NHL Player Props: Expert Picks for Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Shea Theodore (May 12)

NHL Player Props: Expert Picks for Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Shea Theodore (May 12) article feature image
Credit:

Paul Swanson/NHLI via Getty Images. Pictured: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) of the Edmonton Oilers.

  • Two games are in action tonight but Nick Martin is eyeing NHL player props in one game: Oilers vs. Golden Knights.
  • He lays out the two plus-money bets he’s making for Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Shea Theodore in a pivotal Game 5.
  • Read on for his expert picks below.

We're looking at two NHL player props from the late matchup in Friday's Stanley Cup playoff doubleheader: Oilers vs. Knights. I'm seeing value on one player on each side of tonight's pivotal Game 5 matchup at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Check out my favorite NHL best bets for Friday, as the Stanley Cup Playoffs continue.

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NHL Player Props for Friday, May 12

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Over 2.5 Shots on Goal +125

Oilers vs PanthersOilers -135
Puck Drop 10 p.m. ET
Best LineBet365

After putting up 37 goals and 104 points in the regular season with strong two-way play, Nugent-Hopkins playoff form has been disappointment. He's put up just one goal and nine points in ten playoff games, and has not had a very positive impact on the game overall.

Those concerns went out the window in Game Four though as the Oilers reunited the line of Nugent-Hopkins, Connor McDavid, and Zach Hyman. Playing alongside the games best player, Nugent-Hopkins broke through with a goal, an assist, and four shots. In 36.4 minutes together this postseason the combination has played to a 75% expected goal rating.

All indications seem to be that the Oilers offensive lines will stay the same in tonight's game, which makes sense considering the 4-1 result last time out.

This series has gotten a little out of control in terms of player safety, which was very evident at the end of Game Four. The referees in this contest will be fully aware of the prior ongoings, and I believe will likely call this game very tight looking to help keep things in check.

A high total of Oilers powerplays would go as a boost to Nugent-Hopkins, who plays the bumper spot on Edmonton's incredible top powerplay unit.

The absence of Vegas' top defender Alex Pietrangelo is another positive note in favour of this prop. His absence increases the likelihood that Edmonton's top unit is able to spend more time in the offensive zone generating attempts on goal.


Shea Theodore Over 2.5 Shots on Goal +120

Best LineBet365
Vegas' top right defender Alex Pietrangelo will be suspended for this contest. That absence should mean that Theodore is asked to step up and play huge minutes as he slides up to the top unit. Theodore gets powerplay time normally, but he should still see an increase in usage on that front as well.
As with Nugent-Hopkins, if there Vegas ends up receiving an above average amount of powerplays in this game that would be great for this play.
Theodore's output of shots on goal is trending quite low, but part of the reason why is because a higher than average amount of his attempts have not found the target. He ranks fourth on the Knights with 13.19 shot attempts per 60 this postseason.
Theodore is a more capable offensive defender than he has shown so far this playoff. He had some tough moments in Game Four, but with Pietrangelo he will be given every opportunity to make up for that performance tonight.

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