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Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Golden Knights March 5: Back John Tavares and Matthew Knies for Toronto

The pregame narrative: Toronto has a plethora of offensive options at its disposal and I’m backing two of its forwards — John Tavares and Matthew Knies — to get on the score sheet.

Check out my Maple Leafs prop picks vs. the Golden Knights for March 5.

Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Golden Knights

Best Bet: Tavares 1+ points (-150)

The former captain is having a bounce-back season and the Leafs needed it.

Tavares is in the final year of his lucrative deal with his hometown Leafs and fans were ready to start a riot after he looked washed last season.

His 65 points in 80 games were the fewest in his career (aside from the shortened 2020 season, when he had 50 points in 56 games).

This year, he’s at nearly a point-per-game pace, recording 52 points in 54 outings. That’s probably still not worth the $11 million he’s owed, but it’s more manageable for a Toronto squad in serious pursuit of a Stanley Cup.

Plus Tavares has been rolling since the break. He has seven points in six games and is 5-1 against this wager.

Key stat: In the Leafs’ first game against Vegas back on Nov. 20, Tavares had two assists in a 3-0 win.

Quick pick

Knies 1+ points (+100): I think it’s gone way under the radar, but Knies is having a breakout season on the offensively stacked Leafs.

He’s not only been productive, but he’s carved out an important role on the Atlantic Division’s best team. Take a look at his stats:

57 games
41 points
18:26 average ice time
2:21 power play time

Knies is on a tidy four-game point streak, too, tallying three goals and two assists during that time.

Shea Theodore remains sidelined for Vegas after picking up an injury in the 4 Nations Face-Off. The Golden Knights allowed five goals against in two of the four games since.

Knies plays on the first line with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, and while those two skaters carry odds shorter than -220 to score a point, the left winger has a plus-money price tag on Wednesday.

Picks made at 3:08 p.m. ET 03/05/2025.

Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Golden Knights March 5: Back John Tavares and Matthew Knies for Toronto

The Toronto Maple Leafs continue their Western Conference road trip with a game against the Vegas Golden Knights.

The pregame narrative: Toronto has a plethora of offensive options at its disposal and I’m backing two of its forwards — John Tavares and Matthew Knies — to get on the score sheet.

Check out my Maple Leafs prop picks vs. the Golden Knights for March 5.

Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Golden Knights

Best Bet: Tavares 1+ points (-137)

Embed: #110832

The former captain is having a bounce-back season and the Leafs needed it.

Tavares is in the final year of his lucrative deal with his hometown Leafs and fans were ready to start a riot after he looked washed last season.

His 65 points in 80 games were the fewest in his career (aside from the shortened 2020 season, when he had 50 points in 56 games).

This year, he’s at nearly a point-per-game pace, recording 52 points in 54 outings. That’s probably still not worth the $11 million he’s owed, but it’s more manageable for a Toronto squad in serious pursuit of a Stanley Cup.

Plus Tavares has been rolling since the break. He has seven points in six games and is 5-1 against this wager.

Key stat: In the Leafs’ first game against Vegas back on Nov. 20, Tavares had two assists in a 3-0 win.

Quick pick

Knies 1+ points (+110): I think it’s gone way under the radar, but Knies is having a breakout season on the offensively stacked Leafs.

He’s not only been productive, but he’s carved out an important role on the Atlantic Division’s best team. Take a look at his stats:

57 games
41 points
18:26 average ice time
2:21 power play time

Knies is on a tidy four-game point streak, too, tallying three goals and two assists during that time.

Shea Theodore remains sidelined for Vegas after picking up an injury in the 4 Nations Face-Off. The Golden Knights allowed five goals against in two of the four games since.

Knies plays on the first line with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, and while those two skaters carry odds shorter than -220 to score a point, the left winger has a plus-money price tag on Wednesday.

Picks made at 11:22 a.m. ET 03/05/2025.

Best NHL anytime goalscorer picks March 4: Back Leon Draisaitl, Tage Thomspon on Tuesday

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.

Best NHL anytime goalscorer picks March 4: Back Leon Draisaitl, Tage Thomspon on Tuesday

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 (-122)

Embed: #110758

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 (+107): 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 3:12 p.m. ET on 03/04/2025.

