Today’s top NHL prop pick is a parlay featuring Connor Bedard and Cale Makar.
The pregame narrative: The Colorado Avalanche have won five straight and welcome the struggling Chicago Blackhawks into town. I don’t trust either team’s goaltending situation, which makes Bedard and Makar prime targets. Elsewhere, I’ll take a plus-money swing at Clayton Keller having a night.
Find my NHL prop picks for Oct. 28 below.
NHL prop picks
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Best Bet: Bedard and Makar 1+ points each (-120)
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 Alexander 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 the net. 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.
Not much has to be said about Makar, who is -455 to find the stat sheet tonight.
The 25-year-old is the best defenceman on the planet and has 16 points, cashing this bet in every single game. Last year he led all rearguards with 1.17 points per game.
Chicago is starting Petr Mrazek and he’s been poor, posting a 3.20 GAA and .893 SV% in seven starts.
Key stat: Colorado (4.00) and Chicago (3.44) are allowing the fourth and 11th-most goals per game, respectively.
Quick picks
Keller to score 2+ points (+200): 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). Things are even worse for San Jose now as it is 0-7-2 through nine games while 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 twice. 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 3:15 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.