Here are popular prop bets to place on Connor Bedard's NHL debut
The wait is finally over. This week, Connor Bedard will take the ice in his NHL debut and go up against Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Chicago Blackhawks season opener.
This highly-anticipated game has captivated the sports betting world, and expectations are high for the first overall pick from the 2023 NHL Draft to find the back of the net in his professional debut — especially since Marc-Andre Fleury won't be there to trip him up.
Should you feel confident in putting some money down on Bedard in his NHL debut on Tuesday, here are what prop bets are looking like over at DraftKings.
DK is high on Bedard to score in his first NHL game, and the odds of him doing so are 6-4 one day before the big game. A parlay bet for him to score and least once and for the Blackhawks to win is priced at 19-5 odds. Fans who want to see Bedard and Crosby trade off scoring can wager on that too, as a pick for two to combine for three-plus goals is priced at 13-2. Think Bedard will get on the board early on Tuesday evening? The odds at DK that he will score within the first five minutes of the game are 16-1.
It shouldn't be a surprise that Bedard is expected to score early and often as his career gets underway. Remember, Auston Matthews made history when he scored four goals in his NHL debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs back in 2016.
But bettors beware: Being a generational talent doesn't guarantee a player will score in their first game. Just ask Connor McDavid, who was stymied twice in his NHL debut and didn't score his first professional goal until five games into the 2015 season.
It's all part of the process, however, as Bedard gears up for what fans and experts alike expect will be a Calder Trophy-worthy rookie campaign. Speaking of which, Bedard is the -140 favorite (roughly 5-7 odds) at DK to win the Rookie of the Year honors.
Let's not look too far ahead though and focus on Bedard getting his first NHL game under his belt. Puck drop for that season-opening tilt against Crosby and the Penguins is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
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