NHL player prop bets (Jan. 20): Back Kempe to score at home vs. Penguins

Join Daily Faceoff’s Nick Martin as he handicaps the best NHL player props available on Monday night.

Zach Werenski Over 2.5 Shots on Goal: -167 Sports Interaction

Thanks largely to Werenski’s otherworldly play this season, the Columbus Blue Jackets are still playing highly meaningful games. They enter tonight’s matchup versus the New York Islanders just one point ahead of the Montreal Canadiens for the final Wild Card spot, and will likely lean heavily on Werenski, who is the NHL’s time-on-ice leader, once again.

The Blue Jackets hold a record of 9-2-1 over the last 12 games, and Werenski has been downright incredible in that span. He’s put up 19 points in 12 games, averaging a whopping 5.16 shots on goal per contest. He’s also averaged 8.25 attempts per game and 27:30 of ice time.

The Islanders have allowed 27.48 shots per game over the last 10 games. They have played slightly better overall in the time since Mathew Barzal and Adam Pelech have returned to the lineup, but still provide a very reasonable matchup for Werenski to generate attempts on net.

If you aren’t interested in laying such heavy juice, backing Werenski to record four shots is another strong option, but I do believe the price for him to record over 2.5 shots should be priced closer to -200 and that there is value despite the low payout.

Adrian Kempe Anytime Goalscorer: +150 Sports Interaction

Kempe has been one of the hottest goal-scorers in the league of late, as he enters tonight’s matchup versus the Pittsburgh Penguins with goals in six of his last eight games.

He has been generating a ton of chances recently both at even strength and on the Kings’ top power play unit, and it’s no surprise that he has been able to finish at such a high rate given that he has proven himself as one of the league’s best finishers over the last several seasons.

Over the last ten games, Kempe has averaged 6.5 attempts per game and 2.80 shots on goal per game.

Former fifth-overall pick Alex Turcotte has been tremendous in his own right recently, which has aided the production of Kempe and Kopitar at even strength. In 210.2 minutes together, they have scored 4.00 goals for per 60, and outscored opponents 14-6.

The Penguins have allowed 3.65 goals against per game this season, which is the highest mark in the NHL, and Kempe did tally a goal when these teams last clashed in January.

This will be an emotional matchup as the Kings return home for the first time since the California Wildfires, and I’m expecting their top skaters to perform at a high level.

You can follow all of Nick’s hockey bets on the Action Network App!