Best NHL Prop Bets Today: Expect Kochetkov to Neutralize the Wild Offense

With Minnesota losing a major source of their offensive production after Kirill Kaprizov opted into surgery, their offense is poised to struggle as they face off against a Carolina defense who thrives in coverage. Later in the night, Colorado gets the opportunity to put together a dominant defensive performance as they battle it out against a Calgary front line who ranks below league average in Expected Goals For in All Situations.

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Carolina Hurricanes vs. Minnesota Wild - Prop Bets (7:30 PM, EST)

Minnesota Wild Team Total Under 5.5 (-115) at bet365

After losing their last two games in a row, the Carolina Hurricanes are in desperate need of getting back up off the mat in order to remain in contention for the Metropolitan division title. With less than 30 games remaining, the Hurricanes have their work cut out for them as they are currently nine points back from Washington for first.

Fortunately for Carolina, they have a great opportunity to round back into form as they face off against a Minnesota Wild offense who are sorely missing their main source of offensive production. Without Kaprizov, the Wild field just two players who average more than 0.25 Expected Goals per game. Their lack of versatility hurts their chances of creating high quality scoring opportunities as opposing back lines can shade their coverage towards their playmakers while daring someone else to beat them.

Heading into Thursday, Minnesota’s offense will continue to struggle to find the back of the net as they face off against a Carolina defense who ranks fifth overall in Expected Goals Against in All Situations. Especially with Pyotr Kochetkov playing at a competitive level as their starting goalie is averaging 2.48 Goals Against per game. With his back line consistently lessening the quality of Minnesota’s shot attempts, expect Kochetkov to wall them off at a high rate and neutralize their scoring opportunities.

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Mikko Rantanen Anytime Goalscorer (+160) at FanDuel Sportsbook

On the other side of the ice, the Hurricanes front line have been one of the more formidable units in the league as they rank second overall in Expected Goals For in All Situations. Mikko Rantanen has played a major role in their high marks as the Hurricanes forward leads the team in Expected Goals with an average of 0.47 per game. With his center Sebastian Aho also grading out well in Expected Goals, the Wild defense will be stretched out thin which opens up high quality shooting lanes for Rantanen to exploit.

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Colorado Avalanche vs. Calgary Flames - Prop Bets (9:00 PM, EST)

Calgary Flames Team Total Under 5.5 (-105) at FanDuel Sportsbook

After entering the year listed as one of the betting favorites to win the Stanley Cup, the Colorado Avalanche have struggled to live up to the hype as they are currently battling for a wild card spot while in fourth place in the Central division standings. Their back line is not at fault for their underwhelming performance as their defense ranks sixth overall in Expected Goals Against in All Situations with an average of 2.88 Expected Goals Against per game.

Against Calgary, the Avs defense will have the opportunity to put together another dominant performance as they face off against a Flames front line who ranks well below league average in Expected Goals For in All Situations. Mackenzie Blackwood has been instrumental in their success since being traded as the former San Jose goalie continues to climb up the board in average Goals Against per game and in Save Percentage. Expect Blackwood to build on his momentum while holding the Flames under their team total.

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Nathan MacKinnon Over 3.5 Shots on Goal (-150) at BetMGM Sportsbook

Even though the Avs star studded offense have steadily regressed throughout the year, that has not stopped Nathan MacKinnon in his efforts of creating scoring opportunities as he averages 0.34 Expected Goals and 3.96 Shots on Goal per game. With Calgary’s back line struggling to defend their net as their below league average mark in Expected Goals Against in All Situations indicates, expect MacKinnon to continue to create a high volume of Shots on Goal while blitzing through their lackluster coverage.

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