Best NHL Prop Bets Today: Fade Detroit on the Second Half of a Back-to-Back

With Detroit entering Friday’s contest on the second half of a back-to-back, as well as grading out poorly in coverage, the Tampa Bay Lightning offense will have a great opportunity to consistently pressure their net to help cover the puck line. At the same time as their puck drop, we also target a team total over as the New Jersey Devils high powered offense faces off against a Pittsburgh defense who ranks in the bottom ten in Expected Goals Against in All Situations.

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Detroit Red Wings vs. Tampa Bay Lightning - Prop Bets (7:00 PM, EST)

Tampa Bay Lightning Puck Line -1.5 (-110) at BetMGM Sportsbook

With four games remaining in the regular season, the Tampa Bay Lightning are still in contention for the Atlantic division title as they are just three points behind the Toronto Maple Leafs for first. Winning the division is vital as it will greatly increase your chances of moving on to the next round in the playoffs as the winner will face off against a wildcard contender instead of the Florida Panthers. A sizable difference in the quality of opponent.

Fortunately for Tampa, they have the opportunity to chip away at the gap between them and Toronto with a favorable matchup against Detroit as they are on the second half of a back-to-back. Detroit’s back line already struggles in coverage as their defense ranks 25th in Expected Goals Against in All Situations. With tired legs also potentially playing a factor, the Red Wings sluggish movement may lead to higher quality shooting lanes for Tampa to exploit which increases their chances of scoring at a consistent rate.

On the other side of the ice, the Lightning defense possesses more than enough talent to slow down the Red Wings offense as their back line ranks in the top half of the board in Expected Goals Against in All Situations. Especially with their goaltending giving them a high level of individual production as the former Vezina Trophy winner Andrei Vasilevskiy averages just 2.28 Goals Against per game and a .922 Save Percentage. If his back up Jonas Johansson gets the start instead, then reduce the size of your wager.

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Nikita Kucherov Anytime Goalscorer (+130) at FanDuel Sportsbook

While a majority of Nikita Kucherov’s points are from assists, the Tampa Bay Lightning forward also excels at pressuring the net as the current league leader in points averages 0.35 Expected Goals and 3.43 Shots on Goal per game. With the Red Wings back line struggling to defend their net, Kucherov will have the opportunity to generate a higher volume of shot attempts which increases his chances of scoring. For some more exposure, also place a wager on Kucherov to clear the over on his Shots on Goal prop.

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Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New Jersey Devils - Prop Bets (7:00 PM, EST)

New Jersey Devils Team Total Over 3.5 (-110) at BetMGM Sportsbook

Even with their star center Jack Hughes out with a season ending injury, his absence has not hurt New Jersey's ability to consistently generate high quality scoring opportunities as their offense ranks third overall in Expected Goals For in All Situations. The Devils still possess plenty of playmakers who are all capable of pressuring the net at a high rate as four players average more than 0.30 Expected Goals per game.

New Jersey’s offense will have the opportunity to sustain their high level of play against Pittsburgh as they face off against a Penguins back line who ranks 26th overall in Expected Goals Against in All Situations. With the Penguins back line struggling in coverage, the Devils versatility will have their defense stretched out thin which will allow them to consistently pressure their net. Expect the Devils to capitalize on their high quality scoring opportunities and clear the over on their team total.

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Nico Hischier Anytime Goalscorer (+145) at FanDuel Sportsbook

Nico Hischier has played a major role in New Jersey’s success on offense this season as the Devils forward averages 0.47 Expected Goals per game. His linemates ability to command defensive attention helps open up higher quality shooting lanes for him to exploit as both Jesper Bratt and Stefan Noesen also average over 0.30 Expected Goals per game. Against the Penguins underwhelming coverage, expect Hischier to continue to generate high quality shot attempts and score his 36th goal of the season.

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