Best NHL Player Props & Parlay Picks Today Jan. 3

Written By Blaise Bourgeois | Published at January 3, 2026

Feb 1, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers defenseman Adam Boqvist (34) clears the puck as Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (9) closes in during the second period at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images — NHL: Chicago Blackhawks at Florida Panthers, Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

Of course, the 2026 NHL Winter Classic in Miami stole the headlines last night, with the New York Rangers defeating the Florida Panthers 5-1, largely in part to Mika Zibanejad's three-goal, five-point performance.

Today's hockey action features a whopping 13 games on the docket, and we're extremely excited for a Saturday full of fantastic puck.

There's a ton of value to be had at our favorite betting sites. Take advantage of all the latest sportsbook promos to maximize your winnings tonight. Check out the latest NHL odds and get in the action.

Without further ado, here are our top NHL player props, anytime goal scorer picks, and a juicy parlay for this game.

NHL Anytime Goal Scorer Picks

Nathan MacKinnon Anytime Goal Scorer (-103)

🏒 Odds via Caesars Sportsbook 🥅

The Colorado Avalanche -1.5 - Nathan MacKinnon Anytime Goal Scorer two-team parlay has been the best bet in sports for some time. While Colorado have a real test against the Carolina Hurricanes tonight, getting this two-teamer at +290 is a total no-brainer.

34 goals and 36 assists in 39 games is virtually a Mario Lemieux-like pace. There's no reason he'll stop being great against, arguably, the best team in the Eastern Conference in this potential Stanley Cup Finals preview.

Brock Nelson Anytime Goal Scorer (+230)

🏒 Odds via FanDuel 🥅

Whether it's checking, scoring, faceoffs, or penalty killing, Brock Nelson can do it all and has earned his place with Team USA at the upcoming Olympics. Nelson's recent run of seven goals in 11 games solidified his place in Milano Cortina, and he'll be amped to prove to everyone why he was selected.

Quinton Byfield Anytime Goal Scorer (+285)

🏒 Odds via DraftKings 🥅

We love the Los Angeles Kings to beat the Minnesota Wild, and they haven't had a consistent goal scorer in recent weeks. Whenever that's the case, there's a lot of value to be had from picking players a little down the line.

Quinton Byfield fits the bill for us tonight. Byfield is fifth on the team in shots on goal, though he's had a difficult time hitting the back of the net. Why not tonight?

NHL Player Props

Alex DeBrincat Over 2.5 Shots on Goal (-173)

🏒 Odds via Caesars Sportsbook 🥅

A month ago, we were talking about how DeBrincat's 4+ Shots on Goal bet was one of the best bets on the market. He's only hit that mark once in his last six games, but it's not like he's necessarily slumping either, having hit his 3+ Shots on Goal bet in nine of his last 12 games.

We absolutely love DeBrincat to smash this over against the Pittsburgh Penguins tonight, especially after getting the bad news that he missed the Olympic squad.

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Jake DeBrusk 3+ Shots on Goal (+116)

🏒 Odds via FanDuel 🥅

His shots on goal numbers are way up this season, and he has hit 3+ in six of his last ten games, getting at least two in eight games in that same span.

DeBrusk gets a matchup against the Boston Bruins, a team that has allowed the fourth-most shots on goal this season. Bank on him going over.

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Tage Thompson 1+ Points (-175)

🏒 Odds via DraftKings 🥅

Are the Sabres actually good now? While there was plenty of doubt about their recent winning streak, that doubt has been fully quashed after their winning streak reached 10 games with an emphatic win over the Dallas Stars.

Thompson has been right in the middle of their winning run, contributing 14 points in that span, including a pair of goals and an assist against Dallas last time out. Tonight, they get the Columbus Blue Jackets, who are dead last in the East.