Find year-round coverage of betting news and insights for all sports by visiting our Betting section and subscribing to push notifications.

We have a five-game slate ahead of us on Friday. Let's look at a few of my favorite props as we aim to rebound from a tough night on the ice.

Connor Bedard: Over 0.5 goals

Bedard has scored just one goal over his past 10 games. Friday night offers him a good opportunity to get back on track.

The Predators sit in the bottom five in shots against over the last 10 games. They've also given up more volume to opposing centers than any other team during that stretch, which should help raise Bedard's shooting floor and ceiling.

And there's the good old-fashioned due factor. Bedard has generated 33 scoring chances and 35 shots on goal over his past 10 games. His outputs translate to 3.39 expected goals, but he's only found the back of the net once.

Bedard is a high-end finisher who's converted on nearly 11% of his shots this season. It's abnormal for him to run this dry. Given the volume we've seen from him of late - and how much the Predators have conceded - this is a good spot for him to find the back of the net.

Odds: +190 (playable to +175)

Evan Bouchard: Over 0.5 assists

Bouchard is an assist machine. He's registered 62 helpers through 77 games and has done his best work on home soil - where he finds himself on Friday night.

He's assisted on at least one goal in nine of his past 10, 12 of the past 15, and 21 of the last 30 in Edmonton. Those remarkably high success rates show he's in good form and can sustain these numbers over the long haul.

The blue-liner is in an elite matchup to continue his hot streak. The Coyotes have struggled to keep the puck out of the net all season and show no signs of improvement. Only four teams have conceded more goals than the Yotes (35) over the last 10 games.

Arizona gives up a lot of quality chances, and discipline is an issue. Edmonton is lethal on the power play (Bouchard runs point on the top unit) and might be the last team you want to run into penalty trouble against.

Whether Connor McDavid plays or not, the Oilers are primed to make some noise offensively. Look for Bouchard's puck-distributing skills to lead to at least one marker.

Odds: -140 (playable to -155)

Noah Hanifin: Over 0.5 points

Hanifin is in the best role imaginable with the Golden Knights. He's getting a ton of the ice time at even strength behind Jack Eichel and the team's lethal top line, which raises his offensive ceiling.

Rightly or wrongly, Hanifin also unseated Shea Theodore as the quarterback of the top power-play unit. He's getting optimal deployment to create offense. It's clearly paying off: Hanifin has four points over his past four games despite the Golden Knights losing three of them.

Vegas is in a good spot to rebound Friday night at home versus a Wild team playing for nothing. I expect the Golden Knights to put their best foot forward in a winning effort and Hanifin to find the scoresheet along the way.

Odds: +110 (playable to -120)

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.

Find year-round coverage of betting news and insights for all sports by visiting our Betting section and subscribing to push notifications.

We have a busy 10-game card ahead of us Thursday night. There's plenty of value on the board, but I see most in backing a couple of teams that still have a lot on the line. Let's look closer.

Devils (+170) @ Maple Leafs (-200)

The Devils appear ready to pack things in and call it a season. Despite getting high-end goaltending from Jake Allen, the club has won just six of its 16 games since deadline day.

New Jersey has controlled only 44% of the expected goal share in that span, putting it in the company of teams like the Blue Jackets and Ducks. And things are only getting worse.

With the playoffs completely out of the picture, the Devils have shut down Jack Hughes. That removes the most dynamic player from a lineup already looking pretty thin.

There isn't much meat on the bone remaining for a New Jersey team playing out its final string of games, while the Maple Leafs have plenty of incentive to put their best foot forward.

Home ice in the first round is still on the table for Toronto. The club's also chasing history with a 70-goal campaign very much within Auston Matthews' grasp.

The Maple Leafs are in much better form than the Devils and have a lot more to play for. I expect that to shine through en route to a win inside 60 minutes.

Bet: Maple Leafs in regulation (-125)

Canadiens (+175) @ Islanders (-210)

The Canadiens stomped the Flyers last time they played, but don't let that result fool you. Montreal has played poorly lately, particularly on the defensive side of the ice.

The Habs have given up an alarming amount of shots, chances, and expected goals over the past 10 games and rank in the bottom three in each category.

The Islanders aren't the most prolific offensive team. However, they have some players at the top of the lineup who can make you pay, namely Bo Horvat, Mathew Barzal, Brock Nelson, and Noah Dobson.

Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault has performed well this season, but his game has dipped lately. He's allowed three goals or more in eight of the past 11 starts and won only three of those.

