Pucks are back after a holiday break and the NHL is dropping an eight-game slate Friday night and I’m dropping my three favorite prop bets.
I love the Buffalo Sabres-Chicago Blackhawks game for some scoring, thinking the same in the nightcap, and betting against the Toronto Maple Leafs, who are likely without Auston Matthews.
These are my three best NHL player props for Friday, December 27.
NHL prop picks and best bets for December 27
Quinn + Peterka o0.5 points each (+220 at DraftKings)
Olofsson + Eichel + Stone o0.5 points each (+200 at bet365)
Larkin + Raymond o0.5 points each (+160 at bet365)
Picks made on 12-27 at 11:30 a.m. ET.
Today’s NHL prop picks and best bets
Prop bet #1: Jack Quinn + JJ Peterka Over 0.5 points each
The Buffalo Sabres went into the break feeling good after snapping that ugly double-digit losing streak with a 7-1 win over the Islanders. Jack Quinn was promoted to the top power-play unit and second line and delivered a goal and an assist in the victory, including a PP point.
The Sabres get a good matchup vs. the Chicago Blackhawks and although this is usually a spot where I’d hit a +400 PP point, Chicago surprisingly has the best penalty kill in hockey. So instead, I’m stacking Quinn and JJ Peterka for a point each at +220 and looking for them to contribute at 5-on-5.
It’s a great price for a top-six pair with PP1 in a Top-10 scoring matchup. And who knows, maybe the Sabres have turned a corner.
Prop bet #2: Victor Olofsson + Jack Eichel + Mark Stone Over 0.5 points
The Vegas Golden Knights went into the break going 10-2-1 over the past 30 days with the second-best point percentage behind only the Oilers. They’ve won four in a row and will play a San Jose Sharks team that has dropped five in a row and eight of its last nine. It’s tough to find value on the top line in Vegas but Victor Olofsson's promotion helps.
The winger is playing with Jack Eichel and Mark Stone at 5-on-5 and on the first power play. He should stay there tonight as the Knights won with that lineup before the break. The Sharks are one of the worst defensive teams at 5-on-5, ranking 31st in expected goals allowed/60 white their PK is below 75% over the last 30 days.
Vegas’s Over 3.5 team total is also a very reasonable -140 as it should be able to score four goals in the nightcap. It’s a full-line stack and if you can’t put points together, Olofsson’s Over 0.5 points at -110 is also a play.
Prop bet #3: Dylan Larkin + Lucas Raymond Over 0.5 points each
The Detroit Red Wings will be getting a coaching bump after firing Derek Lalonde and replacing him with veteran bench boss Todd McLellan. I really like Detroit on the moneyline today at +130 as it's facing a very inconsistent Toronto Maple Leafs team that might be starting backup goalie Matt Murray and could be missing key bodies in Auston Matthews and Chris Tanev. Tanev skated this morning but Matthews did not.
Detroit won 4-2 two weeks ago vs. a better Toronto lineup and can find the scoresheet coming out of the break. There are two stacks here: Dylan Larkin/Lucas Raymond and Patrick Kane/Alex DeBrincat. The latter is +250, but I'm going with the top line at +160 on home ice with the last change.
The Larkin/Raymond stack has not been near this price in some time, going as short as -110. Facing Murray and Toronto likely without its best defensive forward in Matthews is a great matchup for this stack.
NHL odds today
Here are the full NHL odds for all of today’s matchups.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
