Betting the GIFT (Goal In First Ten) is simple. Pick whether or not a game will have a goal scored in the first 10 minutes of play (00:00-09:59). It's that easy and all you have to do is root for anyone to score and you win. It is an area of hockey betting with a high success rate league-wide, with over 87% of the league currently cashing at 50% or better this season. By the end of the season, that number should be even closer to 90% meaning there is still plenty of money left to be made from GIFTs this season.
Anytime Goal Scorer props are even easier. Pick a player to score and if they light the lamp at any point, you win!
Last night we cashed a Warren Foegele ATG to the tune of a +330 return!
My published picks are 58-35 (.624) since Nov. 23, including a stellar 27-5 (.844) record cashing GIFTs and a 31-31 (.500) record on ATGs. Let’s roll!
For additional prop bets check out our brand new daily NHL Prop Bet Cheat Sheet. Additionally, I will post my favorite bets in the BettingPros Discord, which is free to join and filled with info from some of the sharpest analysts in the field, including myself.
Saturday’s Best GIFT & Anytime Goal Scorer Prop Bets
2024-25 Record: 96-88-1 | GIFT Record: 43-19 | ATG Record: 53-71-1 | Last: 2-1 | Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
Detroit Red Wings at Columbus Blue Jackets
The Red Wings are expected to send out Cam Talbot to guard the crease. The 37-year-old Canadian comes in at 17-12-3, carrying a 2.89 GAA and a .905 Save% this season. Detroit is 40-19 (.678) cashing the GIFT this season, including a 19-8 record (.704) away from Little Caesars Arena. The Wings have covered the GIFT in four of their last five games and seven of their last 10 overall. This includes five straight on the road dating back to January 30.
On the opposite end of the ice, Columbus will likely roll out Elvis Merzlikins to defend the net. The 30-year-old Latvian is 21-14-4, carrying a 2.96 GAA and an .895 Save% this season. The Blue Jackets are 34-25 (.576) cashing the GIFT this season with an 18-11 record (.621) on the friendly Nationwide Arena ice. The Jackets have cashed the GIFT in four of their last five games and seven of their last 10 overall.
Full disclosure: This game is part of the Stadium Series and will be played at Ohio Stadium on the campus of The Ohio State University.
These teams’ combined 74-44 record (.672) cashing the GIFT this season and this includes a 37-19 (.661) in these home/road conditions should mean electricity early in Arch City. (Look it up)
Pick: Goal In First Ten (-166)
Anytime Goal Scorer Picks
Alex Ovechkin (+110) – 7G in L8, 4G in L3 at home, 6G in L6 at home, 8-of-L13 G (.615) at home, 30G (leads WAS), 883G (2nd all-time)
Alex DeBrincat (+170) – 6G in L7, G+ in L2 & 3-of-L4 vs. CBJ, G vs. CBJ on Feb. 27
“Double Alex” ATG Parlay Odds: +467
Luke Monaldo is a featured writer at BettingPros. Follow him on Twitter @MoKnowsSports and Discord @alydar1227 AKA The GIFTing Crooner. For more from Luke, check out his archive.
