3 NHL Player Prop Bets to Target on Tuesday 10/17/23

Player props can be useful in a variety of ways -- from taking advantage of them straight up to measuring a player's potential to produce in daily fantasy baseball on FanDuel. Here, we're going to focus on the former.

Utilizing numberFire's projections as a guide, here are some NHL player props bets that look appealing via the NHL odds at FanDuel Sportsbook.

Please note that betting lines and numberFire's projections may change throughout the day after this article is published. Also, the weather may be an issue in some locations.

Filip Forsberg To Score a Goal (+180)

Much like last night when I said Dylan Larkin was due for a goal, we turn to Filip Forsberg, who is also due for a goal.

We started off the week strong with that Larkin (+150) goal last night, so let's keep it rolling tonight with Forsberg of the Nashville Predators.

Forsberg skates on the top line and the first power-play unit for the Predators, who have a 3.00 implied goal total against the Edmonton Oilers. That strong role has led to Forsberg racking up 14 shots on goal through three games, and you guessed it, no goals yet.

Last season, Forsberg was hampered by some injuries but in 2021, he notched a career-high 42 goals. He's a proven goal-scorer and someone we can absolutely trust when it comes to NHL player props.

The Preds' offense has been a bit lackluster to start the season, scoring only 1.45 Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the 10th lowest in the league. However, if we look at their Expected Goal Scored (xGF), they are up at 2.92 Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. That is a major differential and signals the offense should be primed to score more goals.

When it comes to the Oilers' defense/goaltending, it has been a complete mess to start the season. Yes, it's only been two games but they've allowed a staggering 5.39 Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the worst in the league. Of course, that will improve as the season goes on, but if they are struggling right now, we want to jump on a chance to attack them.

Forsberg will have plenty of chances to fire the puck and find the back of the net tonight.

Mikko Rantanen Over 3.5 Shots (-102)

The Colorado Avalanche are off to another insane start this season and will often be looked to for player props this year.

When it comes to offense in the NHL, the Avalanche have been among the top teams in the league for several seasons and 2023 is going to be no different.

While they've only played two games, they come in with a monstrous 82.43 Corsi For (Total Shot Attempts Created) per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which unsurprisingly tops the league. That is a laughably high number and essentially means they have their foot constantly on the gas pedal.

While this number won't stay that high forever, it's reasonable to assume they can stay among the best in the league, as they've finished each of the last two seasons among the top seven in the league in Corsi For.

They are constantly apply offense pressure and that means tons of shot attempts and plenty of shots on goal. That leads to a ton of value in the prop market and a clear option with Mikko Rantanen.

Rantanen has eight shots on goal in the first two games, while skating on the top forward line, and the top power-play for the Avs. A big 3.52 implied goal total tonight against the Seattle Kraken suggests they are going to be pouring on the offense, putting Rantanen in a favorable spot.

Tage Thompson Over 3.5 Shots (-106)

Tage Thompson and the Buffalo Sabres are still looking for their first win of the season and need to get the offense going.

Thompson has 85 goals over the last two seasons, which is the 10th most in the NHL during that time. He's an elite scorer and is off to a slow start this year with no goals, no assists, and seven shots on goal in two games.

Tonight, he'll be up against the Tampa Bay Lightning, who are traditionally known as a strong defense but things might be a bit different this year. They lost some depth pieces in the offseason and have lost elite goaltender, Andrei Vasilevskiy for the first 10 weeks of the year.

So far, the Lightning have a 62.52 Corsi Against (Total Shot Attempts Allowed) per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the 12th worst in the league. This has led to them allowing 4.65 Goals in the same situations, which is the second-worst in the league.

Through their first three games, the Lightning have allowed each team's opposing top-line center to rack up four, seven, and eight shots on goal. This is the time for Thompson to get things going and rack up plenty of shots on goal.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.