It was a great Monday, followed by a forgettable Tuesday. Goalie interference continues to be a gray area in the league which cost us a winner, but it's a new day and new board.
It’s a small slate today, and I’ve got my eyes on NHL player props for each game. These are my three best NHL picks for Wednesday, February 5.
NHL prop picks and best bets for February 5
Zibanejad Over 2.5 SOG (+105 at bet365)
Bedard + Donato Over 0.5 points each (+220 at bet365)
Suzuki + Caufield + Slafkovsky Under 0.5 points (+400 at bet365)
Today’s NHL prop picks and best bets
Mika Zibanejad Over 2.5 SOG (+105 at bet365)
Mika Zibanejad has been a whipping boy for most of the season, but opportunity is everything. Since the J.T. Miller trade, Zibanejad has moved to the top line with Miller and Artemi Panarin while also returning to the top power-play unit.
The Rangers' center has four points over those two games, including a trio of power-play points. He’s playing to Adam Fox’s right on the power play, which means more touches and a better chance at points. Zibby also has nine shots on goal in those two games.
The Bruins played last night and will likely go with backup goalie Joonas Korpisalo, who has a .890 SV% over his last five starts dating back to January 5. I feel all of Zibanejad's Over markets are not priced to his increased minutes and better opportunities.
His Over 0.5 assists at +130 is already in my account, but I’m going to add his 3+ SOG, which was pointed out to me by fellow NHL Covers analyst Todd Cordell.
The Bruins have allowed the second-most SOG over the last 30 days and I love taking SOG Overs with first-line home teams more so than when they’re on the road.
At home, Zibanejad has 70 shots over 26 games compared to just 49 shots in the same amount of road contests.
Connor Bedard + Ryan Donato Over 0.5 points each (+220 at bet365)
The Blackhawks are a disaster. They have no idea who to put with Connor Bedard, who has points in 16 of his last 19 games. Tonight, it will be Landon Slaggert and Ryan Donato.
Donato is my favorite winger with Bedard as he shoots and sits third on the team in points but has a very similar points/60 as Bedard. When he has opportunities to play with the big dog, he's produced. The rookie, Slaggert, has also potted two goals over his first three NHL games.
The Oilers are coming off an OT win in St. Louis last night and will be going with backup Calvin Pickard. The Hawks have the third-worst road offense at 2.38 goals per game, but that number jumps to 2.81 goals per game at home with a Top-7 PP at 25%. It’s not a massive jump, but when you’re going to back the Chicago offense, I suggest doing it when at home.
Donato and Bedard for a point is +220 tonight. The former is +130 alone and is a good look without stacking Bedard. The Hawks have 73 goals at home with Bedard pointing on 62% of them. If Donato — who is skating with Bedsy at 5-on-5 and PP1 — is finding the score sheet, Bedard’s name is going to be next to it.
Nick Suzuki + Cole Caufield + Juraj Slafkovsky Under 0.5 points (+400 at bet365)
Staying on the theme of fading back-to-back teams, the Habs won 4-3 over the Sharks last night and now face the Kings, who return home after being on the road for two weeks.
L.A. has played a lot of low-scoring games of late thanks to a struggling offense, and I love another snoozer tonight.
Montreal's top line is a solid group to stack the Under, as Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky are +400 to record zero points. Fading top lines on the road is always the better move, as Suzuki has points in just half of his road games since the start of December.
The Kings have the second-best GAA at home, behind only the Jets, at 2.05 goals per game. Betting under stacks might not be the most enjoyable betting experience, but it is profitable, and the markets will likely change sooner rather than later.
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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