Best NHL Prop Bets and Anytime Goal Scorer Picks Today (Bet on Brad Marchand, Adam Fox, Kiefer Sherwood)

Breaking down the best NHL bets on the ice for the four-game slate on Friday, January 2.

Adam Fox returned from injury with a two-point game on Wednesday. / Blake Dahlin-Imagn Images

The NHL opens the first weekend of 2026 with a modest four-game slate headlined by the Winter Classic between the New York Rangers and Florida Panthers.

My best NHL prop bets for Friday night are targeting Brad Marchand, Adam Fox, and Kiefer Sherwood.

Let’s get right into my favorite NHL player props and anytime goalscorer picks – and their odds at the best betting sites – for Friday, Jan. 2.

Best NHL Prop Bets for Friday, Jan. 2

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook

• Brad Marchand Anytime Goalscorer (+165) vs. Rangers
• Adam Fox OVER 0.5 Assists (+100) at Panthers
• Kiefer Sherwood OVER 2.5 Shots on Goal (+140) vs. Kraken

Brad Marchand Anytime Goalscorer (+165) vs. Rangers

One year ago, it was crazy to think of Brad Marchand as anything but a Boston Bruin. However, he’s become a prototypical Panthers player and one of their leaders with Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk out.

Marchand leads the way for the Panthers with 45 goals and 23 assists through 38 games. It’s been a mighty impressive season so far for the veteran at 37 years old.

Marchand comes into the Winter Classic riding a three-game goal streak and a nine-game point streak (seven goals, seven assists). While he’s a strong play to record a point at -210, I’ll take these plus odds for him to find twine outdoors.

Adam Fox OVER 0.5 Assists (+100) at Panthers

Adam Fox returned from a month-long absence on New Year’s Eve and picked up right where he left off. The Rangers defenseman extended his point streak to seven games with a goal and an assist in New York’s 6-3 loss to the Capitals.

Fox was left off the Team USA roster for the 2026 Olympics, which was quite the curious decision. While NHL players shouldn’t need extra motivation to play their best, that’s certainly a chip on Fox’s shoulder for the near future – and potentially beyond.

The blueliner now has 28 points in 28 games this season, and 24 of those have come via the assist. You can play it safe with the point at -130, but the 30 cents is enough for me to take him to get a helper instead.

Kiefer Sherwood OVER 2.5 Shots on Goal (+140) vs. Kraken

Kiefer Sherwood has been shooting the puck a ton over the last few weeks. The Canucks forward has at least three shots on goal in four straight games and six of his last seven, including 5, 4, and 5 in his last three contests. Those four shots on goal game against the Kraken, who he had 3+ SOG against in two of three meetings in 2025.

The Canucks will be without two forwards in Conor Garland and Marco Rossi, for at least a week, opening the door for more opportunities for guys like Sherwood.

I’m a bit surprised to see this at such a nice price considering Sherwood’s recent stretch of play. I’d ladder this up to 4+ SOG (+350) and 5+ SOG (+850) as well.

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Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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