Today’s NHL Prop Picks and Best Bets: Keller Leads Way for Cunning Coyotes

Prop bet #1: Calling Keller

The Washington Capitals land in a sneaky tough schedule spot Monday, and the Arizona Coyotes have been a dog with a bone at Mullett Arena this season.

Washington is playing the final leg of their five-game West Coast road trip Monday, while Arizona has rolled off three consecutive home wins and four straight overall.

I’m particularly drawn to the Clayton Keller odds because he’s the go-to shooter on the No. 1 line, with Logan Cooley and Nick Schmaltz both checking out as low-volume shooters and capable playmakers. 

Keller has also topped this 2.5-shot total in three of the past four games while averaging a healthy 3.5 shots and 5.25 attempts. Additionally, there’s nothing scary about the matchup.

The Caps have surrendered a middling 30.57 shots per 60 minutes this season, with the number climbing to 32.5 across their past four games on the noted roadie. 

Clayton Keller prop: Over 2.5 shots on goal (-115 at DraftKings)

Prop bet #2: Cuirse with Crouse

I’m doubling down on the Desert Dogs with Arizona winger Lawson Crouse. As noted, the Capitals aren’t an intimidating or shot-suppressing opponent, and Crouse has shown an uptick in shot volume over his past six games.

He’s pacing the Coyotes with 20 shots and 40 attempts during the span, and the 26-year-old winger is driving possession alongside linemates Nick Bjugstad and Matias Macelli. The trio boasts a 54.3 Corsi For percentage while generating 33.4 shots and 68.2 attempts per 60 minutes at 5-on-5.

Additionally, I value Crouse’s increased ice time during the noted six-game stretch. He’s up to 17:58 per night with 1:46 on the power play.  

Lawson Cruise prop: Over 2.5 shots on goal (+120 at BetRivers)

Prop bet #3: Singing the Blues

This is an off-market offering from BetRivers, with bet365 hanging a -120 price for the St. Louis Blues to stay Under 2.5 goals.

The Vegas Golden Knights boast the third-best defense based on my ratings, while the Blues rank 26th in offense. Additionally, Vegas has surrendered the fewest five-on-five goals per 60 minutes and sports a second-ranked .938 team save percentage.

Add the Golden Knights’ fifth-ranked 86.5 penalty-kill percentage, and it’s easy to see why they’re hanging with the favorites in the Stanley Cup odds.

Still, I place more value on the inferior cast of characters jumping the boards for St. Louis. The Blues rank fourth last in expected goals per 60 minutes (2.43) while being caved in to the tune of a 45.7 Corsi For percentage at 5-on-5.

St. Louis Blues team total: Under 2.5 (-105 at BetRivers)