Rangers vs. Wild: The best player prop bets for March 8

The New York Rangers and the Minnesota Wild will wrap up their two-game season series when they meet at the Xcel Energy Center on Tuesday night.

These clubs faced off for the first time this year at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 28, and the Wild prevailed in a controversial 3-2 decision. The Rangers appeared to score the game-tying goal at the buzzer, but the officials waved it off, citing goaltender interference.

We’ve taken the liberty of scanning a robust player prop market for this matchup, and came up with our top three plays.

New York Rangers (36-15-5) at Minnesota Wild (32-19-3), 8:00 p.m. ET

Chris Kreider goal scorer

Chris Kreider is in the midst of a career year, notching 38 goals through 56 games. He’s just two off the league lead enjoyed by Auston Matthews. Kreider is an obvious threat to find the back of the net on any given night, but he appears to be especially dangerous in this spot.

New York’s power play is currently second in the NHL at 24.2%, and Kreider has played a huge role in that success, registering 19 goals on the man advantage. Unfortunately for Minnesota, their penalty kill unit is just 28th in the league at 76.8% efficiency.  

NHL pick: Kreider anytime goal (+135)

Kevin Fiala to score at least two points

He’ll likely have to beat Vezina Trophy favorite Igor Shesterkin to do it, but the available odds on Kevin Fiala to score at least two points on Tuesday night are too juicy to pass up.

Fiala has notched multiple points in eight of the Wild’s last 17 games, or just under half the time. Prop bettors are currently being offered over +300 odds on Fiala to reach two points, an implied probability of less than 25%. You don’t have to be a math major to realize that oddsmakers are offering a solid wagering opportunity here.

It’s also worth noting that Fiala registered a goal and an assist in his team’s earlier meeting with the Blueshirts this season.

NHL pick: Yes (+310)

Joel Eriksson Ek to score at least one point

Betting on players to score because “they’re due” is usually not a winning theory, but oddsmakers are offering decent enough odds on Joel Eriksson Ek to break out of his current funk that it’s worth jumping aboard.

Eriksson Ek has 28 points through 49 games this year, but has inexplicably been held off the scoresheet in seven straight contests. It’s not due to lack of ice time, as he’s exceeded his season average in that department (18:37) in five of his last seven games. Eriksson Ek has not been trigger-shy either, accumulating 19 shots over this seven-game drought.

He truly is “due” to score a point again, and soon.

NHL pick: Yes (-117)