Today’s NHL Prop Picks and Best Bets: Canucks Clip Ducks' Wings

Prop bet #1: Con job

The Buffalo Sabres host the Winnipeg Jets tonight and oddsmakers expect a somewhat high-scoring affair, with the total currently at six.

One of the reasons for this high total is that goaltender Eric Comrie is slated to guard the cage for Buffalo. His number has not been called frequently this season, but it has not gone well when it has been as Comrie is 1-6 with a .868 SV% and 3.87 GAA through eight starts.

His job is made difficult due to the defense in front of him that bleeds high-danger scoring chances. At 5-on-5, the Sabres rank 24th in the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60).

That brings us to Winnipeg forward Kyle Connor, who enters this contest in great form with six goals over his past six games. One of those goals came on the power play, which is important to note as Buffalo ranks in the league's bottom half in both penalty minutes taken per game and penalty kill percentage.

Connor’s recent success will continue against the Sabres, a team he has scored six goals against over the past nine meetings.

Kyle Connor prop: Anytime goal (+155 at Bet99)

Prop bet #2: Brock like a man

Later in the evening, the Anaheim Ducks host the Vancouver Canucks in a Pacific Division tilt. Oddsmakers expect a lopsided game with Vancouver priced as short as -260 on the moneyline while the total remains at 6.5.

These figures bode well for backing a pair of Canucks skaters to find the back of the net in this matchup, starting with Brock Boeser. Leading the team with 35 goals, Boeser continues to score at a high clip.

Entering this contest in excellent form, he has four goals over his past three games. Three of those came on the power play, and Boeser also leads the team in that category.

Like Buffalo, special teams have been an issue for Anaheim as it ranks last in penalty minutes taken per game and 27th in penalty kill percentage. Not that the Ducks are any better at even-strength, ranking 27th in xGA/60 at 5-on-5.

Finally, Boeser has three goals in his past two games against Anaheim.

Brock Boeser prop: Anytime goal (+155 at Bet99 - 0.5 units)

Prop bet #3: Pettersson pays off

My thinking here is simple: I am fairly confident that at least one of Elias Pettersson or Boeser will score against this defensively poor Anaheim team. If both score, all the better.

Backing up the Ducks is goaltender John Gibson, who has struggled to keep up with the poor play in front of him. Through 39 appearances this season, Gibson is 13-20-2 with a .898 SV% and 3.15 GAA.

He has now allowed three or more goals in four of his past five outings. Meanwhile, Pettersson received some great news yesterday as he and Vancouver agreed to an eight-year, $92.8-million extension.

While his on-ice play will hardly be impacted, one less distraction won’t hurt his cause moving forward. Not that his play needs improvement, ranking third on the team in goals and second in power-play goals.

Elias Pettersson prop: Anytime goal (+155 at Bet99 - 0.5 units)