Best NHL Prop Bets Today: Fade Ottawa’s Offense Without Brady Tkachuk

After winning their last 10 games in a row, the Winnipeg Jets are in a favorable position to build on their hot streak as their back line should face minimal resistance in their efforts of slowing down the anemic Ottawa Senators offense. Later in the night, we target a team total under as the matchup between the Vancouver Canucks and Los Angeles Kings should feature a low amount of scoring opportunities.

Winnipeg Jets vs. Ottawa Senators - Prop Bets (7:00 PM, EST)

Ottawa Senators Team Total Under 2.5 at BetMGM Sportsbook

With Washington suffering a loss in their last game out, the Winnipeg Jets are now in full control of their own destiny in regard to winning the Presidents’ Trophy as they currently possess a one point lead over the Capitals. Should the Jets want to build on their momentum and create some separation from the Capitals at the top of the overall standings, then they must continue to lean on their defense who ranks fourth overall in Expected Goals Against in All Situations.

Not only do the Jets back line excel in coverage, but their starting goalie Connor Hellebuyck gives them a high level of individual production on a nightly basis as the reigning Vezina Trophy winner averages 2.04 Goals Against per game and a .925 Save Percentage. Even when the Jets back line went through a prolonged slump and crashed down the board in Expected Goals Against in All Situations earlier in the year, Hellebuyck was able to sustain his high level of play to help keep them competitive in their contests.

On Wednesday night, expect the Jets back line to string together a dominant performance as the Ottawa Senators offense have struggled with creating high quality Shots on Goal as their below league average mark in Expected Goals For in All Situations indicates. Especially if Brady Tkachuk is still out with an injury as the star forward comfortably leads the team in Expected Goals with an average of 0.49 per game. Should Tkachuk get officially ruled out ahead of time, then increase the size of your wager.

Kyle Connor Over 2.5 Shots on Goal at BetMGM Sportsbook

On the other side of the ice, the Senators back line have also struggled to play at a competitive level as their defense ranks 19th overall in Expected Goals Against in All Situations. Their lack of coverage creates higher quality shooting lanes for Kyle Connor to exploit, increasing his chances of turning his shot attempts into Shots on Goal. Connor has excelled at pressuring the net this season as the Jets forward currently averages 0.35 Expected Goals and 3.29 Shots on Goal per game.

Vancouver Canucks vs. Los Angeles Kings - Prop Bets (10:00 PM, EST)

Vancouver Canucks Team Total Under 2.5 at BetMGM Sportsbook

After winning the Pacific division title last year, the Vancouver Canucks have failed to carry over their momentum into this season as they are currently 11 points back from first. Their lack of offensive production has played a major role in their struggles as the Canucks offense currently ranks 31st overall in Expected Goals For in All Situations. Their inability to create high quality scoring opportunities stems from their lack of versatility as only four players average more than 0.25 Expected Goals per game.

Unfortunately for Vancouver, their offense will continue to struggle against the Los Angeles Kings as their back line ranks first overall in Expected Goals Against in All Situations. Their suffocating coverage has helped Darcy Kuemper play at a very high level this season as the Kings starting goalie ranks top-5 in average Goals Against per game while generating a Save Percentage of .918. Expect Kuemper to consistently wall off the Canucks low quality Shots on Goal and hold them under their team total.

Filip Chytil Under 2.5 Shots on Goal at BetMGM Sportsbook

After clearing the over on this prop in five of his last six games, negative regression looms large as Filip Chytil faces his toughest test yet as the Kings defense excels at smothering opposing shot attempts. Especially with his linemates giving him minimal support as they severely underwhelm in their efforts of pressuring the net, allowing the Kings to anchor in coverage. This lessens the quality of Chytil’s shooting lanes, reducing his chances of weaving the puck through their back line to generate a Shot on Goal.