Contributing Writer

NHL prop picks Feb. 22: Bet Boeser and Holloway on Saturday

The NHL is back and I have two prop picks for Saturday’s loaded schedule.

The pregame narrative: I have a pick on Brock Boeser on Saturday as the winger is expected to pick up the slack for injured teammates. I also like Dylan Holloway to get on the score sheet on Saturday.

Check out my NHL prop picks for Feb. 22.

NHL prop picks

Best Bet: Boeser to score 1+ points (-120)

The Vancouver Canucks have been the NHL’s most unpredictable team this season.

They were outside a playoff spot for much of the season but are currently holding the final spot following a three-game win streak heading into the break.

The Canucks are much better on the road (15-8-4) than at home (11-10-7) and are the only team in the league with double-digit overtime losses (11).

They recently traded away top point producer J.T. Miller and will be missing Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson on Saturday.

Someone will need to step up and my money’s on Boeser. The winger has eight points in the last 11 games and should see an uptick in playing time with Pettersson sidelined.

Boeser has logged 20-plus minutes in eight games this season, including in three of the last five.

The Vegas Golden Knights provide a tough matchup, but that gives bettors a nice buy-low opportunity.

Holloway to score 1+ points (+105): Holloway was an impactful player for the Edmonton Oilers during their run to the Stanley Cup Final last year.

He used that strong play to earn a two-year contract with the St. Louis Blues. So far, he’s making the most of it.

Holloway ranks third on the Blues in points with 40 in 56 games. Since Dec. 23, he has 21 points in 21 games and is 14-7 against this line.

The Winnipeg Jets allow the fewest goals per game (2.4) but they’re worse on the road and will be starting Eric Comrie to give Connor Hellebuyck some much-needed rest.

Picks made at 1:30 p.m. ET on 02/22/2025.

Maple Leafs vs. Hurricanes props Feb. 22: Look for Tavares and Jarvis to contribute on offence

The Toronto Maple Leafs host the Carolina Hurricanes in a marquee matchup following the break.

The pregame narrative: John Tavares has been playing inspiring hockey since returning from injury and I like the veteran to record a point tonight. Seth Jarvis is also primed for a big showing following a stint with Team Canada.

Check out my Maple Leafs vs. Hurricanes props for Feb. 22.

Maple Leafs vs. Hurricanes props

Best bet: Tavares to score 1+ points (-129)

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The first meeting between the Leafs and Hurricanes this season wasn’t good for Toronto or Tavares.

On Jan. 9, Carolina won 6-3 and the former captain finished with no points and a -1 rating. Two positives to note were his four shots and 18:59 of ice time.

Shortly after that, Tavares would miss multiple weeks with injury. But he was rolling in his four games back before the break.

1+ points in 3/4 games.

Since Dec. 12, Tavares has 22 points in 21 games.

Tavares scored 65 points in 80 games last season and looked like a shell of himself at times. He’s playing much better this year, tallying 45 points in 48 games.

Carolina is a very good defensive team, giving up the sixth-fewest goals (2.7) per game, but Tavares has been extremely consistent in the offensive zone regardless of the matchup.

Key stat: Tavares has at least a point in 32 of 48 games (66.7%).

Quick pick

Jarvis to score 1+ points (-139): Jarvis was on a heater heading into the break.

He had four points his last time out (vs. Utah on Feb. 8).

He has 15 points in 13 games since Jan. 13.

The 23-year-old should be beaming with confidence right now after breaking into Canada’s lineup and contributing to the tournament win.

After the Hurricanes traded for Mikko Rantanen, Jarvis now plays with him on the first line alongside another Finn, Sebastian Aho.

That is one of the strongest trios in the entire NHL, and the Canadian winger is benefiting nicely.

Jarvis scored a goal in that first meeting with the Leafs. I expect another strong performance on Saturday.

Picks made at 12:05 p.m. ET on 02/22/2025.

NHL prop picks Feb. 22: Bet on Doughty, Boeser and Holloway on Saturday

The NHL is back and I have three prop picks for Saturday’s loaded schedule.

The pregame narrative: Drew Doughty made his mark for Team Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off and I believe he can carry that momentum into the NHL regular season. I have picks on Brock Boeser and Dylan Holloway, too.

