
AJ Scholz
75 - 109
AJ is an NHL Editor for RotoWire and co-host of PuckCast with Statsman and AJ, and an unabashed Penguins fan.
AJ's Picks
Past Picks
Carolina Hurricanes
Minnesota Wild
Prop (+200) vs Minnesota Wild
Prop (+200) vs Minnesota Wild
Proj: --
After a slow start to the year, in which he went 11 games without a goal, Ehlers has seemingly found his stride with goals in four os his last eight outings -- including scoring against the Wild on Nov. 6. In the crease, Minnesota will be deploying Jesper Wallstedt, who is coming off back-to-back shutouts, but all good things must eventually come to an end. Look for Ehlers to stay hot in this one, even on the road.
New Jersey Devils
Chicago Blackhawks
Prop (+195) vs Chicago Blackhawks
Prop (+195) vs Chicago Blackhawks
Proj: --
I admittedly don't love having to take the over when it's multiple points, but Bedard has been unstoppable of late, racking up nine points over his previous three games. New Jersey is missing some pieces on the blue line that could open them up to giving up points to the Hawks. If Chicago can ride their current tide, it will be because of phenom Bedard.
New Jersey Devils
Chicago Blackhawks
Prop (+140) vs Chicago Blackhawks
Prop (+140) vs Chicago Blackhawks
Proj: --
With Dougie Hamilton (lower body) out of the lineup, Hughes is working with the No. 1 power-play unit and seeing some huge minutes with the Devils' top stars -- including his brother Jack. Meanwhile, the Hawks are allowing the third most shots per game at 31.5, setting up a situation in which it might be worth backing most of the Devils to get over their shot props.
Edmonton Oilers
Philadelphia Flyers
Prop (+135) vs Philadelphia Flyers
Prop (+135) vs Philadelphia Flyers
Proj: --
McDavid seems to have finally found his scoring touch after managing just one goal in his first 10 games. He's now found the back of the net in three straight. It's actually a fairly difficult matchup, as the Flyers are allowing just 2.60 goals per game and have one of the NHL's top penalty kills. Still, it's McDavid and he's red hot right now. Ride the wave here.
Dallas Stars
Ottawa Senators
Total (-125) vs Ottawa Senators
Total (-125) vs Ottawa Senators
Proj: --
While the Stars are on the road, I'm still a little surprised that they are underdogs in this matchup. The Senators are sixth in the NHL in goals per game (3.44) but they are also giving up 3.63 goals a night, third most in the league. Meanwhile, Dallas backstop Jake Oettinger is struggling a little, allowing 10 goals on 45 shots (.778 save percentage) over the last two games. All signs point to there being plenty of goals in this one.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Edmonton Oilers
Puckline (+136) vs Edmonton Oilers
Puckline (+136) vs Edmonton Oilers
Proj: --
Edmonton isn't exactly lighting the lamp this year, scoring just 2.94 goals per game this year. Still, the Oilers field the two of the best players in the NHL and can turn it on any night of the week. They are playing at home, so I'm going to back McDavid and Draisaitl to give them a two-goal victory.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Edmonton Oilers
Prop (+105) vs Edmonton Oilers
Prop (+105) vs Edmonton Oilers
Proj: --
If you are with me in backing the Oilers on the Puckline (-1.5), then you should double up and take Draisaitl to find the back of the net. He leads the Oilers with 10 goals this year, well ahead of Connor McDavid, so he's the better play in my opinion. Considering a single-game parlay on this play with the Oilers -1.5 goals.
Detroit Red Wings
Buffalo Sabres
Prop (+200) vs Buffalo Sabres
Prop (+200) vs Buffalo Sabres
Proj: --
Finnie was a bit of a surprise addition to the Red Wings' roster coming out of training camp, but has been consistently playing on the top line with Dylan Larkin through the first six games of the year. And the youngster keeps getting better as he gets more comfortable at the NHL level, including a three-point performance versus the Oilers on Sunday. For the season, Finnie has only hit this mark twice, but those are his two most recent performances, and the Sabres are allowing the second-most shots on goal this year at 33.5 per game.
Minnesota Wild
New Jersey Devils
Prop (+115) vs New Jersey Devils
Prop (+115) vs New Jersey Devils
Proj: --
Looking at the odds makers, Kaprizov is the biggest favorite on the night to find the back of the net at +115. The Russian winger has five goals in seven games this year while putting 28 shots on net. Four of those tallies have come with the man advantage, though he faces a stiff test from the Devils, whose penalty-kill percentage is 95.5 through six games. Still, he's the favorite on the slate to find the back of the net for a reason.
Vancouver Canucks
Pittsburgh Penguins
Total (-122) vs Pittsburgh Penguins
Total (-122) vs Pittsburgh Penguins
Proj: --
Technically, this will be listed as a battle between backups, but so far this season, Pittsburgh's Arturs Silovs has split the workload with Tristan Jarry. When he's gotten the start, Silovs is has given up eight goals on 87 shots for a respectable .908 save percentage. Vancouver's Kevin Lankinen is clearly the No. 2 option behind Thatcher Demko, but Lankinen has started the season strong, recording a .912 save percentage. Both clubs are in the middle in terms of goals per game, with Vancouver at 12th and Pittsburgh at 15th by allowing 3.17 and 3.00 goals per game, respectively. If this total was set at 5.5 or 6, I might take the over, but 6.5 seems a little too high here.
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