Top Expert NHL Prop Picks for Friday

Friday's NHL slate will see the Florida Panthers attempt to remain undefeated as the Arizona Coyotes and Chicago Blackhawks still search for their first wins. Our hockey experts dive into these matchups and more with their top NHL prop picks.

Here's a look at the top NHL team and player props from our betting experts for Friday's six-game schedule.

NHL Team Prop Picks

Washington Capitals’ first-period moneyline (-104 at FanDuel Sportsbook) - Esten McLarenCapitals Over 3.5 Goals (-130 at BetMGM) - Ryan GilbertCapitals Over 4.5 goals (+185 at DraftKings Sportsbook) - Swinging JohnsonCapitals to score in each period (+155 at Caesars) - Matt Jordan

NHL Player Prop Picks

Brady Tkachuk Over 0.5 points (+100 at DraftKings) - McLarenJohn Carlson to record a point (-136 at FanDuel) - GilbertTom Wilson Over 0.5 assists (+165 at DraftKings) - JohnsonBoone Jenner Over 2.5 shots (+150 at Caesars) - Jordan

SEE ALSO: Senators vs. Stars NHL Picks

Top Expert Team Prop Picks

Capitals’ first-period moneyline (-104) - McLaren

The Arizona Coyotes (0-6-1) will win a game eventually, but there’s no reason to expect that victory to come on Friday. They’re playing their third straight road game and are on the second half of a back-to-back after taking a 5-1 loss against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday. The Capitals (4-0-3) had Thursday off and will look to avenge Wednesday’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings.

When betting against Arizona, it’s important to find greater value than the lopsided moneylines. The Caps are -360 favorites to win outright, but we’re getting a significant discount for them to lead after 20 minutes. The ‘Yotes have been outscored by a collective 9-3 through seven first periods.

Capitals Over 3.5 Goals (-130) - Gilbert

The Capitals rank sixth in the league with 4.00 goals per game. They scored four or more goals in four of seven games so far this season. On the other hand, the Coyotes are dead last with 4.86 goals against per game, and they allowed four or more goals in five of seven games, including Thursday's loss to Tampa Bay. Washington is going to come out hot against the worst team in the league. The Caps are -360 favorites, so this is pretty good value at -130.

Capitals Over 4.5 goals (+185) - Johnson

The Coyotes are going from the fire into the frying pan on consecutive nights. After getting walloped by the Lightning 5-1 on Thursday they stay on the road to play the high-flying Capitals. It’s a perfect storm for a major league blowout as the Caps had the night off last night to prepare for this one.

Therefore, we are going to watch all those talented scorers on the Washington roster light the lamp early and often. Arizona is allowing nearly five goals per game and has the worst penalty-killing unit in the league. Add that to a potent Washington scoring machine and we will go with Capitals Over 4.5 goals (+185) and get a healthy return at DraftKings.

Capitals to score in each period (+155) - Jordan

Washington is on a bye Friday night … not really, but the Capitals might as well be due to the fact they are playing the atrocious Coyotes, who are winless and have lost every game but one by multiple goals. Oh, and it’s the second half of a back-to-back for the 'Yotes. It's expected to be Karel Vejmelka in the net, but it frankly doesn’t matter. Arizona is last in goals allowed (34) and save percentage (.843). The Caps average 4.00 goals per game and just scored in every period on Monday against the Ottawa Senators.

Top Expert Player Prop Picks

Tkachuk Over 0.5 points (+100) - McLaren

The Senators offense awoke in Monday’s 7-5 home loss to the Capitals. The five-goal output was 50 percent of what they had mustered through five games. Still, Tkachuk registered just one assist and two shots on goal. He and the Sens have been off since Monday ahead of Friday’s visit to a Dallas Stars team that lost to the Columbus Blue Jackets (4-1) and Vegas Golden Knights (3-2 in overtime) on Monday and Wednesday, respectively. Ottawa looks to end a three-game losing skid.

Ottawa has a respectable edge over Dallas in both Corsi For percentage and expected goals for percentage at 5-on-5, and Tkachuk owns a personal Corsi For rating of 58.24 percent at full strength. I like the point prop at even money as a safer play than backing Tkachuk as an anytime goalscorer (+210).

Carlson to record a point (-136) - Gilbert

Carlson had a few great offensive seasons with 189 points over 201 games from 2018-19 to 2020-21. However, he has just three points through seven games this season. I expect that to change Friday. Carlson plays on the top pair and quarterbacks the top power-play unit. The Coyotes have allowed a power-play goal in each of their seven games this season. The Capitals should get at least four or five goals, including a few power-play tallies. Expect the minutes-eating defenseman to pick up at least one point.

Wilson Over 0.5 assists (+165) - Johnson

As long as we are counting on the Caps to light up the scoreboard we might as well consider a corollary player prop with one of their talented forwards. Let’s look for Wilson to add to his seven helpers already this season with another assist on Friday. Bet Over 0.5 assists for Wilson and get a sharp +165 return on your investment.

Jenner Over 2.5 shots (+150) - Jordan

Columbus visits the New York Rangers on Friday and the Blue Jackets welcome back top-line winger Max Domi. That should only open up more opportunities to put the puck on the net for Jenner. He had four shots on goal in two of his last four games, and he scored a goal in three of those. Jenner always plays heavy minutes (his 20:20 average ice time leads all Columbus forwards), so we expect at least three shots against the Rangers.

SEE ALSO: All NHL Odds and Lines