Eight NHL games are dotting Tuesday’s docket, and our NHL player props will have you covered throughout.
A quartet of contests kickstart the action in the early wave, and the bout between the Dallas Stars and New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden features a pair of division leaders and contenders in the Stanley Cup odds.
The Western Conference takes center stage, with two more big-time matchups featuring the Minnesota Wild and Winnipeg Jets, and the Vancouver Canucks and Colorado Avalanche. Winnipeg and Colorado are both short home favorites in the NHL odds in the tape-measuring matchups.
However, our attention is on some matchups on the periphery. Here are our favorite free NHL picks for Tuesday, February 20.
NHL prop picks and best bets for February 20
- Bobrovsky Over 27.5 saves (-110 at Bet99)
- Rackell Over 2.5 shots (-125 at Bet99)
- Forsberg Over 3.5 shots (-135 at Bet99)
Picks made on February 20 at 11:15 a.m. ET.
Read full analysis of each pick.
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Today’s NHL prop picks and best bets
Prop bet #1: Back Goalie Bob
For everything that’s gone wrong with the Ottawa Senators this season, they’re putting pucks on net with the best in the league. The Sens have 25 or more shots in 25 consecutive games and at least 30 in all but six of those contests. Ottawa ranks fourth in shots (32.92) and sixth in attempts (65.36) per 60 during the stretch.
Additionally, with the Senators a huge road underdog, it’s important to note they’ve improved to respective 35.92 and 72.18 marks when trailing during the 25-game run. With Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky rounding into top form with a .946 save percentage and 1.66 GAA during an active six-game winning streak, there should be more than enough shot volume from the Sens for him to clear this 27.5-save total.
I also value these Sergei Bobrovsky odds because this is a typical back-to-back road spot for Ottawa. While the majority of NHL games were played during the afternoon Monday, the Sens topped the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-2 in the evening. Similarly, Florida has been off since topping the Lightning 9-2 on Saturday, and Bobrovsky turned away 28 of 30 shots, including all six of the high-danger variety.
Sergei Bobrovsky prop: Over 27.5 saves (-110 at Bet99)
Prop bet #2: Rakell racks up the shots
Lining up alongside Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby has been a boon to winger Rickard Rakell’s shot volume dating back to last season. Rakell recorded a rock-solid 9.64 shots per 60 minutes last year, and this season’s 8.32 mark is notably lower. Skating less frequently with Crosby has been a contributor to the decline. The duo has recorded a high-end 56.0 Corsi For percentage and generated 52.3% of shots at 5-on-5 over the past two years. And, again, Rakell’s 51.9% and 49.4% shares at 5-on-5 are much lower when he’s not playing with No. 87.
I’m also noticing added value in these Rickard Rakell odds because he’s been the go-to shooter (five shots) with the man advantage since returning to the No. 1 power-play unit two games ago. Simply put, Rakell being back in a top-offensive role isn’t fully priced in here.
Additionally, while the New York Islanders have shown notable improvements in suppressing shots and attempts through nine games since Patrick Roy took over as head coach, they’re still checking out in the middle of the pack with the 11th-most shots allowed per game (31.1). Pittsburgh also averages the sixth-most shots per (33.8) at PPG Paints Arena and will have the advantage of the last change tonight.
Rickard Rakell prop: Over 2.5 shots (-125 at Bet99)
Prop bet #3: Fire up Forsberg
The Vegas Golden Knights have missed No. 1 center Jack Eichel (knee). While they’ve treaded water with an 8-4-1 record since his absence, the Golden Knights are allowing the second-most shot attempts per 60 minutes (68.54), and the most shots per game to opposing wingers (21.1) across their latest 10 contests. A major reason Vegas has remained successful is because it has surrendered the third-fewest high-danger shots per 60 (6.52).
As a result, I don't anticipate significant adjustments from the Golden Knights moving forward. Vegas is taking care of the most important defensive space on the ice, and being a little more vulnerable on the perimeter is a small sacrifice.
With Vegas set for a back-to-back spot with travel, and the Nashville Predators rested since topping the St. Louis Blues 1-0 on Saturday, I’m eyeing these Filip Forsberg odds. He’s failed to top this 3.5-shot total in each of the past three games, but his 18 attempts have translated into just eight shots (44.4%), which is below his 48% conversation rate through the first 52 games of the year. Plus, Forsberg ranks fifth in shots (12.55) and second in attempts (26.25) per 60 among NHL regulars, so there’s no concern about a dip in shot volume — especially in what's become a soft matchup for wingers.
Filip Forsberg prop: Over 3.5 shots (-135 at Bet99)
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