Best NHL Prop Bets Today: Panthers Offense Poised to Bounce Back

After being held to just one total goal in a 3-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, the Florida Panthers offense has the opportunity to bounce back with a favorable matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday night. Defending their net has been an issue for the Penguins defense this season as their back line enters the contest ranked near dead last in Expected Goals Against in All Situations and in 5-on-5 Play.

A few hours after their puck drop, we turn our attention towards the Edmonton Oilers as they look to continue their hot stretch of play against the lowly Anaheim Ducks. Edmonton has started to show signs of why they were listed as the betting favorite to win the Stanley Cup heading into the season as the Oilers currently rank top-8 in Expected Goals For and Expected Goals Against in All Situations.

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Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Florida Panthers - Prop Bets (7:00 PM, EST)

Florida Panthers Team Total Over 3.5 (-120) at BetMGM Sportsbook

Even though the reigning Stanley Cup champions were held to just one goal in last night’s loss to Carolina, the Expected Goal scoreboard indicates they were very unlucky as the Florida Panthers finished the contest with an Expected Goal of 3.07. Their assault towards the Hurricanes net was spread out as six Panthers finished the contest with an Expected Goal of 0.25 or higher.

Against Pittsburgh, expect the Panthers front line to continue to generate high quality scoring opportunities as the Penguins defense ranks 29th overall in Expected Goals Against in All Situations with an average of 3.38 Expected Goals Against per game. Their lack of production from their goalies has played a major role in their low marks on defense as Alex Nedeljkovic, Tristan Jarry, and Joel Blomqvist all average more than three Goals Against per game while possessing a combined Save Percentage of .892.

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Matthew Tkachuk Anytime Goalscorer (+170) at FanDuel Sportsbook

As for who will do the scoring for the Panthers offense, Matthew Tkachuk has been one of their most consistent sources of scoring production as the star forward is averaging 0.41 Expected Goals and 2.79 Shots on Goal per game. With the Penguins back line struggling to defend their net, expect Tkachuk to take advantage of the wider shooting lanes their defense provides and weave the puck through their coverage for high quality scoring opportunities.

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Anaheim Ducks vs. Edmonton Oilers - Prop Bets (9:00 PM, EST)

Edmonton Oilers -1.5 Puck Line (-140) at BetMGM Sportsbook

Edmonton’s offense generating high quality Shots on Goal at a more consistent rate has played a major role in their recent hot stretch of play as the Oilers front line currently ranks eighth overall in Expected Goals For in All Situations. Against Anaheim, expect three time Hart Memorial Trophy winner Connor McDavid and company to continue to excel at pressuring the net as the Ducks rank 32nd overall in Expected Goals Against in All Situations with an average of 3.86 Expected Goals Against per game.

The Oilers defense has also turned into one of the best units in the league as their back line ranks second overall in Expected Goals Against in All Situations. Their improved coverage has helped Stuart Skinner round back into form as the Oilers goalie continues to climb up the board in average Goals Against per game. With only three Ducks averaging more than 0.25 Expected Goals per game, their lack of versatility will fail to spread out their coverage which increases Skinner’s chances of walling off their Shots on Goal.

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Zach Hyman Anytime Goalscorer (+150) at FanDuel Sportsbook

Since making his return from injury, Zach Hyman has wasted no time in his efforts of pressuring the net as he currently leads the Oilers in Expected Goals with an average of 0.50 per game. Against Anaheim’s lackluster defense, expect Hyman to continue to generate high quality scoring opportunities at a consistent rate by exploiting the gaps in coverage the Ducks back line creates when scrambling back towards their net.

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