Best NHL Prop Bets Today: Detroit in Desperate Need of a Win

After losing their last six games in a row, the Detroit Red Wings have a great opportunity to break out of their slump as they face off against the Buffalo Sabres who severely underwhelm on defense. Later in the night, we turn our attention towards the Utah Hockey Club as their offense gets the benefit of skating circles around the Ducks back line who are on the second half of a back-to-back.

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Buffalo Sabres vs. Detroit Red Wings - Prop Bets (7:30 PM, EST)

Detroit Red Wings Team Total Over 3 (-145) at BetMGM Sportsbook

Just when the Detroit Red Wings were starting to pull away from the rest of the Eastern Conference playoff contenders, the Winged Wheels lost their last six games in a row and fell down the wildcard standings. With less than 20 games remaining in the season, the Red Wings room for error is razor thin as they are four points back from Columbus for the last wildcard spot in the playoffs. The Blue Jackets recently swept Detroit to kick off their cold stretch of play, including a 5-3 win in the NHL Stadium Series.

While their defense has struggled, their offense has played at a very competitive level as the Red Wings have generated more Expected Goals than their opponents during their six game losing skid. A common theme for Detroit this season as their offense ranks 16th in Expected Goals For in All Situations while their defense ranks near dead last in Expected Goals Against. With minimal support from their back line, the Red Wings are forced to combat against a high amount of variance which hurts their chances of winning.

Fortunately for Detroit, their offense will have the opportunity to keep them competitive in their contest against Buffalo as the Sabres defense ranks 29th in Expected Goals Against in All Situations. Not only do the Sabres back line struggle in coverage, but their goaltending has also underwhelmed as Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen averages more than three Goals Against per game. Expect the Wings to capitalize on their high quality shooting lanes the Sabres lack of coverage provides to help clear the over on their team total.

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Dylan Larkin Anytime Goalscorer (+145) at FanDuel Sportsbook

Dylan Larkin has excelled at creating pressure this season as the Red Wings team captain is currently averaging 0.46 Expected Goals and 3.20 Shots on Goal per game. With the Sabres back line struggling to defend their net, expect Larkin to continue to generate high quality scoring opportunities when he exploits their gaps in coverage. Especially with his linemate Lucas Raymond commanding defensive attention on the outside, freeing up more space for Larkin to help increase the quality of his shot attempts.

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Anaheim Ducks vs. Utah Hockey Club - Prop Bets (10:00 PM, EST)

Utah Hockey Club Team Total Over 3.5 (-105) at BetMGM Sportsbook

Don’t count out the Utah Hockey Club just yet as they are only three points behind the Calgary Flames in the Western Conference wildcard standings for the last wildcard spot in the playoffs. Like the Red Wings, the Hockey Club have struggled to string together their wins due to their lack of defensive production while their front line ranks 12th overall in Expected Goals For in All Situations. Their offense features plenty of playmakers throughout their lines as six players average more than 0.25 Expected Goals per game.

With Anaheim on the second half of a back-to-back, tired legs may affect their defense who already ranks 32nd overall in Expected Goals Against in All Situations and in 5-on-5 Play. Should the Ducks back line continue to struggle with staying in front of the puck, then Utah’s offense will find themselves with more gaps in coverage for them to exploit to help drastically increase the quality of their Shots on Goal. For some more exposure, escalator bet Utah’s team total by sprinkling smaller wagers on their alternate overs.

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Barrett Hayton Anytime Goalscorer (+220) at FanDuel Sportsbook

Even though Barrett Hayton averages less than two Shots on Goal per game, the Utah Hockey Club center still excels at generating high quality scoring opportunities as he leads the team in Expected Goals. With the Ducks back line severely struggling in coverage as their dead last rank in Expected Goals Against in All Situations indicates, Hayton will be able to generate a higher volume of shot attempts which increases his chances of scoring.

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