Underdog Fantasy NHL Picks December 30th: Jesper Bratt battles the Bruins
Player props have become one of the most exciting aspects of fantasy sports. Underdog Fantasy offers as many as six different props on some players which can make it difficult to find the best value.
For tonight's NHL slate we have seven games on tap, which means plenty of options for player props. There are many different ways to approach props but I have selected a few of my favorites from the New Jersey Devils and St. Louis Blues. Be sure to check out our NHL Tools when locking in your picks on Underdog Fantasy!
NHL Underdog Fantasy Top Picks December 30
Jesper Bratt, New Jersey Devils - HIGHER than 2.5 Shots
Jesper Bratt is having a great season with 42 points through 34 games. He skates on the top line and power-play alongside Jack Hughes, making him a constant threat to score. The Bruins are a solid defensive team but they surprisingly also allow the 7th most shots per game at 32.2. Bratt has gone higher than 2.5 shots in seven of his last ten games and should find plenty of chances in this game.
Pavel Buchnevich, St. Louis Blues - HIGHER than 2.5 Shots
Pavel Buchnevich skates on the top line and power-play unit for St. Louis and has been pretty productive despite being on a team ranked 23rd in scoring. He has gone over the 2.5 shot mark 10 times in his last 12 games and I don’t expect the Penguins to slow him down. Pittsburgh allows 30.7 shots per game and DraftKings has his over 2.5 shots set at -115.
Player News
Dolphins signed No. 13 overall pick DT Kenneth Grant to a four-year contract.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Grant will sign his contract today. The former Michigan defensive tackle is expected to fill a major void left by Christian Wilkins, who left for the Raiders in the 2024 offseason. Grant totaled 32 tackles, three sacks, and seven TFLs in his final season at Michigan and excelled at stopping the run while also generating 27 pressures in his final season, per PFF.
Daulton Varsho picked up three hits, three RBI and a homer in a win over the Angels on Thursday.
Varsho has only played in seven games this year, but they’ve been seven good ones. He’s homered three times already, and his slugging percentage is a remarkable — and entirely unsustainable — .727 over 22 at-bats. Varsho has been a mediocre offensive player in his two seasons with the Blue Jays, but it’s possible at the age of 28 he’s having a breakout campaign. Far from a guarantee, but possible.
Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer in a loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday.
Ward, 31, gave the Angels a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer off Chris Bassitt in the first inning. He’s now gone deep in two of his last three games, and it ‘improves’ his slash to .181/.224/.391. Ward has been one of the most hot/cold players players in the sport over the last few years, so fantasy managers who can afford to make some roster moves may want to look at Ward while the going is good.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. picked up three hits and scored twice in an 8-5 win over the Angels on Thursday.
Guerrero also drew a walk. It gives the first baseman multiple hits in back-to-back games, and it’s the third time in May that he’s reached that mark. That’s helped raise his average from .268 to .295, and the only thing fantasy managers can be disappointed with is his .432 slugging percentage. That number should continue to climb as the season unfolds, but Vladdy Jr. has had some inconsistent seasons when it comes to power production.
Chad Green picked up his first save of 2025 with a scoreless ninth against the Angels on Thursday.
Green got the save after Jeff Hoffman worked in back-to-back games — and struggled — in the first two contests against the Angels. He struck out two and looked the part while needing just nine pitches to get through the inning. Hoffman should remain the closer, but Green is on his tail if the struggles were to continue.
Chris Bassitt allowed five runs — four earned — while working six-plus innings against the Angels on Thursday while picking up a win.
Bassitt allowed three runs over the first two innings on a pair of homers, but settled down over his next four frames. He came out to work the seventh, but ended up being charged for two more runs after leaving the contest. The 36-year-old veteran has forged a 3.35 ERA and outstanding 49/8 K/BB ratio over the first quarter of the season, but this wasn’t him at his best. He’ll get the Rays next week if the rotation order stays the same for Toronto.