The NHL returns with an eight-game slate on Friday night, with first puck drop scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET. The Golden Knights, Blackhawks and Stars all played last 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 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 Friday 1/23/26
Brandon Hagel Anytime Goalscorer (+145)
Hagel leads the Lightning in goals this season (25), and tonight, he draws an elite matchup against the Blackhawks. Chicago just played last night, and Arvid Soderblom should receive his 15th start of the season, which should bode well for Tampa Bay. Among 90 eligible goaltenders, Soderblom ranks 78th in goals saved above expected and 69th in SV% above expected. As a team, the Blackhawks rank 28th in 5v5 goals against per 60, while the Lightning rank second in 5v5 goals per 60.
Tampa Bay has been on fire lately, winning 13 of its past 14 games. Hagel missed the first few games of that run, but he has totaled seven goals and eight assists across his last 10 games. He has netted at least one goal in six of his past eight outings, and he ranks sixth in the NHL in 5v5 goals per 60 and ninth in 5v5 xGoals per 60.
Jack Eichel 4+ Shots on Goal (-110)
I suggested this same prop bet yesterday, as Eichel’s matchup against Boston was elite, and tonight, the matchup is even better. Eichel has been shooting at will recently, averaging 7.9 shot attempts and 4.1 shots on goal per game across his past 10 outings. On the season, the American ranks 13th in the NHL in shots on goal per 60, which should bode well against a Maple Leafs team that has allowed the most shots per game (31.7), as well as the most shots per game to opposing centers (11.7).
Eichel has cleared 4+ SOG in seven of his past 10 games, including the past three road games. Vegas played last night, so rest admittedly worries me slightly. However, Mitch Marner makes his return to Toronto tonight, and I’d expect the Golden Knights to be locked in for their guy. Opposing centers have a whopping 60% hit rate on their SOG props when facing the Maple Leafs, and Eichel has eclipsed that mark in three of the past five outings against them.
