NHL props: Teams to consider targeting early in the season

The NHL season is underway. As we prep for the year, it's important to take stock of which teams were the best to target for player props. Example: Arizona allowed the most shots to defensemen, so when Colorado played them, Cale Makar was a terrific bet to go over his shots on goal (SOG) prop.

What you'll find here is a consolidation of the most generous teams towards props from last season, along with the best early season targets for this fresh year. Some teams that were vulnerable last year, such as Detroit, made a number of additions that could remedy their weaknesses, from new forwards to a new goalie.

At the end of this piece you can find six teams that look primed to repeat as good targets for shots, goals and/or points props.

2021-22 Most Generous Teams for Shots, Goals and Points

Most Shots Allowed Per Game Last Season

1. Arizona Coyotes: 35.49
2. Columbus Blue Jackets: 35.21
3. Montreal Canadiens: 34.43
4. Philadelphia Flyers: 33.96
5. Detroit Red Wings: 33.67
6. Ottawa Senators: 33.41
7. Anaheim Ducks: 33.23
8. Winnipeg Jets: 33.18
9. Chicago Blackhawks: 32.96
10. Buffalo Sabres: 32.95

Most Goals Allowed Per Game Last Season

1. Montreal Canadiens: 3.87
2. Detroit Red Wings: 3.78
3. Arizona Coyotes: 3.77
4. New Jersey Devils: 3.68
5. Columbus Blue Jackets: 3.62
6. Philadelphia Flyers: 3.59
7. Chicago Blackhawks: 3.52
8. Buffalo Sabres: 3.50
9. Seattle Kraken: 3.46
10. Anaheim Ducks: 3.24

Most Shots Allowed by Centers Per Game Last Season

1. Montreal Canadiens: 11.55
2. Arizona Coyotes: 11.33
3. Detroit Red Wings: 11.13
4. Chicago Blackhawks: 11.05
5. Columbus Blue Jackets: 10.90
6. Winnipeg Jets: 10.84
7. New York Rangers: 10.82
8. Vancouver Canucks: 10.79
9. Anaheim Ducks: 10.74
10. Edmonton Oilers: 10.73

Most Points Allowed by Centers Per Game Last Season

1. Arizona Coyotes: 3.83
2. Detroit Red Wings: 3.73
3. Montreal Canadiens: 3.66
4. Seattle Kraken: 3.45
5. Columbus Blue Jackets: 3.43
6. Buffalo Sabres: 3.41
7. Chicago Blackhawks: 3.37
8. Anaheim Ducks: 3.26
9. Philadelphia Flyers: 3.13
10. Ottawa Senators: 3.06

Most Shots Allowed by Defensemen Per Game Last Season

1. Arizona Coyotes: 11.28
2. Columbus Blue Jackets: 10.54
3. Ottawa Senators: 9.85
4. New Jersey Devils: 9.78
5. New York Islanders: 9.71
6. St. Louis Blues: 9.60
7. Philadelphia Flyers: 9.56
8. Detroit Red Wings: 9.50
9. Buffalo Sabres: 9.50
10. Winnipeg Jets: 9.48

Most Points Allowed by Defensemen Per Game Last Season

1. Detroit Red Wings: 2.73
2. Philadelphia Flyers: 2.66
3. New Jersey Devils: 2.60
4. Arizona Coyotes: 2.59
5. Ottawa Senators: 2.39
6. Montreal Canadiens: 2.38
7. Buffalo Sabres: 2.38
8. Chicago Blackhawks: 2.35
9. Seattle Kraken: 2.29
10. Dallas Stars: 2.28

Takeaways and Targets for 2022-23 Season

There are a few teams that made some big offseason moves that could aid their vulnerabilities from last season. In my opinion, of the repeat teams from above, there are six that could be tighter to shots and/or goals:

• Detroit
• Columbus
• Ottawa
• Anaheim
• New Jersey
• Montreal

Some of these teams added firepower to their forward line that should allow them to possess the puck more effectively, limiting opposing shots and scoring chances. Some teams added some new defensemen or goalies, and a few of these teams added a combination of all three.