With just five goals against over the last four contests, New York is doing a great job limiting opposing offenses. Montreal will have difficulty keeping up offensively with an Islanders squad still trying to clinch a playoff spot.

New York has won five in a row and six of seven. Look for the red-hot Islanders to pick up another two points in regulation.

Bet: Islanders in regulation (-135)

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.

Find year-round coverage of betting news and insights for all sports by visiting our Betting section and subscribing to push notifications.

We have one of our last jam-packed cards of the season Thursday night. Let's waste no time getting to our bets.

Auston Matthews: Over 4.5 shots

Matthews is firing on all cylinders as he continues his quest for 70 goals. He leads the NHL in scoring chances over the past 10 games and has recorded more shots on goal than all but Nathan MacKinnon in that span.

Playing with Max Domi has seen Matthews hit a different gear shooting the puck. Matthews attempts nearly 10 more shots per 60 minutes of five-on-five play when riding shotgun with Domi over Mitch Marner or William Nylander. He's also scoring 2.95 goals per 60 minutes with Domi, miles ahead of his 1.6 average with the other two players.

Matthews is the biggest shooting threat in the league right now. There's no reason to expect that to change against the Devils.

The 26-year-old is chasing history and has an excellent matchup in front of him. New Jersey is bleeding shots every night. And with Jack Hughes shut down for the season, they're spending even more time on their heels.

This is a spot where Matthews could produce a multi-goal performance and put himself within reach of 70. I expect him to be firing early and often.

Odds: -114 (playable to -135)

Erik Karlsson: Over 2.5 shots

Karlsson has gone over this total in six of the past 10 games, averaging nearly seven shot attempts per contest.

His recent shooting success should continue in an advantageous matchup against the Red Wings. They're giving up a lot of shot volume nightly, especially to opposing defensemen. Only the Blue Jackets have allowed more shots on goal per game to the position over the last 10 contests.

Karlsson averages more than 24 minutes per game and is one of the few offensively dynamic weapons the Penguins feature.

Head coach Mike Sullivan will no doubt heavily rely on Karlsson to create offense in a matchup between two sides fighting for the Eastern Conference's final wild-card spot.

Karlsson had no problem doing so in recent meetings, recording four shots on goal in four of the past five versus Detroit. Expect him to make his mark offensively again.

Odds: -134 (playable to -150)

Brock Nelson: Over 2.5 shots

Nelson is one of the most consistent shot-generators in the league on home ice. He's registered at least three shots in 25 of 38 games in New York, good for a 66% success rate.

Although his volume has dipped a little lately, the Canadiens could be just what the doctor ordered to get back on track.

Columbus and Detroit are the only teams to have conceded more shots on goal than Montreal over the past 10 games.

The Canadiens also sit 30th in shots allowed to opposing centers in that span, making this an opportune spot for Nelson to make noise.

With the Islanders still trying to solidify a playoff position, Patrick Roy will give Nelson and the team's top players a full workload.

Odds: -125 (playable to -140)

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.

Find year-round coverage of betting news and insights for all sports by visiting our Betting section and subscribing to push notifications.

Three NHL games are scheduled for Wednesday night, but only one pops off the page.

Let's look at how we're attacking the day's marquee matchup.

Golden Knights (-105) @ Oilers (-115)

The Oilers could be playing without superstar Connor McDavid in what might well be a playoff preview for the opening round. That'd be a problem.

Edmonton played without its captain for two games earlier this season, dropping both contests and being outscored by six on aggregate.

Life without McDavid has never really been kind to the Oilers. Dating back a few seasons, they've dropped six of the last seven without him, and the offense dried up as they scored more than three goals just once.

While this could be the best version of Edmonton we've seen, I still expect the struggles without McDavid to continue against the Golden Knights if he's unable to play.

Vegas sits tied for sixth in five-on-five goal share over the past 10 games, and its lineup is seemingly getting better by the day. Tomas Hertl made his highly anticipated team debut Monday and found the scoresheet while logging over 20 minutes of ice time.

Hertl gives an already-quality club another impact player who can raise the floor and ceiling nightly.

I think the Golden Knights are better than the McDavid-less Oilers. They're also jockeying for seeding and coming off a pair of losses. Look for a hungry Vegas team to earn two points in this one.

Bet: Golden Knights (+100)

Jack Eichel: Over 3.5 shots

We've consistently targeted Eichel in recent weeks, and there's no reason to get away from that Wednesday.

