NHL Betting Picks and Player Props to Target: Saturday 2/10/24

Saturday usually means a busy night on the ice, and we've got 26 teams in action at some point today. With no shortage of options to choose from, there are some pretty tasty wagers sitting at FanDuel Sportsbook's proverbial kiosks.

Whether it's moneylines, total goals, or player props, there are plenty of ways to bet on the NHL action all season long. It's a long 82-game season, meaning that the best selections of each night can be very different based on backup goalies coming into play, injuries that add up, and if teams are due for positive or negative swings.

My favorite picks are on the way, but don't forget to check out FanDuel's Parlay Hub to see other trending bets in all sports -- including ice hockey.

Let's dive into the best bets for tonight.

Note: Lines are subject to change throughout the day after this article is published. All NHL betting odds and totals come from FanDuel Sportsbook.

NHL Best Bets

Vancouver Canucks at Detroit Red Wings

Under 6.5 (-105)

This afternoon matinee might not feature a ton of goal scoring.

Recently, these two teams have done an excellent job of keeping the puck out of the net in various ways. The Vancouver Canucks have been one of the best defenses all season long, and it hasn't stopped recently. They've ceded the ninth-fewest expected goals per 60 minutes (2.74 xG) in the past month, and Thatcher Demko has posted 3.23 goals saved above expectation (GSAx) in the same time frame.

Not to be outdone, Alex Lyon of the Detroit Red Wings has been doing it himself. Despite Detroit's pitiful defense in the past 30 days (3.29 xG allowed per 60), Lyon is fifth in the NHL with 7.79 GSAx in the same period.

An off day from Lyon could lead to the Vancouver offense getting going, but the Wings are also scoring just 2.25 xG per 60 minutes in the past 30 days. That's worst in the NHL. It's hard to see them blowing up Demko and the 'Nucks to an extent this game meets or exceeds seven markers.

Washington Capitals at Boston Bruins

Brad Marchand 3+ Shots on Goal (-110)

When a former All-Star on one of the best teams in hockey is around even money for three shots on goal, we should likely pay attention.

That's Brad Marchand of the Boston Bruins, who is trending oddly relative to this betting number. He's met or eclipsed three shots in four of his last six games, but the two exceptions were goose eggs. If you're just betting by recent averages, this prop won't show a lot of value.

I still think he's going to get pucks on net against the Washington Capitals. Washington's 60.1 Corsi allowed per 60 minutes in the past month is middle-of-the-pack, and Marchand's TOI average in February (17:49) is awfully healthy considering the B's have yet to play a game decided by fewer than three goals. Luckily, FanDuel has Washington at -118 to keep this game within a goal.

FanDuel Research has new player projections that you should check out, and they're bullish on Marchand's shot volume in this spot. He's projected for 3.13 shots in this game when this prop would show value at a median projection of 2.54.

Colorado Avalanche at Florida Panthers

Avalanche ML (+120)
Sam Reinhart 3+ Shots on Goal (-122)

The Colorado Avalanche were betting favorites to win the Stanley Cup at the break, but three consecutive losses are quickly dropping the Avs from contention. Could they surprise as an underdog tonight in South Florida?

I think so. The Avs, on paper, would need to simply outskate the Panthers and let their goaltending shine, and I can lean on Colorado's star-studded attack to do that in a one-game sample.

In terms of expected-goals-for rate (xGF%) in the past 30 days, Florida (60.8%) towers over Colorado (49.8%). Yet, that gap is erased in goal -- and then some. In the same period, Alexandar Georgiev (3.00 GSAx) has finally turned around his early-season skid, and Sergei Bobrovsky of the Panthers (-2.63 GSAx) has badly struggled.

With motivation to end their skid, I'll take the Avs to win in a rare underdog position today. However, all we need is a competitive affair for our second pick: Sam Reinhart's prop for shots.

Reinhart still has his usual role atop the Ice Cats' lead line in all ice conditions, and he's even pounded a gaudy 22:01 TOI average in February. However, his shot volume -- randomly -- has disappeared. The winger averages 2.67 shots per game this season, but he's recorded just two shots in two February games.

FanDuel Research's projections are optimistic he turns it around today with a median projection of 2.78, which would imply -355 odds to record three on goal.

Seattle Kraken at Philadelphia Flyers

Under 5.5 (-105)

This sinking total screams under -- even at a playoff-level over/under.

The Seattle Kraken and Philadelphia Flyers aren't strangers to unders. At least 56.0% of both's contests this season have fallen short of oddsmakers' expectations, and they're ripe for them as two of the worst offenses in the league with plus goaltending.

In the past 30 days, Philadelphia has posted the ninth-fewest xG per 60 minutes (2.81), and Seattle (2.88) isn't much better. During the same period, Joey Daccord (3.81 GSAx) and Samuel Ersson (2.51 GSAx) -- oddly both backups to begin the year -- have shined in the crease.

An off night for one might spell trouble for this low total, but they've been so consistent against poor offenses that it's hard to envision even which side might have the edge to explode offensively.

New Jersey Devils at Carolina Hurricanes

Hurricanes Team Total Over 3.5 (-116)
Brent Burns to Record a Point (-120)

I'm never one to trust the Carolina Hurricanes' poor goaltending to win a game or cover a spread, but their offense lies in an elite position tonight.

Carolina is third in xG per 60 minutes (3.47) over the course of the past month, and they'll meet their opposite in the form of the New Jersey Devils' defense. New Jersey has ceded the third-most xG per 60 (3.45 GSAx) in the same time period.

If you're worried about the Devils' netminder, Nico Daws, don't be. Daws' 0.14 GSAx in the past 30 days are about as neutral as it gets.

numberFire's model projects the Hurricanes for 3.85 goals at a median tonight. That number would only need to be 3.55 to show value at these -116 odds. Assuming some scoring, we can tack Brent Burns' points prop onto it.

I wrote about Burns further in today's NHL DFS helper, but he's in a great role to contribute at present. Burns is the Canes' lead blue-liner in all ice conditions, posting a sizable 24:56 TOI average in February.

This is somewhat chalky given his three points in two games to begin the month, but it's hard to go against FDR's convincing projections. They've got Burns projected for 0.82 points in this tilt, which would imply -455 odds for one appearance on the score sheet.

Looking for more NHL betting opportunities? Check out all of the NHL odds at FanDuel Sportsbook.

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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.