NHL player prop bets (Jan. 22): Back Hughes to pile up shots against thin Bruins blue line
Join Daily Faceoff’s Nick Martin as he handicaps the best NHL player props available on Wednesday night.
Jack Hughes Over 3.5 Shots on Goal: -143 Sports Interaction
The New Jersey Devils generated just 39 shots combined in their weekend back-to-back versus the Philadelphia Flyers and Ottawa Senators, and saw their losing streak extended to four games. Coach Sheldon Keefe called out his top stars after Sunday’s loss, and I’m counting on Hughes, in particular, to be much more engaged in these matchups.
Hughes had zero points and just two shots over the last two games, which suggests Keefe had a fair point to note the need for more involvement from his top stars, though the more consistent problem over a larger sample for the Devils has been a lack of secondary scoring.
Over the last 15 games, Hughes has averaged 4.37 shots on goal per game, and gone over 3.5 shots 10 times. He has also averaged 8.86 shot attempts per game in that span.
The Bruins have not been the same defensive juggernaut we have become accustomed to this season, and their recent defensive play, in particular, has been middling at best. Over the last month of play, the Bruins have allowed 3.84 xGA/60 and 31.49 shots against per 60.
Having top defenders Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm sidelined due to injury has reduced Boston’s defensive upside, as has the fact that it is no longer rostering a true No. 1 center, which should help Hughes generate scoring opportunities in this matchup.
Adrian Kempe Over 2.5 Shots on Goal: -139 Sports Interaction
While the Los Angeles Kings’ performance in their 5-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins was highly disappointing, Kempe was able to continue his highly productive stretch of play with a goal, to earn us a split on our last prop article.
Kempe led the team with 0.62 individual expected goals, and poured eight attempts towards Alex Nedeljkovic. He continues to fare well playing alongside Anze Kopitar and Alex Turcotte at even strength, a line which holds a 55.8% expected goal share, and +8 goal differential.
Kempe is the most talented finisher on the Kings roster, and Kopitar and Turcotte have done a good helping him get shooting opportunities.
Backing Kempe to score at +190 is tempting, but in a matchup versus the Florida Panthers, backing Kempe to record three shots at -139 looks preferential to me. The Panthers have been more complacent defensively of late, and aren’t currently playing like the defensive juggernaut we saw win the Cup last season.
In the month of January, the Panthers have allowed 27.94 shots against per 60, and will be playing back-to-back after a convincing win last night in Anaheim.
You can follow all of Nick’s hockey bets on the Action Network app!