Best NHL anytime goalscorer picks March 3: Bet on Auston Matthews, Cole Caufield to find the net

Auston Matthews and Cole Caufield are my picks to score during Monday’s NHL action.

The pregame narrative: Matthews is having a down year but draws an A-plus matchup against the San Jose Sharks. Caufield, meanwhile, has been surging and holds solid value to score against the Buffalo Sabres.

Check out my NHL anytime goal picks for March 3.

NHL anytime goal picks

Best Bet: Matthews anytime goalscorer (-120)

This is a steeper price to pay for an anytime goalscorer prop.

If you’re not into that, it’s understandable — I also like William Nylander to score for Toronto tonight at plus money, which I explain in my Maple Leafs vs. Sharks prop bets.

But I’m double-dipping on Toronto’s top dogs and for good reason. The Sharks are closer to an AHL team than a Stanley Cup contender and rank near the bottom of the NHL in a handful of meaningful defensive categories.

Check out how San Jose sits defensively on a 60-minute basis, per Natural Stat Trick:

32nd in goals (3.67)
32nd in shots (31.9)
31st in chances (66.33)
29th in high-danger chances (12.69)

That’s really, really bad.

Matthews hasn’t quite been himself this season but just got off the schneid on Sunday and is carrying a nine-game point streak into tonight’s contest.

The three-time Rocket Richard winner should have a boatload of opportunities to light the lamp tonight.

Key stat: Matthews has 12 goals in 13 career games against the Sharks, scoring in four of the last five meetings between these teams.

Quick pick

Caufield anytime goalscorer (+155): Team USA decided to leave Caufield at home for the 4 Nations Face-Off and it looks like the 24-year-old is using that to fuel the fire.

He’s scored in back-to-back games and now sits at 29 goals on the season, which is a career-high mark.

Caufield and the Canadiens aren’t expected to win on most nights but Montreal should have a solid chance at picking up points against Buffalo.

The Sabres give up the eighth-most high-danger chances per 60 (11.59).
Buffalo has the fifth-worst save percentage in the NHL (.893).

Caufield scored a goal against the Sabres on Saturday and had two goals against them on Nov. 11.

Picks made at 2:25 p.m. ET on 03/02/2025.

Best NHL anytime goalscorer picks March 3: Bet on Auston Matthews, Cole Caufield to find the net

Auston Matthews and Cole Caufield are my picks to score during Monday’s NHL action.

The pregame narrative: Matthews is having a down year but draws an A-plus matchup against the San Jose Sharks. Caufield, meanwhile, has been surging and holds solid value to score against the Buffalo Sabres.

Check out my NHL anytime goal picks for March 3.

NHL anytime goal picks

Embed: #110697

Best Bet: Matthews anytime goalscorer (-150)

This is a steep price to pay for an anytime goalscorer prop.

If you’re not into that, it’s understandable — I also like William Nylander to score for Toronto tonight at plus money, which I explain in my Maple Leafs vs. Sharks prop bets.

But I’m double-dipping on Toronto’s top dogs and for good reason. The Sharks are closer to an AHL team than a Stanley Cup contender and rank near the bottom of the NHL in a handful of meaningful defensive categories.

Check out how San Jose sits defensively on a 60-minute basis, per Natural Stat Trick:

32nd in goals (3.67)
32nd in shots (31.9)
31st in chances (66.33)
29th in high-danger chances (12.69)

That’s really, really bad.

Matthews hasn’t quite been himself this season but just got off the schneid on Sunday and is carrying a nine-game point streak into tonight’s contest.

The three-time Rocket Richard winner should have a boatload of opportunities to light the lamp tonight.

Key stat: Matthews has 12 goals in 13 career games against the Sharks, scoring in four of the last five meetings between these teams.

Quick pick

Caufield anytime goalscorer (+155): Team USA decided to leave Caufield at home for the 4 Nations Face-Off and it looks like the 24-year-old is using that to fuel the fire.

He’s scored in back-to-back games and now sits at 29 goals on the season, which is a career-high mark.

Caufield and the Canadiens aren’t expected to win on most nights but Montreal should have a solid chance at picking up points against Buffalo.

The Sabres give up the eighth-most high-danger chances per 60 (11.59).
Buffalo has the fifth-worst save percentage in the NHL (.893).

