There’s an exciting slate of NHL games tonight, including Tkachuk’s return to Calgary and a couple of fierce division rivalries. Here are our four best prop bets from legal US NHL betting sites.
Matthew Tkachuk Anytime Goal Scorer
Matthew Tkachuk returns to Calgary for the first time since the Flames shipped him to Florida in a blockbuster trade last July.
The 24-year-old has thrived in the Sunshine State, with 29 points in 20 games this season. He’s been particularly hot lately, notching five goals in his last six games. The former fan-favorite has a flair for the dramatic and will likely have his best on display for the Calgary crowd.
Tkachuk has already faced his old team once this year in Florida. He had a goal and an assist in an eventual 5-4 shootout loss to the Flames.
Jake Guentzel Shots on Goal – Under 3.5
The Penguins return home to face the Hurricanes after having their five-game win streak snapped on the road against the Leafs on Saturday.
Carolina is one of the stingiest teams in the league, surrendering just 2.77 goals per game (8th). The Canes also allow the fewest shots per contest in the NHL at 25.9.
Pens winger Jake Guentzel has had trouble putting pucks on the net lately. He’s only had four or more shots in a game once in his last eleven, and he’ll be hard-pressed to do it tonight against the defensive-minded Hurricanes.
Noah Cates Under 0.5 Points
The Philadelphia Flyers are winless in their last ten, and it won’t get any easier tonight against a hot New York Islanders team.
Sophomore Noah Cates looked sharp as a rookie but has had trouble scoring points this season. He has just seven on the year and one in his last six games.
The Isles give up just 2.57 goals per game (5th) which doesn’t bode well for a Flyers squad that has scored just seven times in their last four games.
Cates could get it going at some point this season, but we’re betting against it being tonight.
Mikko Rantanen Anytime Goal Scorer
The defending Stanley Cup champion Avalanche have picked up where they left off last year. Mikko Rantanen is a big reason why.
The 26-year-old Finn has 13 goals on the year and nine in his previous ten games. While he has almost double the goals of his closest teammate (Nichushkin, 7), he’s only found the twine in one of his last five games. The clever winger is way too good for that trend to continue.
A breakout should be coming soon, and we’re hoping it’s tonight against the division-rival Jets. Rantanen sniped two the last time these teams faced off on Oct. 19.