Eichel recorded at least four shots in 15 of the past 19 games and posted three in each exception. He's shooting the puck a ton.

Vegas ranks fourth in five-on-five pace over the last 10 contests and should create a healthy shooting environment for Eichel in an enticing matchup.

The Oilers have also conceded 11.10 shots per game to centers during that span, tied for eighth most in the NHL.

With Edmonton playing high-event hockey and struggling to slow opposing centers, Eichel is primed to continue his shooting success.

Odds: -134 (playable to -150)

Evander Kane: Over 2.5 shots

Kane has slowed down lately, but a few things are working in his favor here.

He's consistently fared well on home ice, generating three shots or more at a 62% clip this season and 67% over the last two years.

Kane is also coming off three days of rest, which has served him well both times this campaign. Over two such instances, Kane posted 11 shots on 21 attempts.

And McDavid's potential absence opens the door for more offensive opportunities. Kane is skating in the top six and could be on the No. 1 power-play unit, which he's usually not a part of.

Kane recorded at least three shots in both games McDavid missed earlier in the season despite difficult matchups against the Rangers and Wild. I expect him to do the same against the Golden Knights.

Odds: +103 (playable to -125)

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.

Find year-round coverage of betting news and insights for all sports by visiting our Betting section and subscribing to push notifications.

A whopping 26 of the league's 32 teams are scheduled to take the ice Tuesday night. Let's waste no time getting to our best bets as we look to bounce back from a 1-2 start to the week.

Wild (+170) @ Avalanche (-200)

The Avalanche could use points right now. They've dropped back-to-back games against Western Conference powerhouses and now sit closer to the No. 3 seed in their division - which would mean starting the playoffs on the road - than to the top of the Central.

They need to right the ship quickly to have any hope of catching the Stars - and I expect them to do just that against the Wild.

The high-flying Avalanche have been electric on home ice all season. Led by Nathan MacKinnon and his ridiculous point production, they sport a 29-8-1 record in Colorado. The Avs are miserable to deal with at altitude and are generally quick to respond following defeat.

Head coach Jared Bednar was critical of his team following its most recent loss, saying they did a lot of "dumb stuff" and essentially handed the Stars free points.

The Avalanche will be determined to respond and put their best foot forward against the Wild.

Colorado's won five of the past six meetings against Minnesota, and four of those five victories came in regulation.

Even without Mikko Rantanen - who's sidelined with a head injury - the Avalanche still have better depth and high-end talent. They're also facing an opponent with nothing to play for. I expect them to take care of business within 60 minutes.

Bet: Avalanche in regulation (-130)

Owen Tippett: Over 3.5 shots

Tippett is a volume shooter whose ceiling depends on the caliber of the opponent. Take the past 10 games as an example. He recorded four shots or more against the Blue Jackets, Sabres, Blackhawks, and Canadiens but failed to reach that mark against playoff-bound clubs like the Panthers, Bruins, Hurricanes, and Maple Leafs. That's been a common theme for Tippett all season.

The good news is he has a mouthwatering matchup against the Canadiens. They're one of the worst defensive teams in the NHL and take a lot of penalties.

Tippett's taken full advantage of the Habs both times he's seen them this season, going over the number in each game while combining for 16 shot attempts.

The Flyers are fighting tooth and nail to try and get into the playoffs. That means they'll rely heavily on their best weapons until the game is completely put to bed.

Expect Tippett to play 18-20 minutes - more than enough time to generate four shots against a putrid shot-suppression team.

Odds: -122 (playable to -140)

Valeri Nichushkin: Over 2.5 shots

Nichushkin has averaged more than three shots per game this season while going over the total at a healthy 61% clip.

His shooting floor and ceiling should be even higher without Rantanen, who has largely stayed healthy over the past few campaigns. But when he's missed time, Nichushkin has consistently stepped up, averaging 3.8 shots on 6.2 attempts per game over five outings without Rantanen.

Colorado is hungry for every point, so Nichushkin should be heading for more than 20 minutes of ice and be an even bigger part of the offense. Look for him to make the most of it and fire at least three pucks on net.

Odds: -145 (playable to -160)

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.

Find year-round coverage of betting news and insights for all sports by visiting our Betting section and subscribing to push notifications.

There are only two games on Monday's NHL schedule, but there is still plenty of value on the board. Let's take a closer look.

Auston Matthews: Over 4.5 shots

Mitch Marner returned to the Maple Leafs' lineup Saturday, and Sheldon Keefe still kept Max Domi on the top unit. That's great news for Matthews' shot rate.

