With playoff implications in seven of Monday’s eight games, there’s plenty on the line in the NHL tonight.
The race for the third seed in the Metropolitan Division and final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference are front and center, and the New York Rangers can also win the President’s Trophy with a home win over the Ottawa Senators. Along with the Rangers, the Detroit Red Wings and Edmonton Oilers are the largest favorites in the NHL odds on the docket.
Here are our free NHL picks and NHL player props for Monday, April 15.
NHL prop picks and best bets for April 15
- Shesterkin Under 2.5 goals against (-125 at Bet99)
- Zacha Over 0.5 points (-135 at Bet99)
- Slafkovsky Over 0.5 points (-115 at Bet99)
Picks made on April 15 at 1:00 p.m. ET.
Read full analysis of each pick.
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Today’s NHL prop picks and best bets
Prop bet #1: Shesterkin sinks Sens
The injuries are piling up for the Ottawa Senators with center Tim Stutzle (upper body) ruled out and center Ridly Greig (illness) questionable for Monday’s game after missing the morning skate. Additionally, Mark Kastelic (upper body) has been forced into a bigger role down the stretch, and he’s also out after sustaining an injury Saturday.
It leaves the Sens reliant on the No. 1 line to carry the offense, and the New York Rangers have an excellent top-four defense corps and the last-change advantage. Of course, Blueshirt No. 1 goalie Igor Shesterkin is also finding his game at just the right time with a league-best .926 save percentage and 0.72 goals saved above average per 60 minutes out of the All-Star break.
I also value these Igor Shesterkin odds because the Rangers can win the President’s Trophy and earn home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs with a win, so I expect New York to take care of business and hold the Senators in check Monday.
Igor Shesterkin prop: Under 2.5 goals against (-125 at Bet99)
Prop bet #2: Zacha time in D.C.
The Washington Capitals will be without top-four defensemen Nick Jensen (undisclosed) and Rasmus Sandin (upper body) on Monday, and the Caps are already reeling along a 2-5-2 stretch while allowing 3.44 goals per game. It’s a good setup for the Boston Bruins and center Pavel Zacha.
Zacha has caught fire down the stretch with 22 points through his past 18 games and is showing off excellent chemistry with star linemate David Pastrnak. The duo have been on the ice for 5.49 goals per 60 minutes during Zacha’s heater, and he’s also become a mainstay on the No. 1 power-play unit.
I also value these Pavel Zacha odds because Boston is still in the thick of the President’s Trophy race, and the Bruins can also secure top seed in the Atlantic Division with a win.
Pavel Zacha prop: Over 0.5 points (-135 at Bet99)
Prop bet #3: Slafkovsky night in Motor City
Montreal Canadiens winger Juraj Slafkovsky has been held off the scoresheet in consecutive games following a breakout 15-game stretch consisting of six goals and 11 assists. I’m expecting a return to the points column for the 20-year-old winger against the Detroit Red Wings on Monday.
Detroit has allowed the fourth-most goals per game (3.76) and ranks 29th with a 71.9 penalty-kill percentage during its active 6-12-3 skid. The Red Wings have also been a five-on-five disaster during the slump with the fifth-most expected goals against per 60 minutes and a 31st-ranked 44.9 Corsi For percentage.
I’m also targeting these Juraj Slafkovsky odds because he skates with linemates Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield in all situations, and they’re respectively priced at -180 and -175 to register a point against Detroit.
Juraj Slafkovsky prop: Over 0.5 points (-115 at Bet99)
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