NHL best bets for Thursday: Vegas picking on the Blackhawks

Where there's shots there's goals, and there's every reason to expect 4+ goals from Pittsburgh tonight against Arizona. The Coyotes were particularly vulnerable to centers last season, and we opt for one of the most talented centers in the league to get us a point in Sidney Crosby. Crosby had five points in two games against Arizona last year and recorded 1+ point in 74% of home games last season.

Our first shot prop target of the night is with Devils defensemen Dougie Hamilton against Philadelphia. Philly allowed nearly 34 shots per game last season and the seventh-most to defensemen. The Flyers are expected to be one of the worst teams in the league this year, so tonight shapes up as a nice shooting evening for New Jersey.

Hamilton averaged 5.3 shots/game against the Flyers in three meetings last season and went over this 2.5 line in 66% of games.

Joel Eriksson Ek over 2.5 SOG (-125 DK)

While the Rangers were a tight team to shots last season, they were quite generous to the center position, allowing the seventh-most shots on goal per game to the position. I considered taking Brayden Point on Tuesday because of it, and he finished with three SOG while second-line Tampa center Nick Paul finished with two SOG.

In comes Joel Eriksson Ek tonight, who went over his SOG line in both meetings against New York last season. Eriksson Ek particularly liked playing in Minnesota, going over 2.5 SOG in eight straight home games to wrap his season. On the year, he was over in 64% of games.

Jason Robertson over 2.5 SOG (-130 DK)

Dallas is in a great spot for shots tonight. Nashville allowed 32.3 shots per game last season and allowed the most power play opportunities. In the two Prague games, San Jose averaged 32 shots on goal and had four power play opportunities in both games.

The Stars should be able to generate similar volume, and their top PP line is in a good spot for some easy shots on net.

Jason Robertson is my favorite choice to capitalize, one of the top power play shooters on Dallas from last season and back on the top-line with Roope Hintz and Joe Pavelski. I've mentioned it a few times already, but getting three guys back for another year is such an advantage at the birth of a new season, these fellas know how to play with each other.

Robertson went for 3+ shots on goal in three of four against the Predators last season.

Jack Eichel over 3.5 SOG (-135 DK)

Get used to betting against Chicago all season long. We did it last night with MacKinnon, and he easily covered his shots prop. The Blackhawks are going to see 35+ shots against them on a regular basis, and now on a back-to-back against a Vegas team that just pummeled Los Angeles with 51 shots, this one could get ugly.

Jack Eichel is the clear choice here for me despite the juice. He finished the first game with seven SOG on nine attempts and he went over this 3.5 line in 24 of 34 games last season.

The Blackhawks allowed the fourth-most shots per game to centers last season, Eichel should have himself a night.

Alex Pietrangelo point (+100 DK)

Lots of Vegas love in this article but it really is just a great spot for the Golden Knights to take advantage of the Blackhawks.

Pietrangelo had two points in the season opener and five shot attempts. Against Chicago last season, the Vegas defensemen averaged 7.33 shot attempts per game, and it's for that reason I like his points here at a very reasonable +100. Him firing the puck could lead to a deflection, rebound or goal, all of which would count in the points column.

Chicago allowed six power plays yesterday, with Colorado scoring four power play goals. Pietrangelo is part of the second power play line and recorded a power play point on Tuesday. Knowing that these chances are likely coming down the pipeline adds to the confidence level that he can get us a point in any form tonight.

Pittsburgh & Vegas to win in regulation (+103 DK)

I don't think this one requires much explanation, both of these teams should absolutely dominate in every facet of the game.

Arizona and Chicago will be two of the worst teams in the league and both Pittsburgh and Vegas could pile up 40+ shots and 4+ goals tonight.

Tim Stutzle & Chandler Stephenson 1+ point each (+198 DK)

Truly the worst part about this beautiful play is that Stutzle plays at 7 and we'll have to wait until the late game to cash this with Stephenson.

Let's start with Stephenson because we've basically beaten the Vegas angle into the ground already. I obviously like plenty of goals from Vegas here, and Stephenson is second-line center and on the top power play unit. He had two points in the Golden Knights' first game and five points in three games against Chicago last season.

As for Stutzle, I want a piece of this Ottawa team tonight. Buffalo allowed 3.5 goals per game a season ago, and this Senators team has some serious offensive juice that should lend itself to high-scoring games this season.

I like Stutzle as the top line center skating alongside Brady Tkachuk and Drake Batherson. I love the potential of the DeBrincat-Norris-Giroux line, but would prefer to see them gel together before putting money down on their success.

Stutzle had a point in 12 of his last 15 road games last season and recorded two points in three games against the Sabres.

Enjoy tonight on the ice, let's have ourselves some fun.