Thursday NHL Goal Scorer Props: Best Bets for Dec. 18

• Anytime goal scorer props are available for Thursday’s NHL slate
• The Wild and Stars both project for 3+ goals
• See my expert NHL goal scorer bets for December 18

Thursday night’s NHL action brings us some juicy matchups for anytime goal scorer props. We’ve got offensive powerhouses like the Wild and Stars facing teams with shaky defensive metrics, plus a few generational talents in prime spots to light the lamp.

My favorite plays tonight focus on power-play specialists and volume shooters going up against vulnerable penalty kills. When you’ve got guys firing double-digit shots against goalies posting sub-.910 save percentages, that’s where the value lives.

Below, you’ll find my three best plays for Thursday’s slate, headlined by Minnesota’s Kirill Kaprizov at plus-money against Columbus, and the breakdown on why each one makes sense.

Best NHL Goal Scorer Picks (December 18)

The odds listed are the best available prices as of December 18. Check out SBD’s NHL player props page for live odds on tonight’s games.

Kirill Kaprizov Anytime Goal (+110)

Kaprizov’s sitting in a dream spot against the Blue Jackets. The Russian star has 21 goals already this season, but what really jumps out is his power-play production. He has 8 PPG (fourth in the NHL) and 39 shots with the man advantage, second-most in the league.

He’s putting up serious volume too, with 113 total shots, ninth overall. When you’re firing that many pucks against a goalie like Jet Greaves (.906 sv%), the math usually works out in your favor.

Columbus has given up 16 goals in their last four games, and Greaves has been getting lit up lately, allowing 11 goals in his last four starts. Minnesota has won five straight and scored 23 goals during that stretch. Their power play is clicking at 23.1%, and against Columbus’s struggling penalty kill, Kaprizov should get multiple chances with the extra attacker.

At plus-money for a guy with this kind of shot volume against a team bleeding goals? I’ll take that all day.

Wyatt Johnston Anytime Goal (+155)

Johnston leads the entire NHL with 12 power-play goals. The guy is an absolute weapon when Dallas gets the man advantage, and tonight he’s facing a Sharks team with a 78.6% penalty kill that ranks dead last in shots against per game.

His 17 total goals might not blow you away, but it’s all about role here. He’s the primary trigger man on a Dallas power play that’s converting at 31.43%, best in the NHL. The Stars are averaging 3.53 goals per game (second in the league), and they’ve won seven straight against San Jose.

The Sharks just gave up six goals to Calgary, and they’re allowing 3.29 per game overall. Johnston’s been hot too, with 5 goals and 9 assists over his last 10. At +155, you’re getting the league’s best power-play scorer against a bottom-tier penalty kill.

Sidney Crosby Anytime Goal (+180)

Finding Sid at these odds feels like a gift. The captain’s got 19 goals in 32 games, including 8 on the power play (tied for fourth league-wide), and he’s one point away from tying Mario Lemieux for most points in Penguins history. You think he’s motivated tonight?

Ottawa has the worst penalty kill in the NHL at 70.45%, giving up 26 power-play goals. Their goalie Linus Ullmark is running a .879 save percentage with a 3.00 GAA. Pittsburgh’s power play converts at 31.11%, so Crosby’s going to get looks.

The Senators have allowed 104 goals this season, and their team save percentage sits at .873. Even with Pittsburgh on a six-game losing streak, Crosby’s individual production hasn’t fallen off. When you’ve got a Hall of Famer chasing history against the league’s most vulnerable penalty kill, nearly 2-to-1 odds look way too generous.

Key Player Trends for Thursday’s Slate

We’d be remiss not to touch on key trends for your prop bets tonight.

Morgan Geekie has recorded a point in 11 of his last 12 games against opponents with a losing record. The guy’s averaging 1.5 points per game in these spots. When Boston faces sub-.500 teams, Geekie feasts.

Auston Matthews has recorded a point in 9 straight games against top 10 scoring defenses. Even against the league’s toughest defensive units, Matthews is putting up 1.3 points per game. When facing elite competition, he finds another gear.

Travis Konecny has recorded a point in 8 of his last 9 games. The Flyers forward is riding a serious heater, averaging 1.33 points per game during this run. Players on rolls like this tend to keep it going.

Jakob Chychrun has recorded a point in 10 of his last 11 games at home. The Capitals defenseman has been dominant on home ice with a 1.4 points-per-game average. Not your typical goalscorer target, but Chychrun’s offensive involvement makes him worth watching.

Zach Hyman has recorded a point in 6 of his last 7 games. Playing alongside McDavid pays off. Hyman’s averaged 1.3 points over this stretch. When you’re riding shotgun with the best player in the world, good things happen.