My NHL goalscorer predictions missed the mark on Tuesday night, but I can take some confidence from my process.
Macklin Celebrini, my first goalscorer pick, scored twice in the third period of a 6-3 win over the Calgary Flames, and Leon Draisaitl recorded four assists and seven shot attempts in a 6-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Thursday’s 10-game slate will give us another opportunity to find some players to light the lamp.
Let’s dig into my best NHL goalscorer bets today.
NHL Goalscorer Predictions Today
All hockey odds used for these NHL goalscorer predictions today are current as of Thursday, Dec. 18, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
Artemi Panarin: Anytime Goalscorer (+185) @ Blues
Panarin leads the New York Rangers in shots (105) and is tied with Mika Zibanejad with a team-high 11 goals this season.
His odds have likely cratered due to New York’s inability to put the puck in the net lately, as the Rangers scored just one goal across their last two games, both of which were at Madison Square Garden.
However, the Blueshirts’ offense has been much more prolific on the road (3.22 goals per game) than on home ice (1.76). Plus, Panarin has been a more aggressive shooter lately, recording 21 shots (one goal) across his last three outings.
The Rangers should snap out of their scoring drought on Thursday against a St. Louis Blues team playing for the second straight night, so I’m backing Panarin to light the lamp with my NHL pick of the day.
Trevor Zegras: First Goalscorer (+1600) @ Sabres
NHL first goalscorer stats don’t point to this play, as the Philadelphia Flyers have scored first in an NHL-low 10 of 32 games this season. However, the Buffalo Sabres haven’t been much better in that department, taking the lead in just 13 of 32 contests.
Zegras has been on a tear lately, scoring five goals in seven games, including one in each of his previous four outings. The 24-year-old also found the back of the net in the first matchup against the Sabres this season.
At these longshot odds, I’ll take a chance on Zegras to open the scoring in Buffalo on Thursday night.
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Alex Ovechkin: Anytime Goalscorer (+145) vs Maple Leafs
For my other NHL anytime goalscorer prop, I’m targeting the league’s all-time leading scorer, Alex Ovechkin.
The Washington Capitals’ star hasn’t found the back of the net in five consecutive games, his longest goal drought in nearly two years.
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Ovechkin will have a good chance to snap that skid on Thursday against a Toronto Maple Leafs team allowing 3.42 goals per game on the road this season.
Like the Rangers, the Capitals were shut out in their most recent outing on Tuesday night, so I’ll back their best player to ignite a bounce-back performance.
