NHL Picks

Charlie McAvoy is on a torrid offensive run. He has piled up 24 points over his last 20 games, with 18 coming by way of assist. He is playing a lot of minutes and serving as a driving force from the back end.

With the Bruins desperate for every point – especially after laying an egg against the Maple Leafs – they will leave no stone unturned trying to get them. That means a ton of ice for McAvoy, back-to-back be damned.

He has excelled in those situations this season, assisting in six of the last seven while playing at least 24 minutes five times.

Tage Thompson is a Boston Bruins killer. He has recorded 4+ shots on goal in six consecutive games while averaging 6.16 per contest. 

That includes two head-to-head meetings this season, which should come as no surprise given the Bruins rank 31st in shots allowed.

Thompson has also cleared 3.5 shots in eight of 11 home games against Bottom-10 shot suppression teams. The three Unders came in multi-goal victories vs. teams 27th or lower in the standings, leaving no reason for Thompson to push.

With 1st place in the Eastern Conference within reach, the Sabres will lean heavily on Thompson in this matchup.

Alexis Lafreniere is heating up. He has produced 10 points over his last nine games while generating nearly a full attempt more than his season average. The Rangers have put more on his plate without Artemi Panarin and he has responded well.

He is poised to find success tonight against the Maple Leafs, who rank dead last in shots allowed and 29th in goals allowed this season.

Lafreniere has hit the scoresheet in five consecutive games vs. Bottom-12 teams in goals allowed, producing 10 points in total. That includes a three-point effort against the Leafs just a few weeks ago.

Adam Fox is one of the best offensive defensemen in the sport. Even in a down year for the New York Rangers, he’s still found a way to produce a point in 55% of his games and 62% following a day of rest.

He has really ramped it up of late, finding the scoresheet in seven of his last nine contests – including against playoff-bound teams like Minnesota and Columbus.

Fox picked up a point in his last meeting with the Leafs and generated 5+ attempts in both meetings, indicating strong involvement in the offense.