Golden Knights vs. Devils: The best player prop bets for Dec. 16

Two teams trending in different directions will converge at Prudential Center on Thursday night as the Vegas Golden Knights take on the New Jersey Devils. The Golden Knights have won five of their last six overall, while the Devils have dropped seven of their last eight contests.

Let’s dive into this matchup and highlight our three favorite player prop wagers.

Vegas Golden Knights (17-11-0) at New Jersey Devils (10-12-5), 7:00 p.m. ET

Reilly Smith to score at least one point

Vegas’ top line of Max Pacioretty, Mark Stone, and Chandler Stephenson has taken no prisoners in December, amassing 35 total points over seven games. While this has helped the Golden Knights win games, it has not helped the production of teammates on other lines.

One skater whose stats have been negatively impacted is Reilly Smith, who has seen just 16:47 minutes of ice time this month. In November, he was at 17:51. Smith has just two assists over his last four games, and has been held to 10 total shots over his last seven contests.

Bettors should expect this negative trend to continue, and for Smith to be held off the scoresheet on Thursday night.

NHL pick: No (-106)

Dougie Hamilton Over/Under 2.5 shots

Dougie Hamilton gets in plenty of shots per night, especially for a defenseman. In fact, his 88 shots (24th in the NHL) rate behind only the Florida Panthers’ Aaron Ekblad (94) and the Nashville Predators’ Roman Josi (98) among blueliners.

Hamilton is currently pacing the Devils in shots on goal despite missing three games, and has tallied at least three shots in six of his last nine tilts. Take the Over here, as Hamilton faces Vegas’ 18th-ranked defense by shots against per game (31.6).

NHL pick: Over (-139)

Jesper Bratt goal scorer

While most of his teammates have slumped this month, Jesper Bratt has picked up the slack. New Jersey’s leading points-earner (24) is also pacing his team in December with two goals and four assists.

Bratt has averaged just over three shots per game this month, and has found the scoresheet in five of his team’s seven contests. The Devils are bound to turn a corner soon, and Bratt’s consistency makes him worth a wager to score a goal in this one.

NHL pick: Jesper Bratt anytime goal (+285)