Best NHL Prop Bets Today: Stuart Skinner to Continue to Struggle

After a few defensive performances in games one and two of the Western Conference Finals, the scoring opened up in game three with the Dallas Stars winning 5-3. The Oilers set the tone early by taking a 2-0 lead before the Stars woke up in the second period and buried the puck in the back of the net three times in four minutes. That led to both teams trading goals until the Stars hit the nail in the coffin with an empty netter. With both offenses operating at a high level, expect another high scoring affair for game fours contest.

As for where to wager on the NHL player prop market, the DraftKings sportsbook has been the pioneer for them as they offer a plethora of options for us to choose from. If you have not signed up yet with the DraftKings sportsbook, you can receive a no sweat bet of up to $1,500 as well as a no sweat NBA SGP for the NBA Playoffs by simply creating an account. Be sure to collect as many sportsbooks as you can, giving you access to more sign up bonuses to boost your bankroll as well as give you the ability to line shop as NHL player prop odds can drastically vary between each sportsbook.

Dallas Stars vs. Edmonton Oilers - Game 4 Prop Bets (8:30 PM, EST)

Stuart Skinner Over 2.5 Goals Against (-130) at DraftKings

After walling off the Stars offense in the first period in game three, Stuart Skinner quickly fell back down to reality by allowing three goals in the back of the net in quick order. His struggles have been well documented and were on full display as the goals allowed in game three were as low quality as it gets. Three of the four Stars non-empty net goals clocked in an Expected Goal of 0.04, 0.08, and 0.01.

While that normally screams negative regression for the Stanley Cup favorite Stars offense, a case can be made that Stuart Skinner is one of the few goalies where low quality shot attempts are just as lethal as high quality Shots on Goal. Skinner has struggled mightily throughout the NHL Playoffs, coming into game four of the Western Conference Finals with a Save Percentage of .885 and a Goals Against per Game average of 2.76.

This prop is heavily correlated with our game four best bet as the scoring pace should continue to run rampant as both offenses have been playing at a high level. The Stars offense have been one of the best units in 5-on-5 situations and have the depth to provide productive offensive play throughout the full 60 minutes. Expect Dallas to remain aggressive on offense and continue to pepper Skinner in net with a high chance of low quality shot attempts finding the back of the net.

Bet on Stuart Skinner at DraftKings 

Zach Hyman Over 3.5 Shots on Goal (-118) at BetRivers

While Connor McDavid is the clear top player on the Oilers offense, this series has been dominated by Zach Hyman. Hyman is the instant benefactor of less coverage while the Stars defense does everything in their power to slow down the always dangerous McDavid. Oddsmakers agree with this depending on which sportsbook you look at as Hyman is now the leading favorite to score a goal for the Oilers offense.

Now as low as +100 to score a goal, that shifts my attention towards his Shots on Goal prop instead. Fresh off of a seven Shots on Goal performance, Hyman has excelled at putting himself in favorable scoring positions by ending game three with an Expected Goal of 1.61. Even with just two Shots on Goal in game two, Hyman still finished with an impressive 0.41. That shows elite consistency with his positioning, potentially finding himself with an uptick in shot attempts for game four.

Bet on Zach Hyman at FanDuel