Jackson Kerbl

NHL fans are treated to a hefty ten-game slate on Thursday.

The pregame narrative: The Winnipeg Jets aim for their fifth-straight victory as they travel to Boston to take on the Bruins. I’m backing forward Gabriel Vilardi to record a point. Elsewhere, I have player prop picks on Connor Bedard and Pavel Dorofeyev.

Check out my NHL prop picks for Jan. 30.

NHL prop picks

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Best bet: Dorofeyev over 0.5 points (-159)

Dorofeyev failed to find the scoresheet when I took this bet last Friday, but I like him to bounce back in tonight’s matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Here is how the Blue Jackets rank in some categories:

• T26th in goals allowed/game: 3.34
• 26th in penalty kill: 74.8%
• 27th high-danger chances/60: 12.6, per Natural Stat Trick

Dorofeyev played just 47 games last year, scoring 13 goals and 24 points. This season, in 51 games, he’s recorded 22 goals and 33 points.

The 24-year-old has made the most of his opportunity to be promoted to Vegas’ No. 1 power-play unit, where he’s potted 10 of his 22 goals. He leads the Knights in PP tallies.

Key stat: Dorofeyev has 12 points in his last nine games.

Quick picks

Vilardi over 0.5 points (-141): This Jets team has been buzzing lately with a scorching hot offence.

A big contributor has been Vilardi and his breakout season with Winnipeg.

The Kingston, Ont. native has already set a new career high in points, currently with 49, and is one goal shying from tying his previous record (23).

In just his second season with the Jets, Vilardi’s been promoted to the top forward line playing alongside Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele.

Vilardi also plays on the first unit of the league’s No. 1 ranked power play, operating at a 32.6% success rate. He leads the Jets in PP goals with 11.

The former L.A. King has eight points in his last four games.

Bedard over 0.5 points (-132): The Blackhawks are finally starting to come around offensively over the past few weeks.

They scored 17 goals over their last five games, averaging 3.40 goals per game — compared to their 2.62 season average.

Bedard has been leading the charge with 18 points in the last 17 games with a shooting percentage of 18.4% over that stretch.

The former first-overall pick was held off the scoresheet in the last meeting between these teams on Jan. 20, setting up a classic revenge spot.

Picks made at 11:25 a.m. ET on 01/20/2025.

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The Toronto Maple Leafs host the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday night.

The pregame narrative: Two teams in playoff position square off at Scotiabank Arena, sitting even with 62 points apiece. Bet on Auston Matthews to score a goal and Bobby McMann to record a point. I also have a fade prop on Mitch Marner’s shot total.

Check out my Maple Leafs props vs. Wild for Jan. 29.

Maple Leafs props vs. Wild

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Best bet: Marner under 2.5 shots (-157)

Marner is on pace to smash his single-season points record (99), which he set two seasons ago.

The Markham, Ontario native already has 68 points through 50 games, including 23 multi-point games.

The majority of his points come via assist, which makes sense given that he skates alongside one of the NHL’s best goalscorers.

Marner’s shooting percentage (12.8%) is his lowest mark since the COVID season, and his total shot attempts have regressed.

The Wild are a good team that pose a tough matchup for a Leafs squad that has lost back-to-back games.

Key stat: Marner has gone under 2.5 shots in nine of his last 10 games.

Quick picks

McMann over 0.5 points (-136): McMann is in the midst of a breakout season, providing a nice spark for the Maple Leafs’ offence.

He’s two goals and three points away from passing both totals from his rookie year.

Toronto head coach Craig Berube recognizes McMann’s skill and has promoted the sophomore to the No. 1 power-play unit, which operates at 21.6% success rate.

McMann’s average ice time is up nearly three minutes from last season. That’s what happens when you skate on the top line with Matthews and Marner.

The Alberta native has five points in his last five games.

Matthews anytime goalscorer (-110): Matthews has missed some time this season with two separate stints on the injured list.

He has 20 goals in 35 games this year and is on pace for 46 over an 82-game stretch. That’s not exactly the type of production we’re used to seeing from the three-time Rocket Richard winner.

This month, Matthews has returned to full form.

The sharpshooting centre has nine goals and 15 points in his last 11 games with a whopping 26.5% shooting percentage.

