Best NHL Prop Bets Today: Back the Devils to Cover the Puck Line

Even though the New Jersey Devils are just one point back from the Carolina Hurricanes, they are in desperate need of a sparking a hot stretch of play as they also possess just the third highest point percentage in the Metropolitan division standings. Luckily for New Jersey, they face off against the Detroit Red Wings who struggle to generate production on either side of the ice.

Before that takes place, we turn our attention towards the Central divisional matchup between the Chicago Blackhawks and Minnesota Wild as scoring opportunities should come far and few inbetween for Chicago’s offense. Especially with Minnesota’s Filip Gustavsson continuing to play at a high level, anchoring a defense who ranks third overall in Expected Goals Against in All Situations.
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New Jersey Devils vs. Detroit Red Wings - Prop Bets (3:00 PM, EST)

New Jersey Devils Puck Line -1.5 (+135) at Caesars Sportsbook

With the Detroit Red Wings failing to play at a competitive level, they will be prone to falling quickly behind on the scoreboard while the Devils set a scoring pace too fast for them to keep up with. Especially with their offense struggling to generate high quality Shots on Goal at a consistent rate as the Red Wings front line enters the contest ranked 29th overall in Expected Goals For in All Situations with an average of 2.68 Expected Goals per game.

Not only do the Red Wings struggle to generate offensive production, but they also face off against a Devils back line who excels at smothering opposing shot attempts as their high rank in Expected Goals Against indicates. That puts their pair of goalies Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen in a great position to maintain their current low averages in Goals Against per game no matter who gets the start in net. Back the Devils to cover the puck line while escalator betting their alternate lines with smaller wagers.

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Dougie Hamilton Over 2.5 Shots on Goal (-165) at BetMGM Sportsbook

Even though the New Jersey Devils Dougie Hamilton has not fared well in his efforts of generating Expected Goals, that has not stopped him from continuing to pressure opposing goalies as he is also averaging 3.32 Shots on Goal per game. With the Red Wings back line struggling to provide their net proper coverage, expect the Devils defenseman to weave the puck through their defense at a higher rate from the blue line.

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Chicago Blackhawks vs. Minnesota Wild - Prop Bets (2:00 PM, EST)

Chicago Blackhawks Team Total Under 2.5 (-154) at Caesars Sportsbook

With the Winnipeg Jets continuing to win at a very high rate, the Minnesota Wild are forced to match their pace of points should they want to stay in contention for the Central division title. Fortunately for Minnesota, their top ranked defense gets the opportunity to stone wall a Chicago Blackhawks offense who ranks dead last in Expected Goals For in All Situations and in 5-on-5 Play. The Blackhawks front line suffers from a lack of versatility as only Tyler Bertuzzi averages more than 0.30 Expected Goals per game.

That spells potential disaster in Friday’s matchup against the Wild as Minnesota’s defense continues to rank near the top of the board in Expected Goals Against in All Situations. Surging Vezina Trophy contender Filip Gustavsson plays a major role in their high rank on defense as the star goalie is averaging just 2.06 Goals Against per game while generating a .929 Save Percentage. WIth minimal opportunities to create high quality Shots on Goal, expect the Blackhawks to go under on their team total.

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Matt Boldy Anytime Goalscorer (+160) at FanDuel Sportsbook

Speaking of a lack of versatility, the Minnesota Wild offense also suffers from a lack of productive scorers as only Matt Boldy and Hart Memorial Trophy contender Kirill Kaprizov average more than 0.30 Expected Goals per game. While Kaprizov is playing less than 100% while dealing with an injury, expect Boldy to shoulder a heavier workload to help keep their offense afloat. With a potential increase in shot attempts, Boldy will find himself in a more favorable position to net his 12th goal of the season.

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