NHL prop picks Oct. 20: Bet on Flames' Andersson to score a point

NHL bettors are staring down the third two-game slate since Sunday with only two contests on Friday.

The pregame narrative: Rasmus Andersson is having a nice campaign to date and is a good pick to notch a point against a weak defensive team in the Blue Jackets. Secondly, fading offence seems like the right play between the New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders, and we're going under on Timo Meier's points prop.

Find all our best NHL props picks for October 20 below.

NHL oddsas of 9:02 a.m. ET on 10/20/2023.

NHL prop picks

Best Bet: Andersson to score 1+ points (-118)

Columbus continues to be one of the worst defensive teams in the NHL, and that'll give Andersson plenty of opportunities to produce.

The Blue Jackets rank 24th in goals against per game (3.67) and the issue isn't goaltending. They place a middling 17th in team save percentage (.897) but are tied for 27th in shots against (35.7) and 29th in high-danger chances against per 60 (14.67), according to Natural Stat Trick.

Special teams haven't been a strong suit, either, particularly the penalty kill. Columbus places 21st on the PK (72.7%) and has allowed three power play goals in its last two games.

This is where Andersson comes into play. He quarterbacks Calgary's top power play and is third on the team in total PP ice time (18:22).

He's not just logging minutes on the power play — he's the Flames' most involved player overall. Andersson also paces the team in average time on ice (23:18) through four games.

Key stat: Andersson has a point in three of four games this season.

Quick pick

Meier to not score 1+ point (-127): Meier didn't prove to be a difference-maker in the playoffs for New Jersey and he isn't off to a strong start this season.

He has zero points through three games and only has five shots on goal. He doesn't skate with the top power play and he's actually 11th on the team in average time on ice (15:19).

The Islanders have been a stingy group defensively, only allowing two goals through two games.