NHL Friday bets: Mixing it up to find prop winners

Frederick Gaudreau has three goals in his last two games and a goal in two of his last three against the Blackhawks. Chicago is seeing the fourth-most shots per game to centers, and seeing the Walker-Gaudreau-Boldy line notch so many goals lately has me liking them to keep it going.

Gaudreau has 4+ attempts in three of his last four games and scored on the power play last game. I see a massive PP edge for Minnesota tonight.

Ryan O'Reilly power-play point (+670 FD)

Everything points to St. Louis struggling to notch a power-play goal here. Their PP rate is below average and Calgary's PK has been strong.

However, the Flames are handing out 4.2 power-play opportunities per game, and O'Reilly appears to be on the top power-play line, according to Left Wing Lock. With so many chances potentially coming down the pipeline, it's worth a speculative play that some Blues power-play goals come — I could see this being a high-scoring game.

O'Reilly has not gotten many PPPs this season, his 5-on-4 ice time is down overall compared to last year. However, he has a PPP in two straight against Calgary, and at this price I'm taking a stab. It's opposite day after all. Go light here if you join.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau power-play point (+290 FD)

The Islanders went 0-3 with one shot on three power plays against the Bruins Tuesday, and the PP struggles were on the mind of many players and head coach Lane Lambert.

If you read into that story a bit, there was quite a bit of emphasis on needing to get right on the power play after some issues over the last five games, with Friday's game referenced as the next opportunity to get right. Now naturally, they'd point to the next game regardless, but I'd argue this game tonight is exactly what the doctor ordered to get the Islanders power play back on track.

Over the last 15 games, no team is handing out more power plays than Arizona at 4.53 per game. For context, the next closest team is averaging 4.07 PPOA in this span of games. Not only are the Coyotes giving teams chances to skate a man-up, they've struggled slowing them down.

Arizona's 73.5% PK rate over this stretch is ninth-worst in the NHL. In a get right chance for the Islanders and their power play, I want to explore a bet on a power play point.

If you read that article I linked to, one player in particular was mentioned as a driver for the Islanders' power-play success.

"The Islanders’ power-play uptick coincided with – but was not coincidental to – Lambert placing Jean-Gabriel Pageau in the bumper position between the circles on the first unit."

Pageau is on PP1 for New York, and given his placement on the ice as the bumper, he's touching the puck consistently. That's music to my ears here when looking to nail down who may be involved in a power play goal.

I like the Islanders to score on the power play tonight, and I'm betting it's Pageau who is involved. Sportsbooks like Barstool have opened up markets for a team's total power-play goals, so if you prefer a safer route, consider taking the Islanders over 0.5 power play goals at -155. 

Good luck tonight, and enjoy your Friday on the ice!