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Best NHL Prop Bets Today: Fade the Blackhawks Underwhelming Front Line

Published: December 16, 2025, 08:00 AM ET
5 min read
Best NHL Prop Bets Today 2025 12 16 Maple Leafs Auston Matthews

With the Toronto Maple Leafs back line excelling in coverage, expect the Chicago Blackhawks to be held under their team total as they lack the versatility that is needed to create high quality scoring opportunities. At the same time as their puck drop, we turn our attention towards Mika Zibanejad as the New York Rangers forward is in a favorable position to score as he faces off against the Vancouver Canucks who struggle to defend their net.

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Best NHL Prop Bets TodayOddsClaim Your Bonus
Chicago Blackhawks Team Total Under 2.5-145CLAIM HERE
Auston Matthews Anytime Goal Scorer+110CLAIM HERE
Anaheim Ducks Team Total Over 3-175CLAIM HERE
Mika Zibanejad Anytime Goal Scorer+210CLAIM HERE

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Chicago Blackhawks vs. Toronto Maple Leafs - Prop Bets (7:00 PM, EST)

Chicago Blackhawks Team Total Under 2.5 (-145) at BetMGM Sportsbook

Even with Anthony Stolarz out with an injury, the Toronto Maple Leafs have been able to play at competitive level as Dennis Hildeby is averaging just 2.72 Goals Against per game and a .923 Save Percentage. The Maple Leafs back line have played a major role in Hildeby’s success this season as the Stanley Cup contenders rank above league average in Expected Goals Against in All Situations with an average of 3.28 Expected Goals Against per game.

Heading into Tuesday night, Hildeby will be able to build on his momentum as he faces off against the Chicago Blackhawks who rank near dead last in Expected Goals For in All Situations and in 5-on-5 Play. Especially with the Blackhawks lacking the fire power that is needed to scramble their coverage as only Connor BeDard averages more than three Shots on Goal per game. For some more exposure, escalator bet the Blackhawks team total by placing smaller wagers on their alternate team totals.

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Auston Matthews Anytime Goal Scorer (+110) at BetMGM Sportsbook

On the other side of the ice, Auston Matthews has excelled at creating pressure in front of the crease as the Maple Leafs captain averages 0.55 Expected Goals per game. With the Blackhawks residing near the bottom of the board in Expected Goals Against in All Situations, Matthews will be able to continue to generate high quality scoring opportunities and score his 14th goal of the season.

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Anaheim Ducks vs. Columbus Blue Jackets - Prop Bets (7:00 PM, EST)

Anaheim Ducks Team Total Over 3 (-175) at BetMGM Sportsbook

Since the start of the regular season, the Anaheim Ducks front line have been one of the more productive units in the league as their offense ranks top-10 in Expected Goals For in All Situations with an average of 3.57 Expected Goals per game through the first two months of the season. Their versatility helps create wider shooting lanes in front of the net for their forwards to exploit as seven players average more than 0.25 Expected Goals per game.

In a favorable matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Ducks front line will be able to put together a dominant performance as they face off against a defense who ranks 30th in Expected Goals Against From High Danger Shots. Even with Jet Greaves playing at a very high level, negative regression looms large over the Blue Jackets goalie as he will be tasked with walling off a high volume of Shots on Goal. Should the Ducks team total climb up to 3.5, then reduce the size of your wager.

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Vancouver Canucks vs. New York Rangers - Prop Bets (7:00 PM, EST)

Mika Zibanejad Anytime Goal Scorer (+210) at BetMGM Sportsbook

Even though the New York Rangers have struggled as a whole, Mika Zibanejad has still been able to thrive as he averages 0.44 Expected Goals and 3.00 Shots on Goal per game. With the Vancouver Canucks back line conceding nearly four Expected Goals Against per game, expect Zibanejad to consistently exploit their gaps in coverage and pressure their net for the full duration of the contest.

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Kody Malstrom

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Kody Malstrom is a sports betting journalist with six years of writing experience in the industry. He covers an abundance of sports, including College Football, NFL, College Basketball, NBA, and more. Born and raised in Michigan, Kody is a devoted Detroit Sports fan and spends his Sundays rooting for the Detroit Lions while telling himself this year is the year they win it all. When not staring at betting markets, Kody spends his free time at the beach in the summer or snowboarding in the winter.
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