Matthews has flourished at getting pucks on net alongside Domi. He averages 18 shots and nearly 32 attempts per 60 minutes of five-on-five play with Domi on his right.

For perspective, Matthews averages 11 shots and 20 attempts with Marner and 10 on 22 attempts with William Nylander holding the spot. His outputs with Domi are at a completely different level.

Domi doesn't shoot as frequently as either of those players and isn't as puck-dominant, which has led to even more falling on Matthews' plate.

The Penguins are a mid-tier shot-suppression team, and their top line - a group Matthews should see plenty of - tends to play at a fast pace.

Matthews has led the NHL in shots over the past couple of weeks. This is a good spot for him to continue piling them up.

Odds: -110 (playable to -130)

Jack Eichel: Over 3.5 shots

Eichel is as consistent as they come. He's recorded four-plus shots in 11 of his past 15 games, falling only one shot shy in each exception. Eichel gets the job done almost nightly and always gives himself a legitimate chance.

Tough matchups have made little impact on Eichel, as he's hit his number against strong defensive teams like the Canucks, Jets, and Predators of late.

While Vancouver has done a fantastic job of limiting shots overall, it doesn't seem to have an answer for Eichel. He's gone over this total in all three meetings versus the Canucks this season, combining for 19 shots on 28 attempts.

The Golden Knights are jockeying for position in the Western Conference playoff race and still have plenty to play for. Monday's contest is also a potential first-round playoff matchup. It's a meaningful game, and Eichel's usage should reflect that.

Odds: -134 (playable to -150)

Shea Theodore: Over 0.5 points

We've targeted Theodore a lot lately, and we'll go back to the well Monday night. Theodore has 39 points through 41 games, with the blue-liner continuing to have a plus-money price tag attached to him.

While the Canucks are a strong defensive team, they haven't done as good of a job keeping the puck out of the net. That's largely due to Thatcher Demko's absence.

Casey DeSmith has taken over as the starter, and the results haven't been great. He's conceded 28 goals and owns a .877 save percentage over nine appearances since Demko went down.

The Golden Knights are in good offensive form and are adding another lethal weapon to their arsenal, with Tomas Hertl expected to debut Monday.

Win or lose, I expect Vegas to score a few in this one. Look for the club's best offensive defenseman to get in on the action.

Odds: +125 (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.

Find year-round coverage of betting news and insights for all sports by visiting our Betting section and subscribing to push notifications.

We have a small but exciting five-game slate on the docket Wednesday night. Let's look at a few of my favorite ways to attack it.

Lightning (+110) @ Maple Leafs (-130)

Offense tends to explode when the Lightning and Maple Leafs square off. Seven of their past eight regular-season meetings have featured seven goals or more, with an average of 7.75 goals per game.

There's no reason to expect different in this game. Even with Mitch Marner sidelined, Toronto is firing on all cylinders offensively. Led by Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point, the same can be said of Tampa Bay.

The Lightning have scored 3.64 goals per 60 minutes since the calendar flipped, which ties them for third in the NHL. The Maple Leafs have scored 3.72 goals per 60 over the same period. That puts them ahead of every team but the Avalanche.

The abundance of firepower in this game means goals will be scored in bulk because of the efficiency and talent of the shooters. On top of that, the goaltending matchup doesn't look all that great.

Andrei Vasilevskiy isn't playing anywhere close to the level we've come to expect from him. It's not getting better, either: Vasilevskiy has conceded three or more goals in 13 of his past 17 starts.

Joseph Woll has allowed 19 goals over his last six starts (3.16 per game), so it's not like he's untouchable at the other end of the ice.

Expect Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Kucherov, Point, and all the dynamic stars in this game to make plenty happen en route to another high-scoring affair.

Bet: Over 6.5 (-115)

Mika Zibanejad: Over 2.5 shots

The Devils are struggling defensively. They're banged up on the back end and playing very fast, resulting in a ton of shot volume against them on a nightly basis.

A lot of the shots are coming from opposing centers. The Devils have conceded 13.30 shots per game to the position over the last 10, according to ShotPropz. No team has allowed more.

That puts Zibanejad firmly on the radar. The Swede has gone over his total in five of the past six games, averaging 6.33 shot attempts in that span. He also has a strong history against the Devils, surpassing his total in four straight regular-season contests. He's also in good shooting form right now.

With Zibanejad rested and playing at home against a Devils team that played Tuesday, this is a great spot for him to continue firing away.

