Three forwards contribute to today’s NHL prop picks.
The pregame narrative: The New York Rangers bring the best league’s offence into Motor City and I expect Vincent Trocheck to contribute. I’m also backing Tim Stutzle to top his shot total and Jordan Eberle to record a point.
Find these NHL prop picks for Oct. 17 below.
NHL prop picks
Go to full NHL betting markets.
Best Bet: Trocheck over 2.5 shots (-136)
This is simple. The Rangers score the most goals per game (5.0), and Trocheck has taken the most shots for them … by a lot.
In three games, the 31-year-old centre has taken 11 shots and has cleared this total in each contest.
Players like Artemi Panarin have a 3.5 shot total even though the results haven’t been as promising (seven shots).
I’d rather buy low on the name value and take the guy who’s been peppering goalies this year.
Another encouraging sign is Trocheck’s time on ice. He’s averaging 22:41 per game — the more he’s out there the more potential there is for shots.
Key stat: The Detroit Red Wings allow the fourth-most shots per game (32.7).
Quick picks
Stutzle over 2.5 shots (+100): This pick is based more on potential than recent outcomes.
Despite having six points in three games, Stutzle has cleared this total just once. I predict that to change, however, and that’s because of his shot totals over recent seasons.
Stutzle has averaged 2.76 shots per game over his last two years so statistically there’s good value here at plus money.
This is definitely going against the trend but I’m willing to take a risk on things changing for one of the NHL’s brightest young offensive players.
Eberle over 0.5 points (+108): Seattle’s captain has points in three of four games and has a relatively good matchup against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Philly is tied for the six-most goals against per game (4.0) and leads the league in penalty minutes per game (18.3).
That should give Eberle a lot of chances to get on the board and add to his point-per-game pace.
Picks made at 12:50 p.m. ET on 10/16/2024.
Spencer is a true sports junkie. A graduate of the Sports Journalism program at Centennial College, he first joined NorthStar Gaming as an intern in 2023. He is now a contributing writer. He loves finding the edge to bet on in all sports but has a deep passion for the NBA and UFC. Previous stops include Sportsnet.