Best NHL Prop Bets Today: Target a Team Total Under in a Central Divisional Matchup

The stakes are high in the matchup between the Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche as the winner between the two will increase their chances of securing one of the three auto berths in the Central division standings. Before that takes place, we turn our attention towards the Toronto Maple Leafs offense as their front line will be in a favorable position to consistently generate high quality scoring opportunities against an underwhelming New York Rangers defense.

Minnesota Wild vs. Colorado Avalanche - Prop Bets (9:00 PM, EST)

Minnesota Wild Team Total Under 2.5

It has been an underwhelming year for the Avalanche as the Avs entered the season listed as one of the betting favorites to win the Stanley Cup. While they have looked the part every now and then, the Avs have struggled to string together their wins. Their sporadic play has slowed down their pace of points as Colorado is currently out of the top three in the division. Against Minnesota, the Avs can increase their chances of grabbing one of the three auto berths as they are only two points back from the Wild for third.

Their defense will have a great opportunity to neutralize the Wild front line as their offense has struggled with creating high quality Shots on Goal since the injury to Kirill Kaprizov. Without Kaprizov, the Wild suffer from a lack of playmaking as only three players average more than 0.25 Expected Goals per game. Their struggles are poised to persist as Colorado’s back line excels in coverage as their defense ranks top-3 in Expected Goals Against in All Situations with an average of 2.83 Expected Goals Against per game.

To make matters worse for the Wild, the Avs newly acquired goalie Mackenzie Blackwood has managed to elevate his level of play since settling into his new home as the former San Jose Shark is averaging 2.50 Goals Against per game and a .917 Save Percentage. While his drastic improvement can be attributed to playing behind a far better back line, his uptick in individual production is worth noting nonetheless. Should his backup Scott Wedgewood get the starting nod instead, then reduce the size of your wager.

Jared Spurgeon Under 1.5 Shots on Goal

With the Avs back line excelling in coverage as their top-3 mark in Expected Goals Against in All Situations indicates, Minnesota’s defenseman Jared Spurgeon will struggle to turn his shot attempts into Shots on Goal from the blue line. Especially with his offense incapable of stretching out their coverage due to their lack of versatility, allowing the Avs to anchor in front of their net. Spurgeon already struggles with generating high quality shot attempts as the defenseman averages 0.09 Expected Goals per game.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. New York Rangers - Prop Bets (7:00 PM, EST)

Toronto Maple Leafs Team Total Over 3

Like the Avs, the Toronto Maple Leafs also find themselves in a must win situation on Friday night as the Florida Panthers have leapt back over them for first in the Atlantic division standings. Fortunately for the Maple Leafs, they are still in full control of their own destiny in regard to winning the division title as they have played in two fewer games than the reigning Stanley Cup champions while only one point behind them.

On Friday night, the Maple Leafs front line will have the opportunity to light up the scoreboard and build up a lead against the New York Rangers as their defense ranks 28th overall in Expected Goals Against in All Situations with an average of 3.36 Expected Goals Against per game. Especially with their star goalie Igor Shesterkin struggling to play at a competitive level as the former Vezina Trophy winner continues to fall down the board in average Goals Against per game.

Auston Matthews First Goalscorer

With Toronto’s offense in a more favorable position to score, value in the first goalscorer market shades towards the Maple Leafs. That makes Auston Matthews an intriguing pick as the star center averages an astonishing 0.60 Expected Goals per game. This prop also serves as a reminder to always line shop before placing a bet as odds can wildly vary between each sportsbook. Auston Matthews to score the first goal for example can be found as high as +950 at FanDuel and as low as +650 at BetRivers.