Mark Lammey
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We have just 2 nights left of NHL action before taking the holiday weekend off, so let’s take advantage. There are 8 incredible matchups, including the third and final Battle of New York. Along with that matchup, there are several games that look to be defensive slugfests. With that in mind, we won’t be targeting those games so we can root for some action and skaters to show off their skills. We’re targeting the early afternoon game of the day and the final nightcap, so let’s dive in.
Along with our player props, be sure to check out all of our NHL picks for today’s action.
Auston Matthews over 1.5 points (+125)
The Toronto Maple Leafs have been great recently and are now tied for the 2nd-most points in the Eastern Conference. They’re coming off an incredibly impressive 4-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning and now get to remain at home to welcome in a far weaker opponent. With that in mind, we expect their team as a whole to do well and have other helpful suggestions. Mitch Marner should also be able to record multiple points, and captain John Tavares should notch one himself. However, we’re going to stick with the prolific goalscorer in Auston Matthews to be a part of at least two of them as well.
He just scored a goal against arguably the best goaltender in hockey in Tampa’s Andrei Vasilevskiy, and should do the same against Philly. Matthews also had a goal and an assist against the Flyers earlier this season. His numbers may not be as eye-popping this year, but that’s primarily due to what is expected from him. His 38 points through 33 games are still the 9th-most in the NHL, and he’s recorded multiple points 10 times this season. Keep in mind the Flyers have committed the 9th-most penalties this year and have the 10th-worst penalty kill. Therefore, one of these points may very well come on an early power play.
Be sure to check out our Philadelphia Flyers vs Toronto Maple Leafs prediction
Mats Zuccarello over 0.5 assists (-140)
We’ll have to wait for the last game of the night for our second play, but it should be more than worth it. The Wild will be on the second night of a back-to-back, but we’re not concerned with the outcome of their game. Instead we care about the fact that they’re playing an awful goaltending team in the San Jose Sharks. Not only have they allowed the 6th-most goals per game overall, they’re tied for the 2nd-most allowed over the last month. Their last 2 losses alone saw the opponent find the back of the net 12 times, and the Wild have the firepower to be just as potent.
Minnesota has scored the 5th-most goals per game over the last month, and will be nice and warmed up after facing the awful goaltending of the Anaheim Ducks last night. It will be a short trip over to San Jose, and Mats Zuccarello should be one to get involved often. For him to not be a part of any of Minnesota’s 4 goals last night is wildly surprising. Both he and Kirill Kaprizov should be in for big games. Zuccarello has 36 points through 32 games, 22 of which are assists. He’ll still be on that top line with Kaprizov, who can go top shelf at any moment. It’s also worth noting he had an assist against the Sharks earlier this season. Although on the road this time, he should repeat that success tonight.
Don’t miss out on our NHL mega parlay at +900 odds for tonight’s action!
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