Avalanche vs. Predators: The best player prop bets for Dec. 16

Cale Makar (8) of the Colorado Avalanche during the first period of an NHL game between the Colorado Avalanche and the Montreal Canadiens. (Photo by Vincent Ethier/Icon Sportswire)

Taylor Ginnetti

December 16th, 2021

Two Central Division teams carrying five game-win streaks will face-off Thursday night as the Colorado Avalanche (17-7-2) visit the Nashville Predators (17-10-1).

The Avalanche blasted the Predators 6-2 in the first game of their season series on Nov. 27, and Nashville will be looking to defend home ice and even things up tonight.

Puck drop is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET, and we have the three best player prop bets below.

NATHAN MACKINNON: TO SCORE AT LEAST 2 POINTS

The Avalanche have been getting contributions from nearly everyone on their roster lately, and are now averaging a league-best 4.31 goals scored per game. Colorado captain Nathan MacKinnon has been especially hot, and is coming off back-to-back multi-point games. He has seven points (2G, 5A) in his last five outings.

With a total of six multi-point games in 16 games played, the dynamic Lady Byng winner is poised to deliver another big game tonight.

PICK: Yes (+110)

GOAL SCORER: CALE MAKAR

Providing the offense from the blue line for Colorado is young phenom Cale Makar. With three goals in his last five games - including a power-play snipe last game against the New York Rangers - Makar now has 13 goals on the season. That total leads all defenseman in the NHL.

Cale Makar (@Cmakar8) scores goal number 13 on the season — a new career high. 👏

He's our @PPG Colorful Moment of the night! pic.twitter.com/lBlIldGNNe
— NHL (@NHL) December 15, 2021

The 23 year-old Calder winner continues to impress hockey fans with his elite skating and playmaking skills, and has compiled 26 points in 23 games this season. Makar should be on your radar to score again this evening, and the TwinSpires Sports team agrees. They've included him in their Super Odds selections, boosting Makar from +245 to +270 to score anytime.

PICK: MAKAR ANYTIME GOAL (+270 SUPER ODDS BOOST)

ROMAN JOSI: TO SCORE AT LEAST 1 POINT

Nashville captain Roman Josi is another savvy defenseman who also leads his team in points. With seven points (2G, 5A) in his last five games, the Swiss sensation has been averaging nearly a point per game this season.

Roman Josi (1-1—2) notched his 110th career multi-point game and tied Martin Erat (110 GP) for the second most in @PredsNHL history. Only one player has more: David Legwand (120 GP).#NHLStats: https://t.co/OMwNJ8EbN4 pic.twitter.com/IjbNEfSAEk
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) December 11, 2021

The 2020 Norris winner should again be included in the conversation for the league's top defenseman this year along with Makar. It will be a treat to watch both stars go head-to-head tonight, with Josi a strong bet to get on the scoresheet.