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Top Goal Picks: Zach Benson , Joel Eriksson Ek & Joel Farabee
Anytime Goal Prop Predictions & Odds: NHL Best Bets for Friday, November 6th
Even though there are just three games dropping puck on Friday night, there are still plenty of Anytime Goal Scorer props to groom through, including Zach Benson who has been able to capitalize on the space Tage Thompson provides with his gravity in the top line.
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Up to $1,000 Back in Bonus Bets Over First 10 Days*
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Later in the night, we shift our focus to Joel Eriksson Ek and Joel Farabee with both productive skaters facing off against a pair of back lines that struggle to defend the net. For more information, check out our NHL betting trends page for the latest daily game odds, insight, and data.
Zach Benson
After failing to score in his first eleven games of the year, Zach Benson has started to get into a groove, netting a pair of Goals in two out of his last four starts. Even during his slump, Benson was able to match Tage Thompson’s output, rivaling his teammate in Expected Goals with an average of 0.41 per game.
Fortunately for Benson, the Sabres forward will have a great opportunity to light the lamp for the third time this season against the Columbus Blue Jackets by attacking a back line that ranks below league average in Expected Goals Against in All Situations. Especially with Jet Greaves incapable of standing his ground while under duress, giving up 3.11 Goals Against per game while averaging a Save Percentage of .883.
In 5-on-4 Situations, Thompson moves to the back line, giving Benson the opportunity to anchor in front of the net to set himself up with a one timer or high quality rebound opportunity. With fewer bodies surrounding the crease, the quality of Benson’s shot attempts will improve, increasing his chances of scoring.
Joel Eriksson Ek
Since the start of the regular season, Joel Eriksson Ek has helped turn the Minnesota Wild front line into an efficient unit, averaging 0.59 Expected Goals while generating 3.35 Shots on Goal per game.
Heading into Friday night’s contest against the San Jose Sharks, Eriksson Ek will be able to pressure the net at a higher rate by taking advantage of a back line that struggles in coverage per their near dead last mark in Expected Goals Against in 5-on-5 Play. The Sharks inability to wall off shots has made it difficult for Alex Nedeljkovic to play at a competitive level, giving up over three Goals Against per game.
When in the Power Play, Eriksson Ek has been the Wild’s most consistent source of production, leading the first unit in Expected Goals with an average of 0.16 per penalty. With Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy stretching the Sharks out thin, Eriksson Ek will be able to generate a higher volume of Shots on Goal, forcing Nedeljkovic to scramble between the pipes.
Joel Farabee
While the Calgary Flames have underwhelmed as a whole on offense, Joel Farabee has been able to play at a competitive level, sending the puck into the back of the net in five out of his last eight outings while averaging 0.31 Expected Goals per game.
In a favorable matchup against the Anaheim Ducks, Farabee will be able to build on his momentum by picking apart a back line that ranks in the bottom ten in Expected Goals Against From High Danger Shots. With the Ducks struggling to keep a body in front of the puck, Lukas Dostal has been vulnerable to getting beat while averaging a Save Percentage of .872.
Positive regression is also looming large over Farabee in 5-on-4 Situations, leading to an uptick in his usage rate while skating circles around a back line that struggles to shift their coverage across the ice. When isolated in front of the crease, Dostal will be forced to pull away from the net, creating larger gaps on the outside.
Photo Credit: REUTERS
