It's another big slate on the ice with 24 teams in action on Thursday night.
I'm searching for a trio of plus-money winners with today's NHL player props and stacking lines where I find some value.
These are my three best NHL picks for Thursday, January 2.
NHL prop picks and best bets for January 2
Kakko + Beniers o0.5 points each (+350 at bet365)
Marner o0.5 PP Points (+250 at bet365)
Olofsson 3+ SOG (+140 at bet365)
Picks made on 1-2 at 11:00 a.m. ET.
Today’s NHL prop picks and best bets
Prop bet #1: Kaapo Kakko + Matty Beniers Over 0.5 points each
The new-team vibes are popping with Kaapo Kakko, who was traded from the New York Rangers to the Seattle Kraken before Christmas. The former second-overall pick has found a home playing a top-six role and skating on the team’s best power-play unit. He’s meshing well with center Matty Beniers and the pair is a great target for a point each today — especially at +350.
This stack hit in the last game versus this same struggling Vancouver team that Seattle beat 5-4 just two games ago.
Thatcher Demko has not been great since returning from an injury that cost him the whole start of the season. He has a 3.43 GAA with a pretty sad .879 save percentage that plays well tonight with the Seattle stack. The 2+ point stack is 35/1.
Prop bet #2: Mitch Marner Over 0.5 power play points
The Toronto Maple Leafs play the second half of a home-and-home with the New York Islanders tonight after winning at home on Tuesday. The Islanders are working hard to be one of the worst teams in the East and have a pathetic 50% penalty kill over the last 30 days.
New York can’t stop opposing power plays and playing the same team in consecutive games might build up the animosity and create more PP opportunities.
The price is right for the Leafs’ Mitch Marner, who is +250 to get a PP point tonight. He was +210 on Tuesday and pointed at the buzzer for the third goal thanks to Patrick Roy’s wild decision to pull his goalie short-handed in their own end.
Marner has a PP point in four of his last six games and without Auston Matthews, the offense remains his to run.
Prop bet #3: Victor Olofsson Over 2.5 shots on goal
Victor Olofsson is taking advantage of his new offensive opportunities as he is skating on the Vegas Golden Knights' top line and power play. He has seen his minutes per game increase by nearly four over his last two contests and his markets are still not reflecting his new role.
The winger has gone Over his SOG total in seven of his last 11 games and he has hit 4+ SOG in four of those 11 matches. Olofsson’s Over points at -110 is a great bet today vs. the Philadelphia Flyers, who have serious goaltender issues after losing Sam Ersson. The Knights could easily put up five goals if they keep their offense active.
Olofsson’s SOG is the best route, though, at this price. His 4+ SOG is +350 and 5+ is +850. There is ladder potential here. He had five SOG just two games ago.
NHL odds today
Here are the full NHL odds for all of today’s matchups.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
