Four Canadian teams are hitting the ice in Round 1 of the NHL playoffs and we’ve evaluated the futures markets to share our top NHL player props for each of their series.
Expectations are sky high for the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks, who are the betting favorites to move on to Round 2. The Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets, meanwhile, are both underdogs to advance.
Here are our free NHL picks for the opening round of the 2024 NHL playoffs.
Predators vs. Canucks
J.T. Miller most points (+400 at BET99)
Vancouver Canucks center J.T. Miller had nine more regular-season points than any other player in this series, and his 3.91 points per 60 also topped all skaters. It was the same story at five-on-five play, and Vancouver has the edge in both special teams.
The 31-year-old American is also no stranger to the postseason, and he put up 18 points across 17 games during his last playoff run in 2019-20 to tie the team lead. Finally, while lineups can also change, I value Miller’s chemistry with winger Brock Boeser. The duo played 885:37 at 5-on-5 and were on the ice for a respectable 3.66 goals per 60 minutes.
Avalanche vs. Jets
Nathan MacKinnon most points (+110 at BET99)
It’s boring to fire up the favorite, but it’s the right call here at plus-money odds. The Winnipeg Jets have a balanced offensive attack and score by committee and Colorado Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon’s 140 regular-season points nearly doubled Winnipeg leading-scorer Mark Schiefele’s 72.
MacKinnon also has 100 postseason points across 77 games and has scored at a point-per-game pace or better in each of his seven trips to the playoffs. I also value that he should lead all forwards in minutes per game after averaging a healthy 22:49 during the regular season.
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Maple Leafs vs. Bruins
Mitch Marner's most points (+600 at BET99)
Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner has collected 22 points through 18 postseason games in the past two years, and he plays in all situations. Those playoff numbers are better than the co-betting favorites in this market, too. Boston Bruins winger David Pastrnak recorded 11 points across 14 games, and Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews put up 20 points across 18 games.
Additionally, I think we’re landing a fair number because Marner doesn’t project to start the series alongside Matthews at five-on-five. So, while it’s a notable hit to the winger’s overall offensive upside, there’s also potential for Marner to see softer on-ice matchups at even strength.
After all, it’s no secret that limiting Matthews will be priority No. 1 for Boston. Plus, I anticipate Toronto head coach Sheldon Keefe to mix and match his lines in-game and throughout this series, so there’s potential the Matthews and Marner are reunited during Round 1.
Kings vs Oilers
Check back soon for our picks!
