After a busy Thursday, the NHL slows down with just a trio of games tonight. We went three for four on picks yesterday and will try to carry the momentum into the weekend.
Here are four player props to consider for Dec. 16 from legal hockey betting sites.
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Mats Zuccarello Over 2.5 Shots
Mats Zuccarello keeps getting better with age. The 35-year-old Norwegian is a little long in the tooth by hockey standards, but his production hasn’t slowed. After a career-best 79 points last season, Zuccarello is over a point per game this year.
But for tonight, we’re focusing on shots. The winger has been firing away in the past month and has put together a string of ten games with at least three shots. We like his chances to keep it rolling against a suspect Chicago Blackhawks defense that is giving up the fourth-most shots in the league (34.1).
Elias Lindholm Over 0.5 Points
The Flames desperately need Elias Lindholm to get going. After scoring 42 goals and 82 points last season, the Swede has sputtered this year.
Lindholm has just 23 points on the campaign and one in his previous three games. He’s still Calgary’s leading scorer, but the team needs more from him if they plan on playing in the postseason.
The Flames have now lost three straight games in overtime and will look for a few bounces to go their way tonight against the Blues. St. Louis is 29th in goals against (3.7) and has the league’s worst penalty kill percentage (67.1).
Vladimir Tarasenko Over 0.5 Points
Vladimir Tarasenko has gotten off to a slow start this season (22 points) but is showing signs of life lately. The veteran Russian scored Thursday against Edmonton and has two goals in his last three contests.
It will be a quick turnaround after playing last night, so hopefully, the winger can carry his momentum into the Saddledome against the Flames. Calgary has been average defensively this year, allowing three goals per game (15th).
Tarasenko will try to help the Blues make it three wins in a row as they continue their road trip out West.
Mathew Barzal Over 0.5 Assists
Mathew Barzal is a playmaker first, but he’s taken it to a new level this season. The Coquitlam native has 30 points on the year – 27 of them assists.
Barzal has now gone two straight without a point and is due to bust out. On the season, the center has only gone two games without an assist one other time. We like his chances to snap the slump against a poor Coyotes team.
Arizona is near the bottom of the league in goals allowed, shots against, and PK percentage. Barzal and the Islanders should bury a few and return to their winning ways after dropping two straight contests.
