RADIO
Early in the National Hockey League season, trends are starting to emerge and sometimes they have already flipped.
Can Jack Hughes continue his recent surge and help the Devils handle the Tampa Bay Lightning? Will Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl lead the Oilers to a bounce-back performance in Columbus after losing in Detroit Tuesday? Does Elias Pettersson have what it takes to drive the Canucks to victory in Los Angeles?
Consider some of these angles before making your prop picks for tonight on Monkey Knife Fight.
TAMPA BAY-NEW JERSEY
OVER/UNDERS
Cory Schneider UNDER 29.5 SAVES – The Devils have been giving up plenty of shots, including 100 in Schneider’s past three starts, but the trouble is that Schneider hasn’t been particularly effective. With some expectation that the Devils could reduce their shots against, maybe it doesn’t have to reflect on Schneider that he may not go for 30 or more saves.
Jack Hughes OVER 3.5 FANTASY POINTS – After going scoreless in his first six games, the No. 1 pick in the 2019 Draft has hit his stride recently, putting up five points (2 G, 3 A) in the past three games. Now that he’s looking like a playmaker who can make a difference at this level, he should be able to cover this modest number.
EDMONTON-COLUMBUS
OVER/UNDERS
Joonas Korpisalo UNDER 29.5 SAVES – Even after surrendering 45 shots on goal in Korpisalo’s last start, the Blue Jackets have allowed an average of 29.8 shots against per game with Korpisalo in net. The fact that Korpisalo is in his third straight season of posting a sub-.900 save percentage also makes it tough to take his side when it comes to making a lot of saves.
Connor McDavid OVER 0.5 ASSISTS – Every Oilers game that offers up No. 97 with an over/under on assists is awfully tempting because McDavid creates so much offense but he’s recorded an assist in eight of 13 games so far this season.
MINNESOTA-ST. LOUIS
OVER/UNDERS
Alex Pietrangelo OVER 3.5 FANTASY POINTS – The main reason to be optimistic about Pietrangelo is that, in addition to his seven points (4 G, 3 A) in 12 games, he’s generating more than three shots on goal per game, which would be the highest rate of his career. Facing a reeling Wild team that played last night is a good opportunity.
FLORIDA-COLORADO
RAPID FIRE
Nathan MacKinnon -0.5 points vs. Evgeni Dadonov – While Colorado’s star center is missing his two wingers, as Mikko Rantanen and Gabriel Landeskog are out of the lineup, and that should have some negative impact on production, MacKinnon is still a play driver and shot generator so on home ice he is still the preferred pick over Dadonov.
OVER/UNDERS
Nazem Kadri OVER 3.5 FANTASY POINTS – With the Avalanche missing their top wingers, they have reportedly moved Kadri up the depth chart to play left wing on the top line with MacKinnon (and Joonas Donskoi). Kadri has been productive already, with five goals and 25 shots on goal in 11 games but getting a chance to play with MacKinnon raises his potential production ceiling.
MONTREAL-ARIZONA
OVER/UNDERS
Carey Price OVER 27.5 SAVES – The Coyotes have been taking the play to the opposition recently and that could have the Canadiens on their heels. Through nine starts this season, the Habs are allowing 29.9 shots per game with Price in net but if a road game against a surging Coyotes team moves that number up by one or two that opens the door to Price catching the over with 28 or more saves.
Clayton Keller OVER 2.5 FANTASY POINTS – Even though Keller has just one goal in 11 games, he does have eight points and 31 shots on goal. If he continues to create offensively, he should have a reasonable chance to get over this relatively low bar.
VANCOUVER-LOS ANGELES
OVER/UNDERS
Elias Pettersson OVER 3.5 FANTASY POINTS – The Canucks sophomore star has eight points in the past four games and his rare playmaking ability is helping to drive Vancouver’s offense early in the season. Facing a Kings team with a questionable defensive and goaltending record is not a problem matchup for Pettersson.
RAPID FIRE
Alexander Edler +0.5 shots + blocks vs. Drew Doughty – Name recognition is a hell of a drug. Edler is averaging more than five shots plus blocks per game, while Doughty is a little under (4.3 per game) so unless home ice causes a big shift, getting Edler plus the half in this case is the value play.
