Finding value in Thursday's NHL bets

He's facing a Flyers team allowing 35.8 shots per game this season, the third-most in the league. Laine's volume is really picking up now that he's back healthy and growing chemistry with Johnny Gaudreau. Laine has 12 SOG in his past two games and is over 3.5 in four of his last five. He's averaging 8.6 attempts per game during this stretch and should be able to keep it rolling at home.

In three games against Philly last season, Laine went over 3.5 each time, averaging 5.0 total. Despite the shots Laine is getting off, he's scored just twice this season. We'll be betting he finds the back of the net  tonight.

.5u: Laine goal (+145 CZR)

Nathan MacKinnon over 4.5 SOG (-130 MGM)

There's plenty that supports a Nathan MacKinnon bet tonight. Nashville hands out power plays, and MacKinnon leads Colorado in power-play shots. The Predators allow the fourth-most shots to centers, and yes, Mac is a center.

Then there's the past history against Nashville. Colorado and Nashville met in the postseason last year, which helped the two teams meet seven times last season. MacKinnon finished with no less than six SOG in each of his last six meetings against this team, three times finishing with 8+. Here is a great ladder candidate for today. He scored six goals against the Preds last season and despite averaging 8.8 attempts per game over his last five, he hasn't scored in five straight. I'm putting a unit also on that tonight, this is a great spot for the Colorado leader.

1u: MacKinnon goal (+128 CZR)

Filip Forsberg over 3.5 SOG (+100 DK)

We stick in this game and load up on Filip Forsberg, and what a sight for sore eyes it is to find a +100 price! Colorado is allowing 33.5 shots per game and allowing the 10th-most power-play opportunities per game, which makes them a fine target for this evening.

Forsberg leads Nashville in power-play shots, and the Avs have also been generous to shots from LWs, which is where Forsberg resides on the Preds' top line. 

Forsberg has 4+ shots in four of his last six games, and he's piled up 9+ shot attempts in three straight, all on the road. I like the volume we've got here in what should be a game with plenty of shooting. Forsberg has a goal in three of his last four games. 

.5u: Forsberg goal (+180 CZR)

Gabriel Vilardi over 2.5 SOG (-120 DK)

Gabriel Vilardi has been rolling along, going over 2.5 SOG in three straight and six of his last eight. This includes a November 3 meeting with the Chicago Blackhawks, who he'll see again tonight.

The Blackhawks allow the sixth-most shots per game (34.3) and the third-most power-play opportunities per game. Vilardi is shooting at a steady rate and has an involved role on Los Angeles' power play. I find these odds incredibly reasonable.

I will not be betting on Vilardi to score, instead opting for his point in a play we'll get to in just a bit.

Brad Marchand & Jesper Bratt 1+ point each (+112 DK)

This combination feels incredibly strong to me. We're circling two teams in Boston and New Jersey that have been scoring at will, with each matching up against a team allowing goals and power play chances. Then we have the fact that both the Bruins and Devils are at home and I'm particuraly fond of finding some points or goals props from these teams.

Brad Marchand has a point in eight straight home games, dating back to last year. Five in two home games this year and 20 total in his last eight in Boston. He has a point in four of five games this year and should get his chances on the power play against a Flames team allowing the second most power plays per game. 

Jesper Bratt has a point in all seven home games this season and 12 of 13 games overall. He recorded a point in all three meetings with Ottawa last season.

I love these two together.

Brock Nelson & Gabriel Villardi 1+ point each (+168 CZR)

We take the same type of approach for this points parlay pairing. Both the Islanders and Kings are seeing teams that allow plenty of scoring, while doing plenty of their own, and both the Coyotes and Blackhawks hand out power plays.

Knowing those opportunities are coming only further aids in our confidence that a point should be achieved, whether regular or the power play variety.

Nelson has a point in seven of his last nine games and six in seven home games this season. Last year against Arizona, Nelson had four points in two games. Three of those were goals, so by all means look there.

We already touched on Vilardi with his shots, but his points have been just as solid. He has one in six of his last eight games and five straight home games.

That's more than enough plays to get our hockey day started. Roll with what speaks to you, enjoy the action, and let's win some bets.