Today’s NHL Prop Picks and Best Bets: Don't Doubt Drouin in Denver

Prop bet #1: Go Johnny Go

Colorado Avalanche winger Jonathan Drouin is a game removed from marking the scoresheet in four straight for two goals and six assists. He remains in a go-to offensive role skating with Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen on the top line and No. 1 power-play unit, and the trio have been on the ice together for an otherworldly 6.34 goals per 60 minutes, including a 7.11 mark on home ice.

The New York Rangers will be without top-four defensemen Jacob Trouba (lower body) and Ryan Lindgren (lower body) again Thursday, and No. 1 goalie Igor Shesterkin hasn’t been sharp of late. Shesterkin has surrendered three or more goals in four of his past five starts and posted a target-worthy .881 SV% during the slump.

27 of Drouin's 46 points this season have come at Ball Arena, and the Avs pace the league in goals per game (4.26) at home. MacKinnon has also been automatic at Ball Arena with a point in all 35 home games, so Drouin is positioned to hit the scoresheet Thursday.

Jonathan Drouin prop: Over 0.5 points (-125 at Bet99)

Prop bet #2: Fade Filip

The Dallas Stars have surrendered the fewest expected goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five, and No. 1 goalie Jake Oettinger is rounding into top form at just the right time. He has allowed exactly two goals in each of his past three starts, posting a .920 SV% during that stretch. Dallas also ranks fifth with a 52.9 Corsi For percentage at 5-on-5, so this sets up as a tough matchup for the Vancouver Canucks.

While Vancouver defenseman Filip Hronek is rolling along a career-best offensive season with 45 points through 72 games, he’s only marked the scoresheet in 10 of his past 39 contests. Hornek recorded 2.19 points per 60 through 33 games to start the year, but he’s down to a 1.06 mark during the noted offensive decline.

Another reason I'm targeting Hronek's odds is because Vancouver has a league-high 11.0 team shooting percentage at 5-on-5, and the Canucks have a 12.8 mark with Hronek on the ice. Both marks are unsustainably high and eyeing statistical correction. 

Filip Hronek prop: Under 0.5 points (-135 at Bet99)

Prop bet #3: More like Over Bjorkstrand

This is a plus-matchup for the Seattle Kraken and winger Oliver Bjorkstrand. The Anaheim Ducks allow the fourth-most shots per game (33.6) and rank 26th with a 45.3 CF% on the highway, and Bjorkstrand is second in shots (8.88) and first in attempts (20.15) per 60 minutes for the Kraken. He also ranks second in CF% (53.6%) at 5-on-5.

Additionally, Bjorkstand just registered four shots and nine attempts against the Ducks on Tuesday, and he clicked with linemates Matty Beniers and Eeli Tolvanen for a 55.6 CF% at 5-on-5. Meanwhile, Anaheim has surrendered an average of 17.6 shot attempts per game to wingers.

Oliver Bjorkstrand prop: Over 2.5 shots (-105 at Bet99)