I’m picking two players to score during Tuesday’s 10-game NHL slate.
The pregame narrative: Leon Draisaitl is running away with the Rocket Richard trophy and should add to his league-leading total tonight. Elsewhere, back Tage Thompson against a San Jose Sharks team playing on a back-to-back.
Check out my NHL anytime goal picks for March 4.
NHL anytime goal picks
Best Bet: Draisaitl anytime goalscorer (-118)
I’m not going to get cute with my best bet tonight. Draisaitl is on a heater, and his Edmonton Oilers host an awful defensive team in the Anaheim Ducks.
The German is pacing the league with 44 goals — nine ahead of second-place William Nylander.
Draisaitl has scored in eight of his last nine games and ranks near the top of the league in several key offensive categories, per Natural Stat Trick:
- 2nd in goals per 60 (2.04)
- 7th in expected goals (26.4)
- 14th in shot percentage (21.9)
The Oilers have struggled to defend lately — allowing 4.4 goals per game since returning to play on Feb. 22 — so there’s a good chance this becomes a barn-burner.
The Ducks allow 32.1 shots per game, which is tied for the most in the NHL.
Key stat: Draisaitl has scored in five of his last six games against the Ducks.
Quick pick
Thompson anytime goalscorer (+115): One of the only teams worse at defending than the Ducks is their cross-state rivals in San Jose.
- The Sharks allow the most goals (3.68) and shots (32.1) per game.
- They also give up the second-most chances on a 60-minute basis (66.4).
Thompson is one of the lone bright spots on an awful Sabres roster. He’s scored 29 goals in 53 games and his 1.76 goals per 60 ranks fourth behind Alex Ovechkin, Draisaitl and Brayden Point.
San Jose snapped an eight-game losing streak when it beat the Toronto Maple Leafs in a shootout on Monday, but I expect a return to regularly-scheduled programming tonight (getting blown out).
Picks made at 4:06 p.m. ET on 03/04/2025.
Avery joined NorthStar Gaming as an intern in 2022 before stepping into a full-time role soon after. He loves betting on and analyzing golf — mainly because it’s easier than actually playing — but is a fan of all sports, from the NFL to the UFC.