It’s a busy Friday night in the NHL with multiple games featuring clubs trying to build early-season momentum — and others searching for goals and identity. Below, we break down four key matchups from tonight’s slate using StatsBench data, recent form, and prop hit-rate trends.
New York Rangers @ Detroit Red Wings
Tip: 1:00 AM CET | Little Caesars Arena, Detroit
Last Meeting: Rangers 4, Red Wings 0 (Nov 9, 2024)
Line: NYR -120 | Total: 6.0
New York Rangers @ Detroit Red Wings -> Click to reveal Cheat sheet
Both the Rangers and Red Wings enter this one fresh off shutout losses and desperate for offensive rhythm. New York fell 3–0 to Carolina, continuing a trend of poor finishing — in seven of their eight losses, they’ve scored one or fewer goals and rank among the league’s worst on the power play (4-for-36).
Detroit, meanwhile, is back home after a 3–2 road trip that ended with a narrow 1–0 defeat in Vegas. Todd McLellan’s side has been stellar in Detroit, winning five straight on home ice. Dylan Larkin (8 G, 18 PTS) continues to drive the attack, while newcomer Patrick Kane faces his former team’s long-time Eastern rival in what could be a lively tilt between two frustrated offenses.
Prop Angles:
- Artemi Panarin over 2.5 SOG (hit 7/10, avg 3.5) – top Ranger volume play.
- Alex DeBrincat over 3.5 SOG – still firing despite quiet scoring run.
- Lucas Raymond over 0.5 Points (hit 7/10) – solid home split.
- Elmer Söderblom over 1.5 Hits (hit 7/10) – sneaky depth prop.
Minnesota Wild @ New York Islanders
Tip: 1:00 AM CET | UBS Arena, Elmont
Last Meeting: Islanders 3, Wild 1 (Apr 4, 2025)
Line: NYI -115 | Total: 6.0
Minnesota Wild @ New York Islanders -> Click to reveal Cheat Sheet
Both teams let points slip in their last outings. The Islanders blew three one-goal leads in a shootout loss to Boston, while Minnesota dropped a 4–3 result in Carolina after giving up two early leads. New York’s offense continues to rely on the power play and the veteran presence of Anders Lee, while top pick Matthew Schaefer (5 G, 6 AST in 13 GP) adds young scoring punch from the blue line.
Minnesota’s inconsistency remains the story — nine losses in their last twelve games and a struggling road defense that ranks bottom-six in expected goals allowed per 60. Still, Matt Boldy and Marcus Johansson provide reliable scoring outlets, and the Wild will look to exploit the Isles’ occasional lapses in defensive-zone coverage.
Prop Angles:
- Anders Lee over 2.5 SOG (7/10 hits, 3.3 avg) – steady home output.
- Emil Heineman over 3 Hits (7/10) – physical role usage increasing.
- Marcus Johansson over 0.5 Points (8/10) – strong low-line value.
- Mats Zuccarello over 0.5 Points (6/10) – still on top PP unit.
Chicago Blackhawks @ Calgary Flames
Tip: 3:00 AM CET | Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary
Last Meeting: Flames 5, Blackhawks 2 (Jan 13, 2025)
Line: CGY -160 | Total: 6.0
Chicago Blackhawks @ Calgary Flames -> click to reveal cheat sheet
The Flames are finally finding life offensively after weeks of frustration. Back-to-back wins over Philadelphia and Columbus have sparked optimism in Calgary, and Wednesday’s 5–1 victory saw Blake Coleman and Jonathan Huberdeau each deliver multi-point efforts. It’s been a grind — the Flames averaged just 2.3 goals per game through their first 15 — but the puck is finally going in.
Chicago, meanwhile, ended its own skid with a 5–2 win in Vancouver behind Tyler Bertuzzi’s third-period hat trick and 43 saves from Spencer Knight. Rookie phenom Connor Bedard continues to shine, leading the team in goals and shot generation. Still, the Hawks face a rested and surging Calgary side that’s rediscovering structure and confidence.
Prop Angles:
- Connor Bedard over 2.5 SOG (9/10 hits, 4.1 avg) – near auto-play.
- Ryan Lomberg over 2.5 Hits (8/10) – consistent grinder prop.
- Jonathan Huberdeau over 0.5 Points (7/10) – trending up with line stability.
- Blake Coleman over 2.5 SOG (6/10) – correlated with recent scoring burst.
Winnipeg Jets @ San Jose Sharks
Tip: 4:00 AM CET | SAP Center, San Jose
Last Meeting: Jets 2, Sharks 1 (Feb 24, 2025)
Line: WPG -135 | Total: 6.0
Winnipeg Jets @ San Jose Sharks -> Click to reveal cheat sheet
The Sharks are suddenly one of the NHL’s most entertaining teams, powered by rookie phenom Macklin Celebrini, who’s tied for the league lead with 21 points in 14 games. His chemistry with Will Smith and Tyler Toffoli has ignited a 4-1-1 run for San Jose, while Yaroslav Askarov has steadied in goal with improved rebound control.
Winnipeg looks to bounce back from a 3–0 loss in Los Angeles that halted their three-game win streak. Coach Scott Arniel pointed to a lack of second-chance chances and interior pressure — two areas they’ll aim to correct against a Sharks defense still bottom-tier in shots allowed. With captain Adam Lowry back and Hellebuyck (.921 SV%) projected to start, the Jets should bring physicality and structure to test San Jose’s young core.
Prop Angles:
- Adam Lowry over 2.5 Hits (9/10 hits, avg 4.6) – elite physical prop.
- Will Smith over 1.5 SOG (7/10) – rookie confidence growing.
- Gabriel Vilardi over 0.5 Points (6/10) – steady mid-line value.
- Ty Dellandrea over 1.5 Hits (7/10) – nice secondary play.
🧾 StatsBench Prop Card
Panarin o2.5 SOG
Bedard o2.5 SOG
Johansson o0.5 Points
Lowry o2.5 Hits
Lee o2.5 SOG