Underdog Fantasy NHL Picks December 4th: Jared McCann takes on the Montreal Canadiens
Welcome into NHL player projections central for the season on Underdog Fantasy! Player projections 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 today's slate, we have 14 games on tap around the NHL and plenty of options for player props! I have highlighted a trio of plays that I will be following tonight that includes 3 players around the league for the Boston Bruins, Anaheim Ducks and Florida Panthers! Good luck to everyone on the plays tonight, let's win some cheddar!
NHL Underdog Fantasy Top Picks December 4
Jack Eichel, Vegas Golden Knights - HIGHER than 3.5 Shots On Goal
Eichel has been up and down when its come to shots on goal this season but when the matchup is right he gets after it! Eichel to his credit as gone higher than 3.5 goals in 60% of games this season and is averaging 4.1 shots per game, I've just been burned but I am ready to forgive him. The St. Louis Blues allow 32.52 shots on goal this season, the 6th most in NHL and they've been slumping overall. Seems like a great spot for Eichel and the Golden Knights this evening.
Jared McCann, Seattle Kraken - HIGHER than 3.0 Shots on Goal
The line is 3.5 on most sportsbooks today but over at Underdog Fantasy you can get McCann to go higher than an even 3 shots which gives a nice safe floor in my opinion. McCann is the best forward the Kraken have and it means he's on the ice all the time, over 20 minutes per game on occasion. He has averaged exactly 3 shots per game this season but has 13 over his last 3 games and the Montreal Canadiens allow 34.17 shots per game the 3rd most in the NHL, he's going take this play higher!
BONUS - Connor McMichael, Washington Capitals - HIGHER than 1.5 Shots on Goal
Player News
Taylor Ward went 2-for-5 with a home run, two RBI, and three runs scored in the Angels’ 7-6 win over the Dodgers on Tuesday.
Ward put the Angels on the board with a base hit in the first inning to drive in a run. He then took Emmet Sheehan deep for a solo homer in the third. Ward started the bottom of the tenth inning as the runner on second and scored the game-winning run on a base hit by Jo Adell. The 31-year-old outfielder has hit 28 homers while driving in 89 RBI, hitting .234/.314/.489 across 509 plate appearances.
Shohei Ohtani went 1-for-3 with a home run, two runs scored, and two walks against the Angels on Tuesday.
Ohtani drew a walk and scored a run in the first inning and walked again in the second. He later came up in a big spot for the Dodgers. With the game tied in the top of the ninth, the took Kenley Jansen deep for a solo homer to give the Dodgers the lead. The 31-year-old star is up to 43 homers, 114 runs scored, 79 RBI, and 17 steals while slashing .284/.391/.629 across 546 plate appearances.
Dalton Rushing went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer against the Angels on Tuesday.
Rushing took Victor Mederos deep for a two-run homer in the second inning for his second home run of the season. He added a base hit in the sixth before Will Smith pinch hit for him in the eighth. The 24-year-old backstop is playing once every three games, hitting .202/.269/.298 with 15 RBI across 104 plate appearances.
Victor Mederos allowed three runs with three strikeouts over four innings in a no-decision against the Dodgers on Tuesday.
Mederos drew a tough matchup against the Dodgers for his first career start. He issued a walk and hit a batter before Teoscar Hernández singled in a run. Dalton Rushing then took him deep for a two-run homer in the second inning. Mederos would give the Angels two more scoreless innings before ending his day after four frames with three strikeouts. The 24-year-old right-hander lines up for a start against the Reds in Anaheim on Monday.
Emmet Sheehan allowed five runs with six strikeouts over five innings in a no-decision against the Angels on Tuesday.
The Angels got to Sheehan in the first inning, bringing three runs in to score on a walk and three hits. Taylor Ward added a run in the third with a solo homer off Sheehan. A walk and a double would bring home a fifth runs before Sheehan’s day was done after five frames. He struck out six. The 25-year-old right-hander will take a 3.86 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and a 37/13 K/BB ratio across 35 innings into a start against the Rockies in Colorado next Tuesday.
Jackson Merrill went 2-for-4 with a solo homer in San Diego’s 5-1 win over the Giants on Tuesday.
Merrill doubled in the sixth inning, then took Carson Seymour deep for a solo homer in the eighth to extend the Padres’ lead. It was just the second home run in the second half for the 22-year-old outfielder. He’s up to nine on the season while slashing .263/.322/.419 across 371 plate appearances.