Connor McDavid headlines Monday’s NHL prop picks.
The pregame narrative: McDavid is rolling, ranking second in points through the first month and change of the season. He has a solid opportunity to add to his goal total tonight when the Edmonton Oilers play the Buffalo Sabres
Check out my NHL prop picks for Nov. 17, featuring a pick on Utah Mammoth defenceman Mikhail Sergachev.
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NHL prop picks
Best bet: McDavid to score (+123)
You have to feel bad for Sabres fans at this point.
Buffalo is again at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with 16 points in 18 games. There are no signs of improvement either, as the squad has dropped eight of its last 10 contests.
During that stretch, the Sabres have allowed an unsightly 4.1 goals per game.
All three of Buffalo’s goalies who have played this year have a goals-against average north of 3.00, and it appears 25-year-old Colten Ellis will get the start tonight. Ellis has allowed eight goals in his last two games and would be making his fourth career start.
-> Bet on McDavid and the Oilers tonight
With all that said, this shapes up to be a mouth-watering matchup for McDavid.
He’s not skating with Leon Draisaitl, but that doesn’t matter. McDavid drives his own line and leads all Oilers forwards in the following 5v5 marks, per Natural Stat Trick:
- Shots (39)
- Scoring chances (48)
- High-danger chances (19)
- Expected goals (4.80)
Key stat: McDavid has eight goals in his last 10 games.
NHL predictions
Sergachev to score 1+ point (-130): Sergachev has been a beast in his second season with Utah.
The 6-foot-3 defenceman leads the team in ice time (24:58) by a wide margin, and has been extremely active in the offensive zone.
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Sergachev was held pointless through the first six games of the season, but has gone nuclear since:
- 3 goals
- 11 assists
- 1+ point in 10 of 12 games
Utah is playing on the road against the Anaheim Ducks, who have lost three straight. Goaltender Lukas Dostal, who’s expected to start, has an .895 SV% in November.
NHL prop picks made at 11:31 a.m. ET on 11/17/2025.
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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.