Underdog Fantasy NHL Picks October 13: Reilly Smith joins the Penguins and Capitals rivalry!
Welcome into NHL player prop central for the season on Underdog Fantasy! Player props are becoming one of the hottest growing things in hockey over the past few seasons and I have definitely taken notice as it adds yet another layer to a great game experience. Throughout this season you will find picks offered on the Underdog site that I find the most appealing as there are many to choose from so that's why I'm here to help you sift through the options.
For tonight's slate we have 2 games on tap around the NHL and plenty of options for player props! I have highlighted a pair that I will be following tonight that include two top tier players for the New Jersey Devils and Pittsburgh Penguins. We have very little new data to use but at least both of these players have strong track records from last season so let's lean on that and hit some props on Underdog tonight!
NHL Underdog Fantasy Top Picks October 13
Reilly Smith, Pittsburgh Penguins - HIGHER than 2.0 Shots On Goal
Reilly Smith is entering just his 2nd game as a Penguin this season but in game 1 he made his presence felt with 4 shots on goal and nearly 17 minutes of ice time. Tonight he gets his first taste of a decades long rivalry between the Penguins and Capitals in what figures to be a high scoring game at least that's what the books are predicting with a 6.5 game total line. Smith will play on the second line tonight with Evgeni Malkin and that is signficant because Geno has become a bit slower as he has aged and become a pass first player and that should set up Smith plenty. Smith also has a knack for shooting the puck to begin with overall as in the last 30 games he has gone over 2 shots on goal in 63% of his outings. The Capitals are a team on the downswing too so expect their defense to allow at least 30 shots on net tonight as the Penguins try to get in the win column on the young season.
Jack Hughes, New Jersey Devils - HIGHER than 4.0 Shots On Goal
Last season Jack Hughes became a household name in NHL circles with his massive season of 43 goals and 99 total points while leading the Devils into the playoffs. I expect much of the same this season if not more as the New Jersey powers that be did nothing but add more to this team around the young star. Hughes put up big games all of last season and this was thanks to his ability to put the puck on net as he averaged 4.2 shots on goal per game. Last night he started the season with 4 shots on goal and added 2 tucks to his resume and tonight against Arizona he should be in the mix plenty. The Coyotes allowed 35.05 shots on goal last season which was the 3rd highest mark in the NHL so the resistance will be minimal for the Devils and Hughes should get over this prop without major issues.
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.