Caufield scored a goal against the Sabres on Saturday and had two goals against them on Nov. 11.

Picks made at 2:25 p.m. ET on 03/02/2025.

Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Sharks March 3: Bet on Nylander and Rielly to find the stat sheet

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a good chance of extending their winning streak when they host the San Jose Sharks on Monday.

The pregame narrative: Toronto’s offence is firing on all cylinders, and now it gets one of the worst teams in the NHL. I expect it to be point night at Scotiabank Arena for the Leafs and am backing Morgan Rielly and William Nylander to find the stat sheet.

Check out my Maple Leafs prop picks vs. the Sharks for March 3.

Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Sharks

Best Bet: Rielly 1+ points (+115)

Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, Nylander, John Tavares and Matthew Knies all hold odds of -150 or shorter to register a point.

That tells you two things: Firstly, Toronto’s offence is rolling. But more importantly, San Jose is terrible.

The Sharks rank last or near the bottom of the NHL in almost every defensive category on a 60-minute basis, per Natural Stat Trick:

32nd in goals (3.67)
32nd in shots (31.9)
31st in chances (66.33)
29th in high-danger chances (12.69)

Rielly is having a bad offensive year by his standards but has found some form recently with points in seven of his last nine games.

In that span, he’s scored two goals and logged eight assists.

Rielly leads the Maple Leafs in ice time and has been productive on the team’s second power-play unit lately. I expect him to turn in another strong performance.

Key stat: Rielly has recorded a point in nine of his last 10 games vs. the Sharks.

Quick pick

Nylander to score (+115): Nylander nonchalantly tucked his 35th goal of the season under the bar on Sunday, securing a victory for the Buds.

https://twitter.com/NHL/status/1896301523694460946

The Rocket Richard is likely out of reach with Leon Draisaitl (44 goals) boatracing the field, but Nylander is tied for second in the league and is on pace for a career-high 47 goals.

With that said, I’m shocked we can get him at plus money tonight.

I’ve covered the Sharks’ defensive problems, and all of that applies to Nylander. Toronto’s power play is cooking at the sixth-best rate since Feb. 1 (32.0%) and the Swedish winger is a big part of the first unit’s recent success.

San Jose has the ninth-worst penalty kill this season.

Picks made at 10:22 a.m. ET 03/03/2025.

Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Sharks March 3: Bet on Nylander and Rielly to find the stat sheet

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a good chance of extending their winning streak when they host the San Jose Sharks on Monday.

The pregame narrative: Toronto’s offence is firing on all cylinders, and now it gets one of the worst teams in the NHL. I expect it to be point night at Scotiabank Arena for the Leafs and am backing Morgan Rielly and William Nylander to find the stat sheet.

Check out my Maple Leafs prop picks vs. the Sharks for March 3.

Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Sharks

Best Bet: Rielly 1+ points (-109)

Embed: #110675

Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, Nylander, John Tavares and Matthew Knies all hold odds of -150 or shorter to register a point.

That tells you two things: Firstly, Toronto’s offence is rolling. But more importantly, San Jose is terrible.

The Sharks rank last or near the bottom of the NHL in almost every defensive category on a 60-minute basis, per Natural Stat Trick:

32nd in goals (3.67)
32nd in shots (31.9)
31st in chances (66.33)
29th in high-danger chances (12.69)

Rielly is having a bad offensive year by his standards but has found some form recently with points in seven of his last nine games.

In that span, he’s scored two goals and logged eight assists.

Rielly leads the Maple Leafs in ice time and has been productive on the team’s second power-play unit lately. I expect him to turn in another strong performance.

Key stat: Rielly has recorded a point in nine of his last 10 games vs. the Sharks.

Quick pick

Nylander to score (+107): Nylander nonchalantly tucked his 35th goal of the season under the bar on Sunday, securing a victory for the Buds.

https://twitter.com/NHL/status/1896301523694460946

The Rocket Richard is likely out of reach with Leon Draisaitl (44 goals) boatracing the field, but Nylander is tied for second in the league and is on pace for a career-high 47 goals.

With that said, I’m shocked we can get him at plus money tonight.

I’ve covered the Sharks’ defensive problems, and all of that applies to Nylander. Toronto’s power play is cooking at the sixth-best rate since Feb. 1 (32.0%) and the Swedish winger is a big part of the first unit’s recent success.

