Friday's NHL schedule boasts just three games, but with nine of the top-25 point producers in action, bettors have plenty of opportunity to make wagers on elite player performances. However, while focusing on top players like Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Sidney Crosby, and Jack Hughes may be enticing, it's important to also consider the potential of supporting cast members when making your NHL player prop bets.
Players that ride the coattails of their superstar teammates often get overlooked, and as a result, their odds in various prop betting markets remain unchanged even when their production increases or their circumstances improve, and that’s the case for New Jersey Devils’ forward Tomas Tatar.
Best NHL Player Prop Bet
Tomas Tatar Over 0.5 Points (-130)
Barring any changes to head coach Lindy Ruff’s lineup, Tatar should slot in next to Hughes on one of the Devils’ top lines. Since Dec. 27th, Tatar has been playing most of his five-on-five minutes alongside Hughes and only four players have logged more power play time. Tatar has points in seven of his last nine games (two goals and seven assists).
The 32-year-old put up just 16 points in his first 32 games played, but roughly 90 percent of his ice time was spent away from Hughes. Since he joined forces with Hughes, he’s produced at a similar rate as some of the Devils’ top players over the last month. However, his odds of scoring a point are significantly lower than that of the Devils’ other top point producers not named Jack Hughes.
|
Player
|
Points Per 60
|
Over 0.5 Points
|
|
Nico Hischier
|
2.66
|
-205
|
|
Dougie Hamilton
|
2.61
|
-205
|
|
Tomas Tatar
|
2.55
|
-130
|
|
Jesper Bratt
|
2.54
|
-230
|
New Jersey’s opponent (Anaheim) ranks dead last in the NHL in shots against (the Ducks are allowing over 40 shots per game) while the Devils rank among the top-five shot generators in NHL. Tatar doesn’t score goals often, and he’s not known for generating a lot of shots, but Hughes has scored 3.22 points per 60 since December 13th and Tatar has arguably been the biggest beneficiary.
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Record:
Wins: 1
Losses: 1
Units Won: -0.35 units
ROI: -13.7 percent