NHL Best Bets Today, 11/30: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Saturday
We have another massive NHL slate with a ton of teams and players to look at for props! There's been a ton of scoring across the league which always makes things a bit easier from a prop perspective. Teams are pushing the pace on offense and it leads to plenty of shots and points all around.
NHL Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 11/30
Most of the teams in action today are on the second night of a back-to-back and while it's still early in the season, I always like to look for teams who have to travel after playing. It's a great slate of games, so let's jump in!
Buffalo Sabres vs. New York Islanders Prediction: Saturday, November, 30th
I wrote about Brock Nelson in the DFS Playbook today and I want to keep things rolling with the best bets. Nelson is averaging just over 3.0 shots on goal per game this season and was held without a shot on goal last night against the Washington Capitals.
It was also another blown lead for the Islanders and they need to do a bit more on the offensive end once they have the lead. This is where I'd like to see Nelson step up and play a larger role on offense compared to last night, which is clearly a departure from his normal level of production.
Over the last two weeks, the Sabres have allowed 28.11 Shots Per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the 13th-most in the league. Nelson has the second-most shots on the Islanders for a reason – he's a good shooter! Combine the fact he has a good matchup and was held to zero last night, I like this spot for him to pile up the shots.
- Expert Picks Sabres vs. Islanders
- Brock Nelson Over 2.5 Shots on Goal (-135 on FanDuel)
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction: Saturday, November 30th
While the headline news for this game is about Auston Matthews returning to the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup, I want to focus on one of the most consistent players in the league, Nikita Kucherov.
Kucherov has 82 shots on goal through 22 games – 3.7 per game – which is the highest on the Lightning and the ninth-most in the league this season. He's their number-one option on offense and puts that on display nightly, going over this 3.5 mark in six of his last 10 games.
If we look back to last season, Kucherov had the Leafs' number, racking up 17 shots on goal in four games. That should continue tonight as the Maple Leafs have allowed 64.13 Total Shot Attempts per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the third-worst in the league over the last two weeks.
Kucherov simply does his thing night in and night out, and when we have a chance to get a bit of plus money on his props, we should take it.
- Expert Picks Maple Leafs vs. Lightning
- Nikita Kucherov Over 3.5 Shots on Goal (+105 on DraftKings)
Best NHL Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 11/30
- Owen Tippett Over 2.5 Shots on Goal (-144 on FanDuel)
- Jack Eichel Over 1.5 Points (+126 on DraftKings)
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.