Flames vs. Lightning: The best player prop bets for Jan. 6

The Calgary Flames will look to improve on their 2-1 start to a five-game road trip as they make a stop at Amalie Arena to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning this Thursday night.

The back-to-back Stanley Cup champions have played unevenly since exiting the NHL’s COVID pause, sandwiching three losses – two by four goals or more – with a pair of victories. That includes Tampa’s 7-2 shellacking of the Columbus Blue Jackets when last seen on Tuesday.

Let’s dive into the player props market and highlight our three favorite wagers.

Calgary Flames (17-8-6) at Tampa Bay Lightning (22-8-5), 7:00 p.m. ET

Andrew Mangiapane to score a point

Andrew Mangiapane is on quite a cold streak, and bettors should expect that to continue against the Lightning this Thursday night.

Mangiapane has just three assists on the season, so he's unlikely to tally a helper in this one. The Flames left winger also has just one goal in his last six games, and only three in his last 12 contests. In nine of those 12 games, he has two or fewer shots on goal.

Former Vezina Trophy winner Andrei Vasilevskiy is in line for another start for the Lightning, so expect Mangiapane to have a difficult time finding the twine here.

NHL pick: No (-129)

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Johnny Gaudreau to score a goal

Mangiapane’s regression for Calgary has coincided with a rise in the level of play from fellow left winger Johnny Gaudreau.

The ninth-year veteran has scored in three consecutive games, peppering opposing netminders with 13 shots in that span.

Gaudreau now has 10 goals over 20 road games this season, compared to four goals over 11 tilts at home. As long as he continues to stay busy at the offensive end, he should find a way to score in this one at a nice price.

NHL pick: Gaudreau anytime goal (+230)

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Steven Stamkos to score a goal

Steven Stamkos is Tampa’s lead points-earner (40) and goal-scorer (16) this season, carrying the weight admirably in the absence of Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov. Point has been back for a few games, and Kucherov is reportedly ready to go on Thursday night, which makes Stamkos even more dangerous as teams can no longer key on him.

Keep an eye on Stamkos’ price to score a goal and look for any fluctuations due to Kucherov’s return – there may be value in waiting the oddsmakers out.

NHL pick: Stamkos anytime goal (+138)