Following a busy return to action in the NHL this weekend, there are only a pair of Western Conference games on the ice on Monday, February 24.
The Winnipeg Jets host the San Jose Sharks in a massive mismatch to kick-start the slate, and then the Vegas Golden Knights visit the Los Angeles Kings in a likely low-scoring showdown.
My top NHL player props and NHL picks cover both contests and are headlined by Kings winger Kevin Fiala and Vezina Trophy favorite Connor Hellebuyck.
NHL prop picks and best bets for February 24
Fiala Over 2.5 shots (-120 at bet365)
Stone Under 0.5 points (+145 DraftKings)
Hellebuyck Over 22.5 saves (-110 at DraftKings)
Today’s NHL prop picks and best bets
Kevin Fiala Over 2.5 shots (-120 at bet365)
Los Angeles Kings winger Kevin Fiala has recorded three or more shots in 12 of his past 16 games for an average of 3.75 per and has a team-high 9.7 shots and 20.06 attempts per 60 minutes for the season. Fiala is also in the 94th percentile of forwards in shots on goal, and he’s a go-to shooter on the No. 1 power-play unit.
The Vegas Golden Knights allow the fifth-fewest shots per game (26.6) and sport an 11th-ranked 51.2 Corsi For percentage at 5-on-5, so this checks out as a tough matchup. It’s built into this price, though, and I value Fiala sporting an elite 57.4 CF% and 6.5 relative CF% at 5-on-5 this season.
Mark Stone Under 0.5 points (+145 DraftKings)
Golden Knights veteran Mark Stone has only marked the scoresheet in five of his past 13 games and skated down the depth chart in a third-line role against the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday. Stone has also played big 5-on-5 minutes with center Jack Eichel for the majority of the season, and the duo has been on the ice for 3.63 goals per 60 minutes. Stone has been on the ice for just 0.93 goals per 60 without Eichel.
Of course, the Kings also allow the second-fewest goals per home game (2.12) and the fifth-lowest expected goals per 60 (2.22) at 5-on-5.
Connor Hellebuyck Over 22.5 saves (-110 at DraftKings)
This is the second-lowest saves total of the season for Winnipeg Jets No. 1 Connor Hellebuyck, and he’s averaged a 25.7 number for the year. As a result, we’re landing a low benchmark, and even with this being the biggest mismatch possible in the Western Conference, I still expect the San Jose Sharks to put enough rubber on net for Hellebuyck to go Over the number.
San Jose has averaged a respectable 27 shots per game, and Winnipeg has allowed 28.1. The Jets also sport a middling 50.2 Corsi For percentage at 5-on-5, which drops all the way down to 44.6% when leading.
Look for Winnipeg to take an early lead as a huge home favorite, with San Jose then having a few more shooting opportunities while the Jets settle into a defensive shell.
NHL odds today
Here are the full NHL odds for all of today’s matchups.
Not intended for use in MA.
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