The NHL returns with an eight-game slate on Thursday night. Below, I’ll break down my favorite player props to consider on DraftKings Sportsbook.
For up-to-date NHL betting information and data, check out the DraftKings Sportsbook betting splits page and player props page!
Best NHL Player Props Today
Josh Doan 3+ Shots on Goal (+120)
Doan is coming off a career-best season, where he totaled 25 goals and 27 assists in his first season with the Sabres. He ranked fourth in both shots on goal per 60 and shot attempts per 60 on Buffalo last season, and that includes Alex Tuch in the top three, who plays for Washington now. The 24-year-old is expected to receive consistent top-line minutes, alongside both Tage Thompson and Josh Norris, and he found success against this Blue Jackets team last season, scoring four goals across three outings.
What gravitates me towards Doan the most is his defensive prowess, as he ranked fourth in the NHL in total takeaways, and Columbus ranked inside the top half of the league in giveaways per 60 last season. Easy takeaways in the offensive zone should lead to easy shot opportunities, and he’ll see additional opportunities on Buffalo’s top power play unit, too.
Dylan Guenther Anytime Goalscorer (+150)
Chicago looked very bad on Tuesday night in its season-opener, and that was with Spencer Knight starting between the pipes. It’s possible that Knight draws the start again tonight following one day of rest, but if he doesn’t, it will be Arvid Soderblom, who sports a career 3.61 GAA and .887 SV% and 3.50 GAA and .888 SV% across his final 10 outings of last season. Guenther is coming off a strong 40-goal and 33-assist season, and he is expected to be Utah’s primary source of goalscoring as he enters his fourth season in the NHL. Among all skaters with 300+ minutes of ice time, Guenther ranked fifth in goals per 60 and seventh in goals above expected.
Chicago was a very poor goaltending team last season, ranking inside the top-six in both goals against per 60 and xGoals against per 60, while Utah was an underrated club, ranking 11th in xGoals per 60 and 10th in goals per 60. Guenther will continue to see top-six minutes and remains the most lethal goalscorer on a Utah team that is littered with playmakers.
