Today’s top NHL prop pick is a parlay featuring Connor Bedard and Clayton Keller.
The pregame narrative: The Colorado Avalanche have won five straight and welcome the struggling Chicago Blackhawks into town. But I don’t trust Colorado’s goaltending situation, which makes Bedard a prime target. Elsewhere, Clayton Keller should have a night against the NHL’s worst team.
Find my NHL prop pick for Oct. 28 below.
NHL prop pick
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Best Bet: Bedard and Keller 1+ points each (+105)
Colorado started the season off 0-4-0 before rattling off five straight wins.
One big reason for the team’s recent success is Justus Annunen. The 24-year-old netminder started the season behind Alexandar Georgiev on the depth chart but has taken the starting role after the latter imploded to begin the year.
Annunen entered in relief of Georgiev twice before making his first start against the San Jose Sharks, where he turned away 25 shots in a 4-1 win.
But he played yesterday, and that means Georgiev is likely back in net tonight. He owns a 4.99 GAA to pair with an unsightly .811 SV% and is allowing -2.47 goals below expected per 60, according to Money Puck.
Bedard is following up his Calder Trophy-winning rookie season in style, with three goals and nine points in nine games. He’s already the best player on the Blackhawks and I expect him to produce tonight.
Colorado is allowing the fourth-most goals per game (4.00).
Keller should feast against Sharks
It’s difficult to contextualize how bad the Sharks are, but let me try.
They went 19-54-9 last season, putting up the lowest points percentage this millennium (.287). And things are even worse for San Jose this season.
The club is 0-7-2 through nine games, allowing the second-most goals per game (4.22).
It’s a feeding frenzy for every team that plays the Sharks and I expect Keller to be the latest beneficiary.
The Utah Hockey Club forward has nine points in as many games, cashing this bet six times.
Those aren’t eye-popping numbers but he still leads the team in shots (28) and is second in chances (50), per Natural Stat Trick.
NHL picks made at 4:09 p.m. ET 10/28/2024.
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.