NHL Friday player props: Home cooking
Although we have only two games on Friday's slate, there are a few props on the board that really stand out. Let's take a closer look.
Mikael Backlund over 3.5 shots (+110)
Backlund is one of the hottest shooters in the NHL right now. His line recently jumped from 2.5 shots to 3.5 shots and it hasn't seemed to matter; he has cleared it in nine of his past 10 games.
The underrated two-way pivot has averaged 6.4 shot attempts per game during this hot streak, which is nearly 1.5 higher than his season average to date.
While 6.4 attempts may not seem like high volume for somebody who needs four shots, Backlund is effective at driving the net and getting the puck into high-danger areas. It's easier to hit the target from close range with fewer obstacles in between the puck and the netminder.
Getting the puck to the slot shouldn't be a problem against the Anaheim Ducks. No team has given up more shot volume, or quality, on a per game basis this season.
With the Winnipeg Jets stumbling over themselves, the door has crept open for the Flames to really push for a playoff spot. This game is imperative for them, and I think we're going to see that urgency in their play.
Expect the Flames to put up 40+ shots in this game, and for Backlund to take his fair share of them.
Carter Verhaeghe over 3.5 shots (+105)
Verhaeghe is another underrated player in the midst of an absolute heater, at least on home ice.
He has generated four shots on goal or more in nine of the past 10 games in Florida, averaging a whopping 4.8 in that span. He has put up at least five shots seven times in that span so he's not just squeaking by. Verhaeghe is getting the job done with room to spare.
I don't see that changing Friday night against the Chicago Blackhawks. For one, Verhaeghe was recently reunited with Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Bennett. His shot rate is at its highest with those two players.
Trying to slow Verhaeghe will be a putrid Blackhawks team that is playing terrible defensive hockey. At five-on-five, only four teams have conceded shots at a higher clip over the past 10 games.
With the Blackhawks bleeding volume, and Verhaeghe lights out at home, he should be able to remain red hot.
Sam Reinhart over 2.5 shots (-145)
Like Verhaeghe, Reinhart is another Panthers player who does his best work on home ice.
He has recorded three shots or more in eight of his last 10 home dates, coming just one shy in both of the exceptions (while combining to miss the target five times). We could easily be looking at a 10-for-10 situation.
Reinhart's volume has been through the roof in Florida. He has averaged 6.8 attempts over his last 10 home dates, compared to just 4.8 on the road. A massive swing.
The Blackhawks are a bad defensive team and paper thin. Playing on the third line, Reinhart should have advantageous matchups against porous depth pieces all night long.
Look for him to take advantage.
Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.