Matthews snapped his five-game goal streak on Saturday against Ottawa, but I believe he starts up a fresh one tonight.

Picks made at 1:50 p.m. ET on 01/29/2025.

Five games are on tap in the NHL on Wednesday night.

The pregame narrative: The Utah Hockey Club hope to avoid a three-game skid when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins. I’m backing Barrett Hayton to pick up a point against a struggling defence. I also have player props on Jonathan Marchessault and Sam Bennett.

Check out my NHL prop picks for Jan. 28.

NHL prop picks

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Best bet: Hayton over 0.5 points (+140)

I’m fading Pittsburgh’s defence and goaltending more than anything with this pick.

It’s been a rough season for the Pens as they rank towards the bottom in most defensive categories.

• 31st in goals allowed/game: 3.6
• 29th in shots allowed/game: 30.9
• Fourth-most high-danger goals against per 60: 1.65, according to Natural Stat Trick

After a sluggish start to the season, Hayton has picked up his game since the new year with 10 points in 12 games.

These teams met on Nov. 23, where Utah came out on top in a 6-1 bloodbath.

Key stat: Hayton has recorded six points in the last four games.

Quick picks

Bennett over 2.5 shots (+120): Bennett’s Panthers take on the Los Angeles Kings in a tough matchup. Los Angeles has been one of the more dominant teams on the defensive side this season.

Normally, this would be a classic fade spot, however, Bennett’s play has been encouraging lately so I’m backing him.

He’s cleared this mark in seven straight contests and eight of his last 10.

The Panthers also rank third in the NHL in shots on goal per game (31.1).

Marchessault over 2.5 shots (-130): I’m riding another hot hand known for shooting a ton.

Marchessault is one of only 10 players who have recorded 2,000 shots on goal since the 2016-17 NHL season, per Statmuse.

Despite the lack of offence this season, Nashville still shoots the fifth-most in the league (30.2 shots/game).

The former Golden Knight has cleared this mark in five straight games and eight of the last nine.

Picks made at 11:30 a.m. ET on 01/29/2025.

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The New York Rangers host the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night.

The pregame narrative: Carolina aims to extend its win streak to three against the divisional foes. I’m backing Mikko Rantanen and Adam Fox in the shots department while fading Chris Kreider.

Check out my Hurricanes vs. Rangers props for Jan. 28.

Hurricanes vs. Rangers prop picks

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Best bet: Rantanen over 2.5 shots (-136)

Rantanen did just about everything but find the scoresheet in his game first with the Hurricanes.

The Finn had five shots in 18:54 and a +1 rating in the 3-2 overtime loss to the New York Islanders on Saturday.

I love his matchup tonight against the Rangers who rank T28th in shots allowed/game (30.9).

New York is known to be a little careless in its own zone this season. They allow the third-most high-danger chances per 60 (12.86), per Natural Stat Trick.

Everyone knows Rantanen’s star power. But it’s always nice to make a good impression in a new setting — which is why he should smash this mark tonight.

Key stat: Carolina ranks No. 1 in shots per game (32.0).

Quick picks

Fox over 1.5 shots (-118): The Hurricanes have a hard-nosed defence led by head coach Rod Brind’Amour, but I’ve liked what I’ve seen out of Fox’s play lately.

The former Norris Trophy winner has a combined nine shots in his last two games, and cleared this line in three of five, with five points over that stretch.

His shooting percentage has been a career-low this season (3.6%), with 37 of his 40 points coming via assist. He’s shown more promise lately with his amount of shots increasing.

The Rangers also rank seventh in shots per game (30.0).

Frederik Anderson is in goal for Carolina and has been lights out this season (5-1-0, 2.15 GAA). New York will have to pepper him early and often to throw him off his game.

Kreider under 0.5 points (-148): Kreider is having a season from hell, with trade rumours being circulated around him for months now.

The 33-year-old has just 17 points in 41 games and is on pace for the lowest offensive output (28 points) since his rookie season.

The Hurricanes rank in the top 10 in every major defensive category. And as previously mentioned, have a hot goaltender in the crease tonight.

Picks made at 3:20 p.m. ET on 01/28/2025.

