Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8). Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

NHL best bets: Three prop plays for Saturday's big slate

By Griffin Carroll | Last updated 12/2/23

Plenty of hockey games to peruse today, and we've got the fix for those seeking puck plays. We're continuing down the Shots on Goal market, finding us a few plus-money looks for Saturday.

Candidly, I've had a rough little stretch here, so I'm moving most of my wagers down.

.5u: Mark Scheifele & Aleksander Barkov over 2.5 SOG (+217 FanDuel)

Chicago and the New York Islanders allow the first and second-most shots to centers, so I'm opting to load up a pair of top centers on the two teams opposite them this afternoon.

Scheifele is over in five of last six games and has finished with SOG totals of four, two and five in his past three meetings with the Blackhawks.

Barkov has 5+ shots on three of last four at home and has 4+ shots in two of his last three against the Islanders.

.75u: Sean Couturier 3+ shots (+110 FanDuel)

Couturier is not as steady on the road, but I'm surprised at this price against a Pittsburgh Penguins team allowing 34.6 shots per game at home over the last month.

Coots has been rolling for the Flyers, averaging five SOG/game through his last five, three times logging 6+ shots. I'll take plus-money for three.

.75u: Cale Makar over 3.5 SOG (+115 Fanatics)

Cale Makar has four and five SOG in his last two meetings with the Ducks, who allow the seventh-most shots per game to defensemen. Makar's volume is great lately, churning out 11 attempts in each of his past two on the road.

Makar was one of the rare guys nice enough to go over for me on Thursday, so as my new best friend and most trusted confidante, I'll give him another look up at 3.5. For good measure, Makar is one of Colorado's top power-play shooters, which comes in handy against an Anaheim team handing 4.3 power-play opportunities per game over the last 20 days.

Nobody digs in the corners for picks on pucks like YB's Griffin Carroll. Follow him at griffybets.substack.com for NHL data, trends and targets.

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