NHL bets: Five plays for Saturday's slate, as playoffs loom

Luke Evangelista over 2.5 SOG (-105 DK)

Blue Jackets vs. Predators, 8 p.m. ET

We're back with a Nashville SOG prop again, and this time, I was thinking it would be a good idea if we picked a winner.

Luke Evangelista has quite clearly decided now is an amazing time to start ripping the puck with gusto. He has piled up 20 (!) shots on goal in his last three (!) games.

20 SOGs in three games on 28 total attempts is volume we're going to have to back at this price against a Columbus team allowing 35 shots per game on the road over the last month and a half.

I did consider the fact that the Predators just played, but then I looked at how Evangelista has fared on zero days rest, and my concerns were quelled. He is over this line in five of his past six such situations, three times finishing with 4+ shots.

So yeah, OK. For science, let's also sprinkle on some higher numbers here.

• .5u: 4+ shots (+235 FanDuel)
• .25u: 5+ shots (+530 FD)

A pair of Rangers power-play points

• .5u: Chris Kreider PPP (+220 DraftKings)
• .5u: Mika Zibanejad PPP (+190 DK)

Rangers vs. Islanders, 12:30 p.m. ET, ABC

We've got a play on this early game between the Islanders and Rangers, which should be feisty after what the Rangers perceived to be a cheap shot on Mika Zibanejad when they last played four days ago.

The Rangers are off a tough loss and have Carolina breathing down their necks in the standings. I do think they come out inspired here and aim to pour on some goals against a bitter rival.

It helps to see the Isles sporting a below-average penalty kill on the road, as the Rangers tend to take advantage of any such weakness from their opponents. 

Both of the Rangers goals vs. the Islanders earlier this week were on the power play, and they've now scored eight PP goals over the last five meetings.

These are the two names that offer us the best value, in my book.

Kreider has five PPP in his last five games and seven PPP in his past 10 meetings with the Islanders. Zibanejad has five PPP in his last four games and has five PPP in his past seven games against the Islanders.