Today’s NHL Prop Picks and Best Bets: Tuch Lights the Lamp

Prop bet #1: Catching Kadri

The Calgary Flames' leading scorer, Nazem Kadri, has registered a point in three straight games, and a fourth would match a season-best. Kadri was one of the main driving forces Saturday night as the Flames dumped the Montreal Canadiens 5-2, picking up his 23rd goal of the season, along with an assist.

The 33-year-old has been getting it done at home of late, recording points in five straight games at the Scotiabank Saddledome, and in eight of his last 10.

The Washington Capitals are right in the middle of the pack in terms of goals against, 15th at 3.06, so it’s not like they’re offering an airtight defense.

A wager on Nazem Kadri odds to register a single point is an easy one to ease you into Monday’s action.

Nazem Kadri prop: Over 0.5 points (-170 at Bet99)

Prop bet #2: Tuch and roll

When I’m targeting a goal-scoring prop, I like the player to have a decent recent history against the opponent, and even a decent showing in recent games.

Buffalo Sabres winger Alex Tuch checks off both boxes and has +220 odds to light the lamp against a Seattle team that ranks inside the Top 10 in goals against.

Tuch has points in two of the last three games, with a goal against the Red Wings on February 12 in a 7-3 win, while picking up an assist in the rematch Saturday night. In three career matchups against the Kraken, the 27-year-old has three goals and four points.

He tallied a goal and an assist in Buffalo’s 5-2 home win over Seattle on January 9, while picking up a pair of goals in a January 2023 game. Buffalo is also catching Seattle at a good time, with the Kraken having dropped four straight.

During that span, Seattle has been outscored 14-6, a goals against average of 3.5. I’ll happily bet on Alex Tuch's odds of lighting the lamp.

Alex Tuch prop: Over 0.5 goals (+220 at Bet99)

Prop bet #3: The Great 8

Let’s wrap this up with NHL royalty, as Alexander Ovechkin comes into this contest against Calgary off a game-winning goal performance to dust the Vancouver Canucks 2-1.

That goal broke a four-game goalless drought for the Great 8, and he rolls into the Saddledome having gone two straight games without a point against the Flames. That’s the limit number for him, as Ovechkin has never gone three consecutive games without a point against the Flames in his storied career.

The first time it happened, Ovechkin responded with two assists, while pumping seven shots on goal in a November 2014 matchup. In 2018, he picked up a single assist to break the goose egg.

He has three goals and four assists in the eight March games, and while they aren’t the greatest Alex Ovechkin odds we've seen, I still love for him to find the score sheet.

Alexander Ovechkin prop: Over 0.5 points (-180 at Bet99)