I’m looking for a trio of NHL players to cash their point props to end 2024.
The pregame narrative: Michael Bunting is on a surprising run of production and he’s a strong candidate to record a point on Tuesday. Elsewhere, Steven Stamkos and Jake DeBrusk are my choices to close out the year with nice performances.
Check out my NHL prop picks for Dec. 31.
NHL prop picks
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Best Bet: Bunting to score 1+ points (+106)
Unsurprisingly, Bunting’s recent hot streak is flying under the radar.
The Pittsburgh Penguins forward is riding a three-game goal and points streak. He’s tallied four goals and five points during this run, helping the Pens score a pair of victories.
A good chunk of the winger’s production has come on the power play. Three of his markers during this stretch have come on the man advantage, and that’s where I see him being a threat on Tuesday.
Pittsburgh visits the Detroit Red Wings, and the latter owns one of the league’s worst penalty kills.
The Red Wings are an awful 31st on the penalty kill (69.7%) and surrender the eighth-most goals per game (3.28) in the NHL.
Pittsburgh’s struggles this season are well-documented, but it does boast a league-average offence. It places 15th in goals per game (3.08) this year.
Key stat: Bunting is second on the Penguins with nine power-play points this season.
Quick picks
Stamkos to score 1+ points (-117): The Nashville Predators didn’t receive the boost they were expecting after adding Stamkos.
The Predators are a pitiful 11-19-7 this season and are nowhere near the playoffs. Stamkos’ 11 goals and 22 points across 37 games aren’t going to turn heads, but his production is trending upwards.
Stamkos has nine points in his last nine games. His chances at finding the score sheet tonight are boosted by his opponent, the Minnesota Wild.
Minnesota is ceding the sixth-fewest goals per game (2.68) but does own the third-worst penalty kill in the NHL (70.0%).
Stamkos’ 12 power-play points lead the Preds, making this a nice opportunity to back the veteran.
DeBrusk to score 1+ points (-127): Like Bunting, DeBrusk has proven to be a streaky player throughout his career.
The Vancouver Canucks winger has a point in three consecutive games after going four contests without a point.
He’s coming off a two-point performance against the Seattle Kraken where he registered a power-play point.
DeBrusk skates on Vancouver’s top power play, which has a plus matchup against the Calgary Flames. Calgary ranks a lowly 29th in penalty kill percentage this season (72.2%).
This will be the third meeting between the Flames and Canucks this season. DeBrusk has a point in the previous two contests.
Picks made at 1:25 p.m. 12/31/2024.
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Stevie’s an avid NFL, NHL, and tennis bettor who has no problem talking himself into the underdog. His previous stops include Yahoo! Sports Canada and Toronto Metropolitan University, where he received a degree in Sport Media.