Check out my NHL prop picks for Feb. 22.

NHL prop picks

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Best Bet: Doughty to score 1+ points (-107)

Doughty missed the first portion of the season recovering from injury, but what better way to shake off the rust than with a call-up to Team Canada?

And the veteran defenceman played an important role in the Canadians’ tournament win.

He played just shy of 21 minutes in the final against the USA, the fourth most among Canada’s defencemen.

Not bad for his 10th game of hockey since the injury.

In six appearances with the Los Angeles Kings this season, Doughty only has one point. But I truly believe playing on the international stage with the best players in the world will have a positive effect on him moving forward.

He’s playing typical top-defenceman minutes (26:57), but the production hasn’t matched … yet.

Doughty recorded 50 points in 82 games last season and still has plenty left in the tank at 35 years old.

Key stat: The Kings are 17-3-2 at home, scoring 3.3 goals per game.

Quick picks

Boeser to score 1+ points (-107): The Vancouver Canucks have been the NHL’s most unpredictable team this season.

They were outside a playoff spot for much of the season but are currently holding the final spot following a three-game win streak heading into the break.

The Canucks are much better on the road (15-8-4) than at home (11-10-7) and are the only team in the league with double-digit overtime losses (11).

They recently traded away top point producer J.T. Miller and will be missing Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson on Saturday.

Someone will need to step up and my money’s on Boeser. The winger has eight points in the last 11 games and should see an uptick in playing time with Pettersson sidelined.

Boeser has logged 20-plus minutes in eight games this season, including in three of the last five.

The Vegas Golden Knights provide a tough matchup, but that gives bettors a nice buy-low opportunity.

Holloway to score 1+ points (+105): Holloway was an impactful player for the Edmonton Oilers during their run to the Stanley Cup Final last year.

He used that strong play to earn a two-year contract with the St. Louis Blues. So far, he’s making the most of it.

Holloway ranks third on the Blues in points with 40 in 56 games. Since Dec. 23, he has 21 points in 21 games and is 14-7 against this line.

The Winnipeg Jets allow the fewest goals per game (2.4) but they’re worse on the road and will be starting Eric Comrie to give Connor Hellebuyck some much-needed rest.

Picks made at 10:30 a.m. ET on 02/22/2025.

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Felix Auger-Aliassime vs. Andrey Rublev Qatar Open semifinal best bet and odds: Back the Canadian at underdog price

Felix Auger-Aliassime looks for another ATP final berth in a semifinal match against Andrey Rublev at Doha on Friday.

The pregame narrative: The Canadian is playing the best tennis of his young career right now and I’m predicting another ATP final appearance. My best bet is on the underdog Auger-Aliassime to win.

Check out my Auger-Aliassime vs. Rublev Qatar Open best bet and the odds for the semifinal match on Feb. 21.

Auger-Aliassime vs. Rublev best bet

Go to full Auger-Aliassime vs. Rublev betting markets.

Betting markets	Odds
Auger-Aliassime to win	+118
Rublev to win	-148
Over 24.5 total games	+102
Under 24.5 total games	-130

Tennis odds as of 9:30 p.m. ET on 02/20/2025.

Best Bet: Auger-Aliassime to win (+132)

It would be easy to look at the head-to-head history between these competitors and come to the conclusion that Rublev is in for a cakewalk. But let’s take a deeper dive.

The Russian tennis star holds a 5-1 record over the Canadian but the matches were fairly close.

According to matchstat.com, Auger-Aliassime has won 93 games compared to Rublev’s 99.

That’s unusual for such a lopsided H2H record but it paints the picture of how closely contested these two have been in the past.

I also have to harp on how successful FAA’s 2025 campaign has started. He’s already won two ATP titles (Adelaide and Montpellier) and is 12-3 overall.

Compare that to Rublev’s zero ATP title wins and 7-4 2025 record and it’s obvious the Canadian is playing better tennis right now.

The Russian has yet to reach a final this year, either.

Rublev’s best performance was in Montpellier where he lost in straight sets in the semis to Aleksandar Kovacevic. FAA beat Kovacevic in the final (6-2, 6-7, 7-6).

Auger-Aliassime is the better-rested player, too, which gives him an extra advantage.

