It’s a jam-packed Saturday in hockey as 30 teams are in action, and there are plenty of NHL player props to choose from.
I’ve narrowed my favorite selections down to a pair of anytime goal props for Matthew Knies and Leon Draisaitl, as well as a shot prop for Zach Werenski.
Find out more in my NHL picks for January 11.
NHL prop picks and best bets for January 11
Matthew Knies anytime goal (+300 at bet365)
Leon Draisaitl anytime goal (-115 at bet365)
Zach Werenski o3.5 shots (+120 at bet365)
Picks made on 1-11 at 12:00 p.m. ET.
Today’s NHL prop picks and best bets
Prop bet #1: Matthew Knies anytime goal
Matthew Knies has been the NHL’s hottest goal scorer in the new year, sporting five markers in as many games. Heading into tonight's contest against the Vancouver Canucks, it doesn’t seem like the oddsmakers have caught on just yet, as the Toronto Maple Leafs forward sits at +300 for an anytime goal.
The 22-year-old broke a nine-game slump with a hat trick on January 4 and hasn’t slowed down since, finding the back of the net in three of his last four contests. Even before Knies snapped his slump, he was shooting the puck more. From December 31 onwards, he’s averaged three shots per game — a healthy bump compared to his season rate of 1.76.
It’s likely no coincidence that Knies’ production has increased since the return of Auston Matthews, as opponents now have to defend a dual shooting threat on the Maple Leafs' top line. Teams are rightfully focusing on covering the reigning Rocket Richard winner, which leaves Knies with a lot more space in and around the net.
Since January 1, Knies has generated 10 high-danger chances at 5-on-5 according to Natural Stat Trick — second in the NHL only to Brandon Hagel (11). If he continues to get to the net, I like his odds of scoring another tonight.
Prop bet #2: Leon Draisaitl anytime goal
If you’re looking for more of a sure thing, look no further than the NHL’s leading goal scorer, Leon Draisaitl. The Edmonton Oilers star tops the league with 31 goals and looks to be on pace for his first Rocket Richard Trophy.
Draisaitl’s consistency has helped him stand out from the crowd this season, and he hasn’t had a goal-scoring drought of more than two games all year long. The Oilers center comes into tonight’s contest with seven tallies in his last five games, including a multi-goal effort against the Penguins last time out, and he looks poised for another big night against the lowly Chicago Blackhawks.
Chicago owns the NHL’s fifth-worst defense in terms of goals against per game (3.40) as well as shots against per game (30.3). The Blackhawks have also surrendered at least four goals in each of their last seven losses during their current 2-7-0 run, averaging a whopping 4.56 goals against over that stretch.
Prop bet #3: Zach Werenski Over 3.5 shots
You rarely see a defenseman lead his club in major offensive categories, but that’s exactly what Zach Werenski is doing for the Columbus Blue Jackets this season as he tops the team in points (48) and shots (164).
The blueliner has really stepped up his production since just before Christmas — having tallied a league-leading 16 points and 47 shots in his last eight games — and I see his shooting spree continuing against the St. Louis Blues.
Werenski has chucked at least four shots on net in six of his last eight games, including a season-high 11 on December 31 against the Hurricanes. The Blues have been pretty much middle of the pack in terms of shots against and shot attempts against per game, ranking 20th and 19th, respectively, according to Natural Stat Trick.
The Blue Jackets did break through in their last meeting on January 4, though, as they skated to a 6-4 win with 38 shots — including seven from Werenski.
NHL odds today
Here are the full NHL odds for all of today’s matchups.
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