There are just three games on Wednesday night’s NHL schedule but plenty of value remains on the board. Let’s dive in and check out some of the best NHL player props for Wednesday’s action.
Tonight’s NHL Player Props | October 19
*Odds courtesy of FanDuel
Valeri Nichushkin Anytime Goal Scorer (+164)
The Colorado Avalanche have been putting the puck in the back of the net plenty so far this young season and there’s not much reason to believe that will stop as they host the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday.
The Jets have allowed five goals in two games this season, but this is a team with a track record of allowing plenty of offensive opportunities. Last season, the club ranked 26th in expected goals against/60 and 29th in high-danger chances against/60 at 5v5, as per Natural Stat Trick. The club has been among the worst teams in the league in these departments for years with Connor Hellebuyck forced to consistently bail out his club’s weak defensive play.
Sure, the club is under a new coaching regime with Rick Bowness behind the bench and Hellebuyck is capable of stealing games. This is simply a horrible matchup for a soft Jets back end.
When it comes to Nichushkin, his spot on the team’s top line and top power-play unit alongside Nathan MacKinnon presents a huge opportunity. That Avs man advantage is clicking at 50% in this young season so a spot among that group certainly boosts Nichushkin’s value here.
He’s already potted four goals in three games, so let’s look for the white-hot Russian to continue building off what was a career-year a season ago.
Joel Farabee Over 0.5 Points (+110)
The Flyers are surprisingly undefeated through three games this season and take their perfect record into Sunrise to take on the Panthers Wednesday.
The Panthers are down two of their top defensemen for this one as Aaron Ekblad was placed on long-term injured reserve Wednesday morning due to a lower-body injury while an upper-body injury will prevent Brandon Montour from suiting up as well. As a result, this Panthers back end has thinned out in a hurry.
As for Farabee, he’ll get a favorable spot in the pecking order tonight as he’s set to skate on the team’s first line and top power-play unit. As the left flank on the man advantage Farabee has seen plenty of touches on that group.
He’s been held off the scoresheet this season, but has eight shots on goal while his 20:45 of average ice time is miles above a career-high 17:35 of average ice time from a season ago. He’s clearly a key cog in this Flyers offense.
At plus money to get on the scoresheet, Farabee is a player to dial in on tonight.
Robert Thomas Over 0.5 Assists (+126)
Robert Thomas and the St. Louis Blues head to Seattle for just their second game of the season to take on a Kraken team that’s once again struggling out of the gate.
With just one win in four tries, the Kraken are once again hovering around the NHL’s basement and while it’s early, their defense has once again struggled out of the gate. After ranking 24th in overall defense last season, the Kraken have surrendered four goals per game this young season. Not exactly a bounce-back campaign defensively to this point.
Fresh off a contract extension, Thomas is featured prominently in this Blues offense. Thomas is a playmaker by trade. He did score 20 goals in a breakout 2021-22 season, but also notched 57 helpers in 72 games. Through the first 242 games of his NHL career, Thomas has 42 goals and 123 assists. He’s recorded just 305 shots on goal (1.26 per game) in that time, displaying his pass-first mentality in the process.
Thomas picked up a helper in Saturday’s season opener while logging 19:12 of ice time. Look for him to get right back in the assist column in a favorable matchup tonight.
