Today’s NHL Prop Picks and Best Bets: Thompson, Skinner Form Lethal One-Two Punch vs Flames

Prop bet #1: Nick's lack

The Seattle Kraken host the Montreal Canadiens to kick off the late window of Sunday’s NHL slate.

Oddsmakers expect this to be a low-scoring affair with the total set at 5.5, which bodes well for fading Montreal forward Nick Suzuki. Suzuki has failed to record a point in four of his past seven games, a trend I like to continue at +175.

First, Seattle does a good job at keeping the puck out of its own net, ranking eighth in the league in goals allowed per game. This ranking is such because it prevents high danger scoring chances at an elite level, ranking second in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) at 5-on-5.

The Kraken are also good at eliminating opposing teams to take advantage of the power play, as they rank sixth in penalty minutes taken per game.

Suzuki could struggle to capitalize against this disciplined group, given that nearly 50% of his point production this season has come on the man-advantage.

Nick Suzuki prop: Under 0.5 points (+175 at Bet99)

Prop bet #2: Skin' in the game

The Calgary Flames host the Buffalo Sabres in the other late-window game on Sunday evening. Oddsmakers expect a very different game than the one above in terms of goal scoring as the total is set at 6.5.

One of the reasons for this high total is that Calgary has been a relatively easy team to score on. Entering this matchup, it ranks 19th in shots on goal allowed per game and 20th in goals allowed per game. The Flames also rank in the bottom half of the league in xGA/60 at 5-on-5.

Not only does this team bleed high danger scoring chances at even-strength, but they also rank 17th in penalty minutes taken per game.

That is where Buffalo forward Jeff Skinner could capitalize, considering he co-leads the team in power play goals this season. Skinner posted a hat trick earlier this week, and perhaps he can carry that momentum into this matchup.

Jeff Skinner prop: Anytime goal (+290 at Bet99 — 0.5 units)

Prop bet #3: Hello, Mr. Thompson

My thinking here is simple: I am fairly confident that at least one of Tage Thompson or Skinner will score against the Flames, which guarantees a profit. If both score, all the better.

I mentioned in the previous section that Skinner co-leads the team in power play goals. His co-leader? Thompson.

Thompson also scored in that aforementioned game where Skinner posted a hat trick. At least one of these two guys has scored in four of Buffalo’s past seven games, with both scoring in one of those four tilts.

This success could continue against goaltender Dustin Wolf, who is expected to guard the cage for Calgary. It’s been a tough year for Wolf whenever his number has been called, going 3-4-1 with a .897 SV% and 3.25 GAA. He’s now allowed four or more goals in three of his past five starts.

Tage Thompson prop: Anytime goal (+175 at Bet99 — 0.5 units)