In this minuscule, two-game NHL slate, we're in the thick of a heated playoff race.
Two players who are playing tonight have stood out to me and hold significant value. I always love picking anytime goal scorers because it forces me to dive even deeper into the numbers — even more so than a regular head-to-head battle. So let's get into it.
Let's dive into my NHL anytime goal scorer, picks, predictions, and odds for Friday, April 3.
NHL Anytime Goal Scorer Picks, Friday, April 3
- Noah Cates Anytime Goal Scorer (+430, FanDuel)
- Beckett Sennecke Anytime Goal Scorer (+250, FanDuel)
NHL Anytime Goal Scorer Picks
Noah Cates Anytime Goal Scorer (+430)
Noah Cates is enjoying his best season as a professional, with a career high 17 goals, 25 assists and 42 points. Not only that, but he’s also playing to a team-best +20.
This may be a career year for Cates, but most recently, he’s been one of the more efficient players in the league.
Over the last 10 games, he’s generated seven high danger opportunities, ranking ninth, and his high danger expected goals lead the Flyers.
In tonight’s game against the Islanders, there are major ramifications. Both teams are in a heated battle for a playoff spot, and the standings have changed daily.
The Islanders have been hanging onto their playoff spot by a thread, and losing their last two games hasn’t helped their case. Conversely, the Flyers have gone 7-2-1 over their last 10 games.
New York is a brutal team at 5-on-5 play, and it leads the league in high-danger chances allowed, while ranking third worst in expected goals against – only behind the Blackhawks and Canucks.
Not exactly great company.
The only thing holding the Islanders together is goaltender Ilya Sorokin, who you can tell is starting to feel the heat because his team has let him out to dry. He’s playing to a 2.4 GSAx over his last 10, which is a far cry from what we’re used to seeing from him.
Cates has been held goalless for the past three games, but he’s managed to generate a ton of steam over this stretch, and given how poorly the Isles are on the defensive end, this is the perfect opportunity for him to net one.
Pick: Noah Cates Anytime Goal Scorer (+430 FanDuel)
Beckett Sennecke Anytime Goal Scorer (+250, FanDuel)
Like the East, the West is an all-out brawl to get into the playoffs – and the St. Louis Blues are right in the thick of it.
It seems like the Blues’ opponents, the Anaheim Ducks, are in a good position, though, as they lead the Pacific Division and are 10 points ahead of the Sharks, who are just on the outside looking in.
But for the Ducks, they have a lot of players who have been creating a ton of opportunities.
The one that I’m singling out is Beckett Sennecke, the rookie, who, if not for Matthew Schaefer, would probably be the favorite for the Calder Trophy.
Over the last 10 games, Sennecke has been on a heater, recording a pair of goals and six points. But he’s been finding himself in all the right places.
Sennecke is 12th in the league in this 10-game stretch with a 3.03 high danger expected goals rate, and has registered eight high danger chances.
The Blues have definitely been playing spirited hockey since returning from the Olympic break, but their road record has been rough, and they have only won one game on the road in their last five.
I really like their goaltender, Joel Hofer, and he’s been a big reason why they’ve been making a surge in the playoff race. Additionally, St. Louis has dramatically improved its 5-on-5 play, so taking Sennecke to score on a team that’s been a brick wall may be a stretch.
But I’m a firm believer in “the cream rises to the top,” and Sennecke has played well enough to earn a goal.
Pick: Beckett Sennecke Anytime Goal Scorer (+250, FanDuel)
