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Top Goal Picks: Juraj Slafkovsky , Connor Bedard & Cale Makar
Anytime Goal Prop Predictions & Odds: NHL Best Bets for Friday, October 23rd
Even with just two games set to hit the ice on Friday, there are plenty of Anytime Goal Scorer props to comb through, including Juraj Slafkovsky and Connor Bedard who face off against a pair of back lines that struggle to defend the net.
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To round out the card, we target Cale Makar in a highly anticipated matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning with the Colorado Avalanche defenseman in a great position to score while his front line stretches out their coverage. For more information, check out our NHL betting trends page for the latest daily game odds, insight, and data.
Juraj Slafkovsky (Canadiens vs. Blackhawks) Goal Odds
While Cole Caufield has hogged the spotlight, Juraj Slafkovsky has been able to nearly match his linemates output while averaging 0.37 Expected Goals per game. Their combined production has turned the Montreal Canadiens front line into an efficient unit, leading a group that ranks eighth in Expected Goals For.
In a favorable matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks, Slafkovsky will be able to continue to pressure the net at a high rate by taking advantage of a back line that ranks near dead last in Expected Goals Against in All Situations. With the Blackhawks struggling to keep a body in front of the puck, Spencer Knight has been unable to stand his ground, giving up 3.59 Goals Against per game.
In 5-on-4 Situations, Slafkovsky has been the focal point of the Canadiens first unit, leading the group in Expected Goals with an average of 0.11 per penalty. With Caufield pulling defensive attention away from him, Slafkovsky will be able to operate in front of the crease, improving the quality of his Shots on Goal.
Connor Bedard (Blackhawks vs. Canadiens) Goal Odds
On the other side of the ice, Connor Bedard has been able to play at a very high level, generating 0.50 Expected Goals while averaging 2.67 Shots on Goal per game.
Like Slafkovsky, Bedard will also have a great opportunity to find the back of the net while weaving the puck through a back line that resides near the bottom of the board in Expected Goals Against From High Danger Shots. Especially with Jakub Dobes harshly regressing due to the lack of protection he receives from his back line, giving up 4.47 Goals Against per game while averaging a Save Percentage of .847.
When in the Power Play, Bedard moves to the back line, giving him the opportunity to scan the ice and crash down to the net when a lane opens up. When isolated in front of the crease, the width of Bedard’s shooting lanes on the outside will widen, making it difficult for Knight to wall him off while scrambling between the pipes.
Cale Makar (Avalanche vs. Lightning) Goal Odds
Since the start of the regular season, Cale Makar has been able to attack the net at a high rate, rifling off 2.67 Shots on Goal per game. Makar’s production from the back line makes the Colorado Avalanche versatile on offense, contributing to a group that ranks in the top-10 in Expected Goals For in 5-on-5 Play.
Even when matched up against the Tampa Bay Lightning who excel in coverage, the production Makar receives from Nathan MacKinnon, Martin Necas, and Artturi Lehkonen will help create more space in the middle, making it easier to pressure the net from the blue line. Andrei Vasilevskiy has also shockingly struggled to find his footing this season, entering Friday night’s contest with a Save Percentage of .898.
In Colorado’s first Power Play unit, Makar is accompanied by MacKinnon in the back line, allowing the Avs defenseman to put himself in a favorable position to score off of a rebound with fewer bodies in front of the net.
Photo Credit: REUTERS