Odds: -134 (playable to -150)

Conor Garland: Over 2.5 shots

Garland is in his best shooting form of the season. He surpassed his total in seven of the past nine games and is consistently hovering around the five-attempt mark. He plays a hard-nosed game and lives around the net, so he needs fewer attempts than perimeter shooters to cash this bet.

His uptick in shots stems from more opportunity. Garland is riding shotgun with J.T. Miller at even strength and skates on the top power-play unit. He routinely logs 15 minutes in his current role alongside the team's best weapons and is in ideal situations for generating offense.

He should have no problem continuing his current trajectory against the Coyotes. They bleed shots at five-on-five and have the worst shot suppression numbers in the NHL while undermanned.

It's also worth noting there's a bit of a revenge factor. Garland has gone over his total in five of seven contests against his former team, producing an average of 3.4 shots on goal.

Expect that to continue on Wednesday night.

Odds: -114 (playable to -125)

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.

Find year-round coverage of betting news and insights for all sports by visiting our Betting section and subscribing to push notifications.

We started the week strong, cashing two of three player props on Monday night.

We'll look to build on a solid foundation with three more plays for Tuesday's fruitful card.

Alex Ovechkin: Over 3.5 shots

The Capitals are holding onto a playoff spot by the skin of their teeth. They'll need their captain to carry a heavy load to get the team over the finish line.

We're already seeing that from Ovechkin, as he's logged 20 minutes or more in four of the past five games. Washington hasn't played since Saturday, so he's well-rested and likely heading toward another healthy chunk of ice time.

Ovechkin has fared very well coming off of two days' rest this season. He's gone over his total in seven of the past 11 games in such situations, falling only one shot shy in three of the four deficits. He's getting the job done - or at least knocking on the door - each time out.

When logging 20 minutes this season, Ovechkin's success rate is slightly under 60% - and I expect him to clear that time on ice bar in this one.

It's also worth noting that Ovechkin is a Sabres killer. He's averaged 1.4 points, 5.4 shots and well over 10 attempts over his last seven games against Buffalo.

The Sabres aren't strong defensively, have taken plenty of penalties of late (which bodes well for a power play marksman like Ovechkin), and the Capitals are desperate for every point. Ovechkin should get a lot of ice and be heavily involved offensively.

Odds: -102 (playable to -125)

David Pastrnak: Over 4.5 shots

Pastrnak is in a bit of a shooting rut, recording four shots or fewer in five consecutive games.

Although the Predators are competent in their own end, they mark a great opportunity for Pastrnak to get back on track.

The Preds play extremely high-event hockey: They rank second in five-on-five pace over the past 10 games. The Bruins sit 32nd over the same span, so the Predators should be able to drag more out of them - which would benefit Pastrnak. More shots flying in both directions means more opportunity for the Bruins' best shot generator.

Pastrnak took full advantage in a contest against Nashville earlier this season, firing six shots on 10 attempts despite only 17 minutes of ice.

He's logged at least 20 minutes in five straight games and is coming off multiple days of rest, so he should get a full workload in a pace-up spot. Look for him to capitalize on it.

Odds: -106 (playable to -125)

Jack Eichel: Over 3.5 shots

I generally prefer to avoid targeting shooters against the defensively sound Canucks. Eichel is worth the exception.

He's recorded at least four shots in 13 of his past 16 games, averaging more than five per game in that span. He collected three shots each time he fell short, meaning there was always an opportunity for him to get the job done.

Eichel has consistently gone over the number, no matter how difficult the matchup. He registered four shots against the Jets, seven against the Predators, four against the Bruins, four against the Avalanche, and six against these same Canucks during this hot streak.

The Golden Knights are jockeying for home ice in the Pacific Division - with a win tonight, they'd only be three points behind the Oilers - so Eichel will see all the ice he can handle. He's proven capable of making the most of it, no matter the opponent.

Odds: -125 (playable to -140)

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.

Find year-round coverage of betting news and insights for all sports by visiting our Betting section and subscribing to push notifications.

The NHL is back in full force with an eight-game slate coming out of the holiday weekend. Let's waste no time getting to the best ways to attack it.

Miles Wood: Over 2.5 shots

I don't normally target third-liners for overs, but this is an appropriate time to make an exception. Wood has piled up the shots of late, soaring past his total in nine of the past 10 games while averaging 3.8 per night.

