Freedman’s Favorite NHL Player Prop (Feb. 18): Will Nikita Kucherov Take 3 Shots?

Each day, I publish at least one quick-n’-dirty piece highlighting a favorite prop of mine. See my master list of 2019 prop bets for more information.

Also follow me in The Action Network app, where each day I post additional, official player prop picks: Today we have a six-game NHL slate to bet on.

2019 Year-to-Date Record

109-87-8, +24.19 Units

• NFL: 21-13-0, +11.72 Units
• NBA: 42-33-2, +5.30 Units
• NHL: 35-34-5, +4.48 Units
• Golf: 3-4-1, -0.50 Units
• NASCAR: 3-2-0. +1.55 Units
• NCAAF: 0-1-0. -1.00 Units
• Exotics: 5-0-0. +2.64 Units

Freedman’s Favorite NHL Player Prop for Monday, Feb. 18: Nikita Kucherov Over/Under 2.5 Shots on Goal

• Over 2.5: -155
• Under 2.5: +125

Today's NHL slate isn't large, but it has some great games, one of which is Blue Jackets-Lightning (7:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN).

Tampa Bay right winger Nikita Kucherov stands out in the FantasyLabs Props Tool.

Although the under on his shots prop is available at plus money, we have him projected for 2.35.

I get why so much juice is on the over. Kucherov is a great player. He leads the league with 94 points and is averaging 2.76 shots on goal per game.

But over the past month, he has focused less on scoring and more on facilitating, averaging 1.18 assists per game. That in part is why he has so many points: For the year, he has a league-high 67 assists.

With all the assisting, Kucherov has taken just 2.45 shots on goal per game this month (per the FantasyLabs NHL Models).

As for the Blue Jackets, they are a sound defensive team that has allowed the eighth-fewest shots against this year with 30.09 per game.

At 2.5, I’d bet the under all the way to +105, although I wouldn’t touch it if the line moves to 2.0.

The Pick: Under 2.5 (+125)

Matthew Freedman is the Editor-in-Chief of FantasyLabs. He has a dog and sometimes a British accent. In Cedar Rapids, Iowa, he’s known only as The Labyrinthian.