NHL Friday best bets: Connor, Perfetti to take flight vs. Sabres

We have a very small card ahead of us on Friday. There are only three games scheduled and just two for the night slate.

Not much stands out in terms of sides and totals, but there are still a few props that caught my eye. Let's take a closer look.

Kyle Connor over 3.5 shots

Connor is off to a red-hot start to the campaign. He's scored 13 goals through 15 games and is shooting the puck at a very high clip, averaging 4.5 shots per game on over seven attempts.

Although he is efficient at five-on-five, a healthy chunk of his shots come on the power play. Getting him the puck on the man advantage is clearly Winnipeg's top priority, as he leads the team in points and has nearly twice as many shots as the closest teammate to him.

That's important to note when going up against the Sabres. They have struggled with discipline thus far, taking more penalties per game than all but three teams.

If they're going to give the Jets a handful of opportunities on the power play, that should greatly benefit Connor on his quest for four shots.

Odds: -110 (playable to -130)

Cole Perfetti over 0.5 points

Perfetti looks like one of the better young players in the NHL. He has 13 points through 15 games and has been a model of consistency, finding the scoresheet in seven consecutive games and recording nine points in that span.

He has produced with extreme efficiency at five-on-five, averaging 3.26 points per 60 minutes in that game state, a top-tier rate that comfortably ranks him first on the Jets.

With Tage Thompson sidelined due to injury, the Sabres' forward crop is not as dangerous. Their thinned-out group should make life a little easier for Perfetti at evens.

He also skates on the top power-play unit. The Sabres take penalties in bunches - and their goaltending is mediocre - so that's certainly a big plus.

Expect Perfetti to stay hot and find success in an advantageous matchup at home.

Odds: -115 (playable to -140)

Matthew Tkachuk over 3.5 shots

The Ducks have been a constant target for shot props, and there is no reason to get away from that. They are allowing well over 32 per game this season and their numbers are actually trending in the wrong direction.

That's not good news when squaring off against the Panthers. They are one of the best shot-generating teams in the NHL and have feasted on the Ducks time and time again in recent history.

Dating back to 2022, the Panthers have posted shot totals of 42, 55, 48, and 55 against the Ducks. Insane outputs.

While this year's version of the Ducks is better than what we've seen in the past, they do have warts defensively and take more penalties per game than anybody.

This is a spot where Tkachuk - the Panthers' leader in attempts, shots on goal, and high-danger chances - should put up a big number.

Odds: -122 (playable to -145)

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @ToddCordell.

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