Best NHL Prop Bets Today | NHL Player Props March 20

Ottawa Senators vs Pittsburgh Penguins

Jason Zucker O 2.5 Shots on Goal -120 (DraftKings)

There are only five NHL games today, so I did not have a plethora of matchups to choose from. The first prop bet brings us to Pennsylvania for a game between the Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins and involves Jason Zucker. Zucker is no longer a young man. The 31-year-old is a veteran force on the Penguins but still a productive player. He is no Sidney Crosby, but he holds his own. The Las Vegas, Nevada, native has not scored (or gotten a point) in his previous three games, but he has been shooting the puck. The winger will continue to shoot the puck at a high clip this game and finish with at least three shots.

Zucker is averaging 2.57 shots per game this season but has been much more confident with the puck lately. Over his previous five games, he has been shooting the puck 4.6 times per game. I do not know if he will maintain that average this game, but that indicates that he will have three or four shots.

Zucker is facing a struggling Senators team. The Senators allow 31.6 shots per game and allowed the Penguins to shoot 44 times in their previous matchup. This is an encouraging sign for Zucker. If you combine his enthusiasm for shooting with the Senators' questionable defense, you can see why he will shoot a lot this game. Bet on the over.

San Jose Sharks vs Edmonton Oilers

Alexander Barabanov O 0.5 Points -115 (DraftKings)

Our second prop bet of the day takes us to Canada for a fun matchup between the San Jose Sharks and Edmonton Oilers. Both of these teams struggle on the defensive end, so we should see a lot of scoring. This bet involved the Sharks’ Alexander Barabanov. Barabanov is not getting much press this season but having a decent year. He will secure a point in this game. Bet on the over.

Barabonov is one of the few players who is more productive on the road than at home. He has 31 points on the road and only 14 in San Jose. For whatever reason, the winger steps up when away from his home crowd. He will be facing a defensively challenged Oilers team today. The Oilers allow 3.3 goals per game, so Barabanov will have plenty of opportunities to get a point or assist. The Sharks are on the road this game, so you can expect the 25-year-old to have an extra pep in his step. He will be aggressive and looking for his opportunities. Bet on the over.

Calgary Flames vs Los Angeles Kings

Nazem Kadri O 2.5 Shots on Goal -135 (DraftKings)

Our third prop bet takes us to the west coast for a game between the Calgary Flames and Los Angeles Kings. Both of these teams are fighting to either make the Playoffs or improve their seeding, so it is safe to say it will be an intense matchup. This bet involves Calgary’s Nazem Kadri. Kadri has slowed down a little bit this season. The 32-year-old is entering the back half of his career and his production has take a little dip. However, he still shoots quite a lot. Kadri will shoot three or more times. Bet on the over.

Kadri is one of the primary shooters on the Flames. He averages 3.29 shots per game this season. This has only resulted in 21 goals, but it indicates a confident shooter. Kadri is averaging 3.13 shots per game on the road. He shoots a little less away from Calgary, but not enough to concern you. He is consistent and does not let much get in his way of shooting. I do not need to say anything else. Bet on the over.

Ottawa Senators vs Pittsburgh Penguins

Brady Tkachuk U 0.5 Goals -168 (FanDuel)

We return to Pittsburgh for our fourth prop bet, but this one involves the Ottawa Senators much more than the Penguins. I chose Brady Tkachuk for this prop. Tkachuk is an excellent player and one of the best on the Senators. He can pass and shoot and is dangerous when the puck is in his hands. However, he is facing a tough Penguins team today. Therefore, I cannot expect him to score a goal. Bet on the under.

Tkachuk comes into this game with 71 points (30 goals, 41 assists). However, about ⅔ of his points have come from Senators’ wins. He has 48 points (21 goals and 27 assists) in Senators’ wins but only 23 points (nine goals and 14 assists) in 36 losses this season. I say this because the Senators will likely lose. They are on a five-game losing streak and will be battling it out with a Penguins squad with a Playoff spot. In addition, the Senators are worse on the road. 

Tkachuk may finish with a point today, but it is too much to ask for a goal from him. Bet on the under.

Chicago Blackhawks vs Colorado Avalanche

Evan Rodriguez U 0.5 Points +110 (FanDuel)

Our final prop bet of the day takes us to Denver, Colorado. It is the riskiest bet, but one I believe in taking. This bet involves the Avalanche’s Evan Rodrigues. Rodrigues plays a lot (and is having one of the best seasons of his career) but is having a quiet season. The winger is reliable but not dominant. He will fail to score a point today. Bet on the under.

Rodriguez will be seeing a rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks team in this game. The Blackhawks have struggled this season but have won two of their last three games. More importantly, they have limited their opponents to an average of 2.8 goals per game over their last five games. If their defense continues to operate at this level in this matchup, there will not be a lot of opportunities for Rodriguez to get a point or assist. Bet on the under.