According to Tennis Tonic, he’s played just over three hours at the Qatar Open, while Rublev is a tad shy of five hours of on-court time.

Key stat: FAA is 3-0 against top 10 opponents (No. 4 Taylor Fritz, No. 9 Tommy Paul, No. 6 Daniil Medvedev) to start 2025. Rublev currently ranks 10th in the world.

Picks made at 3:54 p.m. ET on 02/20/2025.

EPL Matchday 26 picks and predictions: Bet the under in Manchester City vs. Liverpool, back Everton

The Premier League reaches Matchday 26 and I have two picks for this weekend.

The pregame narrative: Manchester City and Liverpool are the top-two scoring teams in England but I’m opting to side with defence in a matchup between powerhouse opponents. My other pick is on Everton which has been red-hot since making a managerial change.

Check out the best EPL Matchday 26 picks.

EPL Matchday 26 picks

Go to full Premier League betting markets.

Best Bet: Manchester City/Liverpool under 3.5 goals (-125)

Let’s start by noting that Liverpool scores the most goals (2.4) per game in the EPL while Manchester City scores the second most (2.1).

So why take the under? Well, the first game played between these sides on Dec. 1 ended in 2-0 in favour of Liverpool. In that match, the Reds held Man City to just two shots on goal.

Each of the two meetings last season also finished below this total.

According to Fotmob, Liverpool is tied for the most clean sheets (10), concedes the second-fewest goals (1.0) per game, and has the second-fewest xG against (24.1).

I expect a more cautious approach from the Reds on the road where I believe they can shut down a middling Manchester City side.

Key stat: Liverpool has allowed one or fewer goals in 17 of 26 EPL games this season. It also has a clean sheet victory in the UCL league phase vs. Real Madrid.

Quick pick

Everton to win (+155): This is as simple as buying in on England’s hottest team.

Everton parted ways with manager Sean Dyche in early January and it appears a move should’ve been made earlier.

The club brought back David Moyes and it’s working wonders so far. Moyes managed Everton from 2002-2013 and he had a winning record during that tenure (218-139-161).

Since rejoining as manager, Moyes’ group is 4-1-1 in the EPL with a draw in the Merseyside Derby that sent Everton’s fans into a frenzy.

https://twitter.com/thecasualultra/status/1889983141705908430

It’s hard to blame them after their side’s been fighting to avoid relegation for the past few seasons.

And now the Toffees are climbing the EPL standings, currently sitting in 14th place, one position ahead of Manchester United.

The Red Devils have been struggling mightily, losing three of their past four Premier League fixtures.

I would’ve avoided Everton like the plague just over a month ago and now the side found a new gear and is looking like the Moyes-led teams of years past.

Picks made at 2:22 p.m. on 02/20/25.

EPL Matchday 26 picks and predictions: Bet the under in Manchester City vs. Liverpool, back Everton

The Premier League reaches Matchday 26 and I have two picks for this weekend.

The pregame narrative: Manchester City and Liverpool are the top-two scoring teams in England but I’m opting to side with defence in a matchup between powerhouse opponents. My other pick is on Everton which has been red-hot since making a managerial change.

Check out the best EPL Matchday 26 picks.

EPL Matchday 26 picks

Go to full Premier League betting markets.

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Best Bet: Manchester City/Liverpool under 3.5 goals (-127)

Let’s start by noting that Liverpool scores the most goals (2.4) per game in the EPL while Manchester City scores the second most (2.1).

So why take the under? Well, the first game played between these sides on Dec. 1 ended in 2-0 in favour of Liverpool. In that match, the Reds held Man City to just two shots on goal.

Each of the two meetings last season also finished below this total.

According to Fotmob, Liverpool is tied for the most clean sheets (10), concedes the second-fewest goals (1.0) per game, and has the second-fewest xG against (24.1).

I expect a more cautious approach from the Reds on the road where I believe they can shut down a middling Manchester City side.

Key stat: Liverpool has allowed one or fewer goals in 17 of 26 EPL games this season. It also has a clean sheet victory in the UCL league phase vs. Real Madrid.

Quick pick

Everton to win (+160): This is as simple as buying in on England’s hottest team.