Thursday Props: Bennett And Tkachuk Prowling; Schwartz Shooting; Nylander Staying Active
Will McLean
2023-05-04
It is Thursday once again, so let's find some winning NHL props. There are a pair of game twos on the schedule tonight, the Toronto Maple Leafs vs Florida Panthers and the Seattle Kraken vs Dallas Stars, both are fantastic series. I've taken my time to carefully look over both matchups 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. My record during the playoffs stands at (2-4) after a horrible day last Thursday, hopefully, we can sweep the board tonight!
Sam Bennett – Over 0.5 Points (-117)
Bennett has been having a fantastic playoff so far, having recorded seven points in seven games, one of five point-per-game players for the Florida Panthers. Of his seven playoff games so far, he has recorded a point in six of them. A big reason for his success is that he is Matthew Tkachuk's center, together they have been terrorizing opposing defensemen. They play a hard-nosed, in-your-face, crash-the-net type of game in which teams have a tough time defending without taking penalties. And when they do take penalties, Bennett and Tkachuk are right back out there as part of the Panthers top powerplay unit. The Panthers are averaging 3.75 goals per game during the playoffs, while the Leafs are averaging 3.57 goals against. If the Panthers score 3+ goals again tonight, I'm certain the Bennett-Tkachuk combo will find the scoresheet. The Leafs might be able to limit the damage, but I doubt they will be able to completely shut down Bennett and Tkachuk.
Jaden Schwartz – Over 2.5 Shots (-128)
This play is pretty simple: Schwartz has been winning this bet a lot during the playoffs and I expect him to continue that. Schwartz has recorded at least three shots in six of his last seven games. Over those seven games he has tallied 30 shots, for an average of 4.29 shots per game, that average would be more than enough to get us the win tonight. With the Seattle Kraken missing Jared McCann, their regular season points leader, Schwartz is being leaned on to produce more offence which has led to his outburst in shots. With the way Schwartz has been playing recently, and with the Kraken playing without McCann again tonight, I expect Schwartz to throw the puck on net every chance he gets.
William Nylander – Over 3.5 Shots (-105)
William Nylander has gone three straight games without a point and five without a goal, but he is still racking up the shots and that's all I care about with this play. Over his past 11 games, Nylander is averaging 4.91 shots per game, I expect him to continue that pace tonight. His high shot output has led to him recording four or more shots in six of his last nine games, and in three of his last four home games, which is a good sign with the Leafs at home tonight. With Nylander not having scored since the second game of the playoffs, and the Leafs losing game one at home Tuesday, I expect Nylander to come out flying tonight and do anything he can to find the scoresheet.