Mark Lammey
The NHL schedule is in full back-and-forth mode this week. After just 3 games last night, we’re set for only 2 games on Friday night. However, we have a loaded 11-game slate on Thursday. With that, we made sure to provide an extra play for so much action. In fact, before we dive into our 3 favorite NHL prop plays, we also have an honorable mention. Be sure to check out Carolina’ Martin Necas’ assist prop tonight. One of our official plays is also in one of the first games, so let’s dive in.
Along with our player props, be sure to check out all of our NHL picks for today’s action.
Artemi Panarin over 0.5 assists (-135)
One of the first puck-drops takes place in Montreal as the Canadiens host the New York Rangers. That should have those in the Big Apple excited. The Rangers enter tonight’s game as rested as they’ve been all season, having been off since last Saturday. That was a tough loss, but it came at the hands of the best team in the NHL, the Boston Bruins. Now New York gets to take on one of the worst teams in the league.
Montreal has the 2nd-fewest points in the Eastern Conference and has lost 4 straight. That includes a defeat against the Anaheim Ducks, which should have the Rangers chomping at the bit. We expect a big night from all their skaters, but Artemi Panarin has been consistent for us all season. He leads the team with 68 points, 50 of which have been assists. With snipers such as Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider on the team, that’s no surprise. It also doesn’t hurt that Panarin has had at least an assist in 4 of his last 5 games against Montreal. With the Canadiens’ struggles recently, that trend should continue tonight.
Roman Josi over 0.5 assists (-170)
We’re sticking with another perennial leader in assists for our second play. The Nashville Predators have had an interesting season to say the least, but Josi has been the one they can rely on. Filip Forsberg has been injured and several skaters have been traded. However, the former Norris Trophy winner for the NHL’s best defenseman remains steady. He too leads his team in points with 56, 39 of which have been helpers. It’s most likely that he sends one over to Matt Duchene tonight, but of course it doesn’t matter who he assists in finding the back of the net.
The Preds should be able to do that early and often. They’re facing the Arizona Coyotes tonight, who Nashville defeated 6-2 less than 2 weeks ago. That game was in the desert, so being on the road should cause no concern. Josi had 3 points in that matchup and has enjoyed facing the Coyotes through his career. He’s had at least an assist in 6 of his last 7 games against Arizona and 10 of his last 15. Josi also hasn’t gone back-to-back games without an assist against the ‘Yotes since 2016. With that type of consistency, expect more of the same tonight.
Be sure to check out our Nashville Predators vs Arizona Coyotes prediction
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Brady Tkachuk over 0.5 goals (+165)
Finally, let’s swap over to a guy who can find the net himself. Brady is the brother of Matthew Tkachuk, and they’re both having incredible seasons. They’re numbers 3 and 4 in terms of expected goals, and Brady has been the volume shot-taker for the Ottawa Senators for several seasons. He’s tied with teammate Tim Stutzle with 66 points, and he’s closing in on yet another 30-goal season.
Admittedly, it’s been a slow start to March for Tkachuk, but he can turn things up in Seattle tonight. The Kraken are still a young franchise, but he’s still enjoyed facing them. In his 3 games against Seattle, Tkachuk has scored a goal in each one. That’s a great track record for a guy who loves to take his shots. He should also be assisted in the fact that the Kraken’s penalty kill has been awful this season, as they’re tied for the 4th-worst percentage. We have to wait for the last game of the night, but Tkachuk should make it worth it.
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