Three off-the-radar NHL players will aim to become unsung heroes on my prop picks card for Saturday night.
The pregame narrative: Pavel Zacha is off to a slow start but he’s in a great spot to produce for the Boston Bruins. Jake DeBrusk is doing pretty well for himself with the Vancouver Canucks and is a nice plus-money pick to notch a point. Thirdly, Tyler Bertuzzi makes the card in a plus matchup.
Find these NHL prop picks for Oct. 19 below.
NHL prop picks
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Best Bet: Zacha to score 1+ point (-125)
Tonight seems like the right spot to back Zacha to score a point.
The Bruins winger started the year off in fine fashion, registering a point in each of Boston’s first two games.
The versatile forward, however, has failed to notch a point in each of his last three games.
What’s encouraging, though, is that he’s still receiving quality opportunities on a good Bruins squad. Zacha is averaging 19:11 in ice time per game this season and is in offensively-friendly situations.
Zacha skates alongside Elias Lindholm and David Pastrnak on the team’s first line. Additionally, he’s on Boston’s top power play with those two forwards, Brad Marchand and Charlie McAvoy.
The matchup is enticing, too, against the Utah Hockey Club. Utah is allowing the eighth-most goals per game (3.80) this season.
Key stat: Zacha is tied for second on the Bruins in shots (12).
Quick picks
DeBrusk to score 1+ points (+102): A change of scenery hasn’t been bad for DeBrusk.
The ex-Bruins forward has three points in four games – all assists – for Vancouver. Two of his points have come on the power play, and that makes sense considering he’s skating on the team’s top unit.
Exposure to elite players like Elias Pettersson, Quinn Hughes, Brock Boeser and J.T. Miller is a great spot to be in.
It’s especially encouraging considering the matchup. The Canucks battle a Philadelphia Flyers team that’s tied for allowing the second-most goals per game (4.50) this season.
Bertuzzi to score 1+ points (+105): Bertuzzi’s tenure with the Chicago Blackhawks isn’t making any headlines.
The tenacious winger was pointless in his first four games but did find the back of the net in the team’s most recent game.
His status as a top-six forward and a skater on the top power play put him on my radar for Saturday night.
Chicago battles the Buffalo Sabres and the latter is struggling to keep the puck out of their net. Buffalo is tied for 26th in goals against per game (4.00) and is tied for the sixth-worst power play (71.4%).
Picks made at 12:50 p.m. ET 10/19/2024.
Stevie’s an avid NFL, NHL, and tennis bettor who has no problem talking himself into the underdog. His previous stops include Yahoo! Sports Canada and Toronto Metropolitan University, where he received a degree in Sport Media.