The Calgary Flames welcome the Washington Capitals in town on Tuesday night.

The pregame narrative: The Flames try to stay in the Western Conference playoff hunt, going up against one of the league’s best teams. I’m fading Blake Coleman and Connor McMichael while backing Alex Ovechkin.

Check out my Capitals vs. Flames props for Jan. 28.

Capitals vs. Flames prop picks

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Best bet: McMichael under 1.5 shots (+110)

I’m going back to the well with this pick, and at plus-money, it seems like a steal.

This bet hit last Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers when McMichael recorded one shot on goal.

With all of the Capitals’ offensive success this season, they only average 27.3 shots per game (23rd in the NHL).

McMichael is having a breakout year, already setting a new career high in points (36) just over halfway through the campaign.

The Ajax native plays alongside Ovechkin, diminishing his shooting opportunities, a trade-off I’m sure he’s more than willing to accept.

Key stat: This bet has cashed in seven of the last eight games.

Quick picks

Ovechkin over 0.5 points (-165): I’m willing to take Ovechkin’s point line at this price, considering it probably won’t last.

The Great 8’s shooting numbers are down this season. However, he still has 22 goals in 33 games with a shooting percentage well above his career average (18.5%).

The Capitals offence as a whole has been lights out this year.

• 3rd in goals/game: 3.49
• T10th in power play: 22.6%
• 1st in shooting percentage: 12.8%
• 3rd in high-danger goals/60: 1.66, according to Natural Stat Trick.

The three-time Hart winner has eight points in his last six games versus the Flames.

Calgary’s penalty kill is fourth-worst in the league (71.2%), making this pick all the more enticing.

Coleman under 0.5 points (-141): Logan Thompson is the confirmed starting goalie for Washington tonight. That’s not ideal for anyone on the Flames roster.

Thompson hasn’t allowed more than two goals in a game in five straight outings, and he’s improved his record on the year to 22-2-3. He has played a large role in the Capitals’ Presidents Trophy run.

Coleman has 26 points in 48 games this season, playing on Calgary’s second line and second power-play unit.

He hasn’t fared well against the Caps in his career, just seven points in 17 games.

Picks made at 12:20 p.m. ET on 01/28/2025.

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NHL fans are treated to eight games on Tuesday night.

The pregame narrative: The Tampa Bay Lightning host the dreadful Chicago Blackhawks and I’m backing Tampa’s best player, Nikita Kucherov, to produce on the power play. Elsewhere, I have prop picks on Martin Necas and Brandon Montour.

Check out my NHL prop picks for Jan. 28.

NHL prop picks

Go to full NHL betting markets.

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Best bet: Kucherov over 0.5 power-play points (-157)

This is my bread-and-butter prop pick that I refuse to steer away from, no matter how juicy the odds get.

My last Kucherov pick was on Friday, when the Russian superstar recorded three points — all on the man advantage — against this same Chicago squad.

The 31-year-old is now up to 73 points on the season, including 30 on the power play, and he’s showing no signs of regression.

Chicago allows the third-most goals per game (3.45) and the most high-danger goals per 60 (1.73), according to Natural Stat Trick.

Key stat: Tampa Bay’s power play ranks fourth in the NHL (27.9%).

Quick picks

Montour over 2.5 shots (-125): Since his 73-point campaign in 2022-23, Montour’s offensive production has taken a step back.

In the last two years, he’s recorded just 56 combined points. Despite his lack of points, the Kraken defenceman is shooting more in January.

In his last 10 games, he’s averaging 3.0 shots and 22:00 minutes with just one assist to show for it.

Anaheim allows the second-most shots per game (32.4) and expected goals against per 60 (3.57).

Montour has cleared this line in three straight games, tallying 11 shots in total over that stretch.

Necas over 0.5 power-play points (+240): Necas is off to a nice start with his new team.

In his two games with the Colorado Avalanche, he has two points (including one on the power play) and is averaging north of 22 minutes on the first line.

It’s been a seamless transition for the Czech native, and he finds himself in a plus matchup tonight.

The New York Islanders have the league’s worst penalty kill (68.3%).

Picks made at 10:40 a.m. ET on 01/28/2025.