Thursday Player Props: Count on Pastrnak, Necas, and Fiala to Fire the Biscuit
Will McLean
2022-12-22
It is Thursday once again, so let's find some winning NHL props. There are seven games on the NHL schedule tonight, which should give us plenty of opportunities to find some winning prop bets. I've taken my time to look over every matchup tonight, and I think I've found a few props that can win us some money. The research is done, the picks are in, and now it's time to watch some hockey!
Below, I highlight three player props that stood out to me for tonight's games. Our record this season stands at (13 – 8) after going (1 – 2) last Thursday, hopefully, we can sweep the board tonight!
David Pastrnak – Over 4.5 Shots (-108)
This season has been nearly perfect for David Pastrnak and the Boston Bruins, and they will be looking to continue their hot play tonight when they host the Winnipeg Jets. Pastrnak has been very consistent this season, especially when it comes to producing shots. For the season he is averaging 5.03 shots per game, and over his last 10 games he is averaging 5 shots per game; that's very consistent. He's also averaging 9.32 shot attempts per game, which is a ton, and over his last 10 games, his average attempts per game are basically identical to his season average; more consistency. He has had five or more shots in four of his last six games and in five of his last six home games, which looks good for us considering he is playing at home tonight. Pastrnak only recorded two shots in his last game, but he has proven that he knows how to bounce back after a bad game. The last three times Pastrnak recorded less than five shots in a game, he followed up by recording seven, nine, and seven shots, respectively, in the next game. Considering how consistent Pastrnak has been this season, and how good he plays after a down game, I expect him to have a big game and rack up the shots for us.
Martin Necas – Over 2.5 Shots (-154)
Martin Necas is having a fantastic season and I think tonight's game on the road versus the Pittsburgh Penguins is a good matchup for him to continue his strong play. Necas has been averaging 3.44 shots per game this season but over his last 10 games his average jumps up slightly to 3.8 shots per game. He is also averaging 6 shot attempts per game, which also jumps up slightly over his last 10 games to 6.2 shot attempts per game. Necas has recorded three or more shots in three straight games, 12 of 14, and in seven of his last eight road games. Necas has already played the Penguins twice this season, in those two games he recorded 11 shots, which makes me even more confident in this bet. Last but not least, the Penguins give up quite a few shots, averaging 33.4 shots against per game, the fifth most in the NHL. With how well Necas has played the Penguins this year, how often he wins this bet, and how many shots the Penguins allow, look for Necas to get us the win tonight.
Kevin Fiala – Over 2.5 Shots (-125)
The biggest and maybe only reason I'm making this bet is because Fiala will be playing on home ice tonight when he and his Los Angeles Kings host the Calgary Flames. Fiala doesn't have staggering shooting stats this season, averaging only 2.86 shots per game, and 4.71 shot attempts per game. The big difference-maker for Fiala is whether is playing at home or on the road. While on the road this season, he is averaging 2.21 shots per game, but while playing at home he is averaging 3.63 shots per game, almost a shot and a half more per game. Also, Fiala has recorded at least three shots in 11 straight home games, and in nine of his last 12 games overall. With Fiala and the Kings playing on home ice tonight, I expect Fiala to make it 12 straight home games recording at least three shots.