Postseason positioning in the Western Conference is the only thing on the line in the NHL tonight, as the third seed in the Pacific Division and two wild-card spots are yet to be determined.
The Vegas Golden Knights and Los Angeles Kings are both huge home favorites in the NHL odds, and the outcomes of their games will finalize the playoff picture.
Here are our free NHL picks and NHL player props for the final day of the regular season on Thursday, April 18.
NHL prop picks and best bets for April 18
- Brossoit Over 25.5 saves (-120 at Bet99)
- Hill Over 22.5 saves (-125 at Bet99)
- Bedard Over 2.5 shots (-135 at Bet99)
Picks made on April 18 at 2:00 p.m. ET.
Read full analysis of each pick.
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Today’s NHL prop picks and best bets
Prop bet #1: Backing Brossoit
Winnipeg Jets starter Laurent Brossoit has allowed two goals or fewer in 12 of his past 16 starts, and he sports an elite .928 save percentage for the campaign. The Vancouver Canucks have also shown an uptick in shot volume to close out the season with 31.1 per game in the past eight.
Additionally, the Jets are expected to be resting several regulars, so a few more shooting opportunities should be available for the Canucks. Finally, I value these Laurent Brossoit odds because I anticipate both teams to be looking ahead and the depth players slotting into the lineup to be looking to make an impression. And, putting shots on net is one of the easiest ways to be noticed.
Laurent Brossoit prop: Over 25.5 saves (-120 at Bet99)
Prop bet #2: Anaheim peppers Adin
The Vegas Golden Knights are battling several injuries, while the Anaheim Ducks have an influx of youngsters in their lineup looking to show off in hopes of strengthening their case for a roster spot next fall. As a result, I expect Anaheim to put plenty of shots on net.
Vegas goalie Adin Hill is also ripe to rebound after allowing eight goals with an .837 save percentage across two starts since returning from a lower-body injury. These Adin Hill odds also catch my attention because it’s his lowest saves total across his past 10 starts, with 25.5 the prior shortest number.
Adin Hill prop: Over 22.5 saves (-125 at Bet99)
Prop bet #3: Bedard caps off Calder campaign
Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard has only topped this shot total once across his past five games, and his 4.31 shots and 9.85 attempts per 60 minutes are way below his respective season-long 9.29 and 18.12 marks. With the Los Angeles Kings likely pulling away early as a huge home favorite and then sitting back on a lead, I like a bounce-back showing from the rookie in the shot department in the season finale.
I’m also targeting these Connor Bedard odds because he’s regularly traded at a 3.5-shot total, and there isn’t a crippling vig attached to this decreased number. Additionally, while the Kings suppress opposing shots with the best teams in the league, I think it’s being overpriced in this particular spot.
Connor Bedard prop: Over 2.5 shots (-135 at Bet99)
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