He's feasted playing alongside Ross Colton and Zach Parise. Parise has been surprisingly impactful on Wood's shot rates. Wood has averaged 16.21 shots on goal per 60 minutes with Parise on his line at five-on-five, which is top-tier production.

Auston Matthews is the only player in the NHL with more five-on-five shots than Wood over the last 10 games.

Now he draws a mouthwatering matchup against a Blue Jackets team that ranks dead last in five-on-five shot suppression over the same period of time. The Jackets also sit 32nd in terms of preventing shots against wingers.

Wood generated five shots on eight attempts when these teams met a couple of weeks ago. With a generous plus-money price attached, I think there's significant value in backing him to get three.

Odds: +125 (playable to +100)

Zach Hyman: Over 3.5 shots

Hyman continues to produce while riding shotgun alongside Connor McDavid. He's registered at least four shots on goal in seven straight and nine of his past 10 games overall with an average of slightly under five in that span.

Hyman is tied with Wood for second in the NHL in five-on-five shots over his past 10 games. I think it's important to note his prowess at even strength because the Blues don't take a lot of penalties.

The heavy lifting must come at five-on-five, which shouldn't be a problem for Hyman. He's ultra-efficient at generating shots, while the Blues struggle to prevent them. Only five teams have conceded more over the past 10 games.

This game should also feature plenty of pace. The Oilers are third in five-on-five pace the past 10 games, while the Blues come in at 12th.

Hyman has seen St. Louis twice this season and combined for 11 shots on 15 attempts over those matchups.

Look for him to get the job done again this time around.

Odds: -114 (playable to -130)

Brayden Point: Over 2.5 shots

Death, taxes, and Point at home. He continues to be a shooting machine when playing in Tampa Bay.

Point has recorded three shots or more in 25 of 35 games at home (71%). He's showing absolutely no signs of slowing down, having gone over his total in 12 of the past 15 (80%) at Amalie Arena.

I don't see the Red Wings being the team to stop him. They haven't defended well this season, especially when playing on the road. Only the Sharks have conceded more shots per game on the road this campaign.

The Wings also give up a ton of shots to centers. They rank in the bottom five over the past 10 games and 30th for the entire season.

Point's odds are a little shorter than most props I target, but, based solely on this season's hit rate of 71%, a fair price would be closer to -200.

Odds: -150 (playable to -175)

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.

Find year-round coverage of betting news and insights for all sports by visiting our Betting section and subscribing to push notifications.

We have a huge slate of games ahead of us on Thursday night, including several with playoff implications.

Let's take a closer look at a couple with our best bets.

Flames (+115) @ Blues (-135)

The Blues are a flawed team that is largely propped up by excellent goaltending. But I don't think they're getting enough respect on Thursday night.

The Flames traded the likes of Elias Lindholm, Noah Hanifin, and Chris Tanev before the deadline. They completely gutted their roster, and it has shown, as the team owns a 2-7 record since deadline day and has been outscored 37-20.

Conversely, the Blues are 6-2-1 over the same period. Jordan Binnington and Joel Hofer give the team top-tier netminding. Meanwhile, Robert Thomas, Pavel Buchnevich, and Jordan Kyrou are providing their goaltenders with enough support at the other end.

Look for the in-form Blues - who also have home ice - to take care of business and pick up another much-needed two points as they try and hang around in the wild-card race.

Bet: Blues (-135)

Kings (+130) @ Oilers (-150)

The Oilers are back home on Thursday after a somewhat rocky road trip. They dropped the first two games in ugly fashion and blew a 3-1 lead in the third, needing overtime to see their win through.

A home game against the Kings could be just what the doctor ordered to get the Oilers back on track. They've been borderline unstoppable at home this calendar year, owning a 14-2-2 and plus-34 goal differential.

They've also had their way with the Kings over the last few years. The Oilers won seven of the past 10 regular-season meetings and bounced them from the playoffs in back-to-back runs.

The Kings are grinding out plenty of wins right now, but a lot of that stems from their ability to limit shots and insulate their goaltenders. I don't think they'll be able to protect Cam Talbot nearly as well against this Oilers team.

Edmonton leads the NHL in expected goals and scoring chances in 2024. It will be very difficult - if not impossible - for the Kings to hold the Oilers to the ballpark of 25 shots they've routinely given up of late.

Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Zach Hyman will also be taking a healthy chunk of said shots - a very tall order for Talbot.

Look for the Oilers to take care of business inside 60 minutes and gain some separation from the Kings in their quest to lock up home ice.

Bet: Oilers in regulation (-105)

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.