San Jose has the ninth-worst penalty kill this season.

Picks made at 10:22 a.m. ET 03/03/2025.

Best NHL anytime goalscorer picks March 2: Bet Predators’ Forsberg, Rangers’ Panarin to score

My eyes are fixated on one game for Sunday’s NHL anytime goal picks.

The pregame narrative: The Nashville Predators battle the New York Rangers and there are plenty of reasons to expect fireworks in that contest. I’m looking at two certified snipers — Filip Forsberg and Artemi Panarin — to light the lamp in this contest.

Check out my NHL anytime goal picks for March 2.

NHL anytime goal picks

Best Bet: Forsberg anytime goalscorer (+140)

Forsberg has a lot working in his favour on Sunday night.

For starters, this is one of the NHL’s premier shooters. Forsberg is sixth among all players in shots (211) and fourth in individual Corsi (457), according to Natural Stat Trick.

Although he only has one goal in his last five games, it isn’t for a lack of effort:

3+ shots in 4 of 5 games
16 shots during that stretch

The Predators star is having a bit of a down season. He has 22 goals after recording his second 40-goal season in 2023-24.

But tonight seems like a good night for him to tickle twine. He’s battling a Rangers squad that has some glaring holes:

New York is allowing the 12th-most goals per game (3.10).

The Rangers are tied for the fifth-worst expected goals-against mark (3.35).

Forsberg should be able to strike against a struggling New York team that traded away defenceman Ryan Lindgren on Saturday.

Key stat: New York allows the fourth-most shots per game (30.4).

Quick pick

Panarin anytime goalscorer (+145): There should be plenty of goals with two capable offences and poor defences squaring off.

The Predators can’t keep the puck out of their own net. They rank:

28th in goals against (3.34/game)
25th in shots against (29.5/game)
27th in team SV% (.887)

All of this sets up well for Panarin to score a goal.

The talented winger leads his team with 23 markers and 170 shots, making him the Rangers’ top candidate.

Panarin is goalless in six straight contests, but like Forsberg, the conditions are right for him to snap his slump.

Picks made at 2:25 p.m. ET on 03/02/2025.

Best NHL anytime goalscorer picks March 2: Bet Predators’ Forsberg, Rangers’ Panarin to score

My eyes are fixated on one game for Sunday’s NHL anytime goal picks.

The pregame narrative: The Nashville Predators battle the New York Rangers and there are plenty of reasons to expect fireworks in that contest. I’m looking at two certified snipers — Filip Forsberg and Artemi Panarin — to light the lamp in this contest.

Check out my NHL anytime goal picks for March 2.

NHL anytime goal picks

Embed: #110630

Best Bet: Forsberg anytime goalscorer (+165)

Forsberg has a lot working in his favour on Sunday night.

For starters, this is one of the NHL’s premier shooters. Forsberg is sixth among all players in shots (211) and fourth in individual Corsi (457), according to Natural Stat Trick.

Although he only has one goal in his last five games, it isn’t for a lack of effort:

3+ shots in 4 of 5 games
16 shots during that stretch

The Predators star is having a bit of a down season. He has 22 goals after recording his second 40-goal season in 2023-24.

But tonight seems like a good night for him to tickle twine. He’s battling a Rangers squad that has some glaring holes:

New York is allowing the 12th-most goals per game (3.10).

The Rangers are tied for the fifth-worst expected goals-against mark (3.35).

Forsberg should be able to strike against a struggling New York team that traded away defenceman Ryan Lindgren on Saturday.

Key stat: New York allows the fourth-most shots per game (30.4).

Quick pick

Panarin anytime goalscorer (+140): There should be plenty of goals with two capable offences and poor defences squaring off.

The Predators can’t keep the puck out of their own net. They rank:

28th in goals against (3.34/game)
25th in shots against (29.5/game)
27th in team SV% (.887)

All of this sets up well for Panarin to score a goal.

The talented winger leads his team with 23 markers and 170 shots, making him the Rangers’ top candidate.

Panarin is goalless in six straight contests, but like Forsberg, the conditions are right for him to snap his slump.

Picks made at 2:25 p.m. ET on 03/02/2025.