Best NHL player prop bets (Dec. 20): A good spot for Terry to record a point
Join Daily Faceoff’s Nick Martin as he handicaps the best NHL player props available on Friday night.
Andrew Mangiapane Anytime Goalscorer: +380 Sports Interaction
After scoring one of the prettiest goals of the season on Tuesday night in Chicago, Washington Capitals forward Andrew Mangiapane has been elevated to the top line alongside Dylan Strome and Tom Wilson.
No, I’m not suggesting Mangiapane is a good bet to score because he managed to score one nice goal. From a similar perspective, it’s surely not the main reason why Caps head coach Spencer Carbery decided Mangiapane deserved a shot with the top unit.
The Capitals’ third-line has been somewhat of a weakness this season. Hendrix Lapierre, Jakub Vrana, and even Lars Eller to some extent have all struggled. What’s been highly apparent, though, is that the reason the third unit has been somewhat respectable has been the play of Mangiapane, who has by a wide margin been the Caps’ best third-liner.
Even while spending most of his time alongside some struggling linemates, Mangiapane has scored seven goals and 11 points in 30 games this season playing only 13:29 on average. He’s scored a single goal in 23% of games this season, which suggests even in his former role +380 (20.8% implied probability) is not a bad price.
Mangiapane ranks seventh on the Caps having scored 1.04 goals per 60 this season. Not only is that a positive note given that he will likely play more minutes in tonight’s game, but because he would likely be able to improve upon that rate playing with more talented linemates.
The Carolina Hurricanes are far from an ideal matchup to target an opposing goal-scorer, but they haven’t been nearly as dominant defensively as in years past, and are receiving fairly average play from goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov.
In the month of December, the Hurricanes have allowed 3.10 xGA/60, and five of their seven games in that span have been against below average offensive teams.
Troy Terry to Record a Point: -133 Sports Interaction
The Winnipeg Jets authored a disappointing performance in Anaheim Wednesday evening after playing the night previous in San Jose, and it looks possible to me that we may see a similar storyline play out Friday as the Colorado Avalanche play night two of the same back-to-back scenario.
Like the Jets, the Avalanche also looked pretty shaky defensively at times in their matchup versus San Jose, and easily could’ve allowed more than two goals with less favorable puck luck. And also like the Jets, Colorado’s defensive play has quietly been pretty suspect for a fairly large sample.
In the month of December, the Avalanche have allowed the 10th-highest xGF/60 rating in the league. The eye test would agree that their defensive play has not been good in a number of recent matchups. The good news is that they are finally getting quality goaltending from Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood. Blackwood is certainly the superior of the two options though, and likely will not play in this game.
It looks as though oddsmakers are underrating the chances of Anaheim generating some offense, and potentially even stealing this game.
The Ducks’ top line of Frank Vatrano, Troy Terry, and Ryan Strome has been in excellent form of late. Over the last three games, they have combined for 12 points, a +12 rating, and have been visibly dominant. In 239 minutes together this season, they have generated 3.59 xGF/60, which is the second-highest mark of any line that has played 200 minutes together.
There are numerous props involving the trio which look appealing in this matchup versus the Avalanche, but backing Terry to record a point is my personal favorite.
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