The NHL returns with a 10-game slate on Thursday night, with first puck drop set for 7:00 p.m. ET. The Sabres, Flyers, Kraken and Golden Knights all played on Wednesday night and will be the only teams operating on zero days’ rest.
Below, I’ll go over my favorite NHL player prop bets on DraftKings Sportsbook for Thursday, January 15.
For up-to-date NHL betting information and data, check out both the DraftKings Sportsbook betting splits page and the DraftKings Sportsbook player props page!
Best NHL props for Thursday 1/15/26
Leon Draisaitl Anytime Goalscorer (+120)
Draisaitl has netted at least one goal in four of the past five games. He has particularly found success against Ilya Sorokin and the Islanders in the past, having netted at least one goal in each of the past six meetings, with Sorokin starting in five of those. I’d expect Sorokin to get the start for New York tonight, which should lead to Draisaitl extending his goalscoring streak to four games. The German center has totaled eight goals and five assists in eight career meetings against Sorokin. Plus, the Oilers have averaged nearly four goals a game when playing at home this season.
Bowen Byram 1+ Point (+115)
Across the last 10 games, Byram ranks first on the Sabres in ice time and second in both points and goals above expected. The former 2019 fourth overall pick has been thriving lately while playing on the second defensive pairing alongside Owen Power, with the two of them generating a 69.2% goal percentage across 44 games together this season. The Canadiens rank 22nd in points allowed to opposing defensemen this season and will be starting 21-year-old Jacob Fowler between the pipes. Fowler has been impressive, but noticeably struggles on the road, posting a 2.98 GAA and .889 SV% compared to 1.79 GAA and .932 SV% at home.
Mitch Marner 1+ Assist (-125)
You know how this goes… the Golden Knights are hosting the Maple Leafs tonight, which means it’s time for a Marner revenge game. For what it’s worth, I’d feel differently about this prop if the game were being played in Toronto, but Marner has been very consistent at T-Mobile Arena this season. The Canadian has posted an apple in all but seven home games and plays alongside too many talented goal scorers not to notch another one tonight. The Maple Leafs’ goaltending has been lackluster, with the club allowing the third-most 5v5 goals against per 60. Toronto also struggles on the road, allowing 3.60 goals per game, good for the fifth-most in the league.
