to go to work - a good recipe for offense.

The Ducks should also be able to chip in a couple of goals. They've been forced to outscore their problems all season and are no strangers to shootouts.

As well as Jonathan Quick has played this campaign, he has largely struggled in recent seasons. There's reason to believe he's playing over his head. And we may be at the start of some of that regression, as he owns a negative goals-saved-above-expectation total over the past three games, which includes a date against the Sharks.

The Ducks may also be getting some firepower back in their lineup. Mason McTavish, who ranks second on the team in goals, is a game-time decision and may return tonight.

That would be a welcomed addition. Either way, the Rangers are primed for a big outburst against Dostal and look more than capable of doing the heavy lifting to take this game over the number.

Bet: Over 6.5 (+105)

Sharks (+160) @ Coyotes (-190)

The Sharks and Coyotes - somewhat shockingly - are on completely different trajectories right now. San Jose has won six of its last 10 and picked up at least a point in eight of those games.

Meanwhile, Arizona has dropped four consecutive contests since its level of goaltending has returned to earth.

This is a good spot to buy a little low on the Coyotes and back them to regain their groove.

Arizona has enjoyed success at home this season, winning eight of 13 games and besting teams like the Golden Knights, Lightning, and Avalanche. An ugly road trip doesn't take away from that.

On the flip side, the Sharks own a 3-11-1 road record this campaign. Scoring more than a goal or two in a contest has been challenging for them.

Although San Jose deserves credit for its recent run of play, keeping things in perspective is important.

The Sharks still lack high-end talent in any position. They don't have much in terms of firepower up front and impactful defenders. Their goaltending tandem is also a couple of castaways.

The Coyotes may not be as good as some suggested when they took out all the recent Stanley Cup winners every other night. But they're still a competitive, well-coached team that plays its best hockey on home ice.

I expect Arizona to kick off this three-game home stretch with a much-needed win against one of the league's bottom-feeders. Look for the Coyotes to take care of business within 60 minutes.

Bet: Coyotes in regulation (-125)

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @ToddCordell.

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NHL Friday player props: Panarin to pounce on Ducks

Thursday night was great for our player props, as all three of our shooters came through with room to spare.

We'll look to build on that success and finish the week on a high with three more props for Friday's card.

Artemi Panarin: Over 3.5 shots

Panarin is a monster in New York. He's attempted 109 shots through 12 games, averaging over nine per contest. And Panarin's well clear of the next closest Ranger, sitting 30 attempts above second-place Vincent Trocheck.

What I love about Panarin is there's great consistency attached. He's not somebody who piles up double-digit attempts one night and fires three toward goal the next. The numbers are consistently high.

Panarin has attempted at least seven shots in 11 of 12 home games this season. He's giving himself a legitimate chance to hit the over every night.

There's no reason to expect anything different from Panarin against the Ducks. They're one of the league's worst defensive teams, and they've taken penalties in bulk all season.

No club has spent more time in the penalty box this campaign than Anaheim. The same can be said when isolating the last 10 games.

Panarin happens to be New York's leading shot-taker on the power play. He should be the prime beneficiary of a mouthwatering matchup.

Odds: -130 (playable to -150)

Matias Maccelli: Over 2.5 shots

Maccelli is red-hot. He's registered at least three shots in six of the past seven contests, falling short only against a low-event Capitals team.

The 23-year-old winger finds himself in a great spot to continue his success against the Sharks. Although it's won its fair share of games lately, San Jose continues to struggle defensively, sitting 29th in shots allowed per game over the last 10.

Based on how the Coyotes deploy their lines, their second unit - which features Maccelli - will likely see a ton of the Sharks' bottom six. That group is paper thin and bleeds shots and expected goals, giving Maccelli and Co. a cakewalk matchup to exploit.

Expect another active offensive performance from Maccelli against one of the league's worst teams.

Odds: +120 (playable to -125)

Jack Eichel: Over 3.5 shots

Eichel has been a model of consistency this season. He's registered four-plus shots in 18 of 30 games, good for a 60% hit rate. He also hasn't gone more than two straight contests without going over his total, which happens to be the streak he's riding now.

Eichel should be able to ramp things up again versus his former team. The Sabres have gone through their share of defensive issues this campaign, and they likely won't spend as much time on their front foot with Jeff Skinner missing from the lineup.

I think the Golden Knights will have a lot of the puck in this game. Eichel torched the Sabres for four points and seven shots on 10 attempts the last time these sides met.

Those kinds of outputs will be difficult to match, but Eichel should be plenty involved again.

Odds: -122 (playable to -140)

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @ToddCordell.

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