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NHL Wednesday: Getting right on a three-game slate
Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

NHL Wednesday: Getting right on a three-game slate

Last night was a frustrating one on the ice, as it seemed every shot prop target missed by just one. While tonight's slate is small, there are promising spots in each game. In order to limit risk but maximize exposure, all props today will be a half-unit wager. 

As always, follow the betting strategy that resonates most with you, but this is how I'm approaching the night.

Minnesota over 3.5 goals in regulation (-120 FD)

This would be my favorite spot for goals tonight, and I'll be adding to that belief with a couple of goal scorer props later on in this piece.

The confidence is relatively straightforward. Minnesota is averaging 3.5 goals per game at home and Detroit is allowing 3.5 per road game. The Wild have also been finding success scoring on the power play, while the Red Wings' penalty kill has had their issues in the past 10 games.

As of this writing, the expectation is that it will be Alex Nedeljkovic in net for Detroit. To put it kindly, he has been less than stellar. He's allowed 4+ goals in three straight starts and six of his past seven. 

Minnesota has finished with four or more goals in four of their last six at home and should be able to pick on a Detroit team skating on a back-to-back and without Dylan Larkin. Consider the Wild's 60-minute line in a play as well, but that's a bit juiced at -160 currently.

Vancouver-Calgary over 6.5 goals (-102 FD)

Three straight games between these two teams have exceeded 6.5 goals scored, and I'm seeing goal averages for both teams that suggest goals on both ends. The Flames haven't been as tight to goals as you may remember from last season, and Vancouver has been an over bettors dream team this year.

The Canucks have gone over in eight of their last 10 on the road, and the over is 6-4 in the past 10 Calgary home games.

.5u: Alex DeBrincat goal (+140 CZR)

I liked a DeBrincat goal on Monday but couldn't bring him to the finish line. I was quickly kicking myself, given that he notched a first-period goal and ended with two scores, both on the power play.

I'm not hesitating tonight. DeBrincat now has three goals in his last two games and has 15 shot attempts in that stretch. The Senators should find themselves some goals tonight, both in 5-on-5 and the power play.

Montreal is allowing 3.2 goals per game on the road and struggling with penalties, while Ottawa scores 3.4 per game at home and is sporting one of the top power-play scoring rates over the past 10 games.

.5u: Claude Giroux over 2.5 SOG (-114 FD)

This feels to me like the best price on Ottawa for the production we've seen. Montreal is a fantastic team to target for shots when they're on the road, and Giroux has covered his SOG prop in four of his last five games.

Giroux loved to see Montreal last year while on the Flyers and Panthers, going over 2.5 shots in all four meetings. The injury to Tim Stutzle may open up some more volume as well.

.5u each: Kirill Kaprizov goal (+103 CZR) & Matthew Boldy goal (+235 DK)

We might as well combine these two Wild skaters here into one section, as I'll be betting on each to score and aid our above bet for Minnesota to score 4+.

Kaprizov has four goals in three career games against Detroit and shoots far more when skating at home. He has a goal in 60% of home games this season, one of the top marks you'll find in the league.

Matthew Boldy too has had success against the Red Wings. In two games last year, Boldy had five goals against Detroit. Yes, you read that right. With how many guys we're seeing score twice in a game lately, Boldy to score 2+ could be a fun side bet for tonight.

Boldy has a goal in two straight games and is shooting a ton lately, averaging 6.6 attempts per game over his last five.

.5u: Nazem Kadri over 3.5 SOG (+136 FD)

I want a piece of Calgary shots tonight, as Vancouver is allowing 33.3 shots per game on the road this season.

Nazem Kadri stands out to me at plus-money, and while he hasn't been too consistent hitting this number, the volume is certainly there, putting up 6+ attempts in six of his last seven games.

A look back on the last few Canucks games shows me a team struggling against opposing teams' second lines. That has me liking a big game from Kadri, who went over 3.5 shots in all three games against Vancouver last season while on Colorado.

Kadri also scored in two of those games, has scored in three of his last four against the Nucks, and has buried one in two straight home games. Given Vancouver is allowing 3.9 goals per game on the road, I'll add on a Kadri goal as well tonight.

.5u: Nazem Kadri goal (+180 CZR)

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