3 NHL Favorites to Bet on Monday Night
The NHL regular season is winding down, and the final push for the playoffs is underway. With points at even more of a premium because of the diminished schedule, every game matters that much more.
Monday’s NHL action features a robust eight-game slate, with plenty of options to sate your betting appetite. Here, we’ve isolated three betting favorites you should target when putting together your betting slip.
Vancouver Canucks (-112) at Ottawa Senators
The third matchup in a four-game stretch between these two clubs, Monday’s game between Vancouver and Ottawa has already seen a noticeable shift in betting odds ahead of publication. The Canucks opened at -125 with the Senators at +105 but has shifted to Vancouver -112 at Ottawa -109.
This line movement is only of benefit to those taking the Canucks to win. Vancouver has won five of the previous six regular-season matchups against Ottawa this season. Since returning from their COVID-19 postponements, the Canucks have won three out of four, shaking off a 3-0 home shutout loss against the Senators to respond with a 4-2 win Saturday.
The Canucks are still fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive. They are eight points out of a playoff spot, but with five games in hand, Vancouver is within striking distance. With a win Monday, the Canucks should gain ground on the Calgary Flames and Montreal Canadiens, who are also in action against each other on Monday.
Vancouver has a very favorable matchup in net. Thatcher Demko (12-13-1, 2.74 GAA, .917 save percentage, one shutout) is expected between the pipes for the Canucks. However, the Ottawa goaltending situation is much murkier.
Matt Murray left Saturday’s contest with a lower-body injury. With his status up in the air, there’s a good chance Ottawa rolls with Magnus Högberg in goal. This season, Högberg has a 2-7-0 record, an atrocious 4.14 GAA, and a depressing .869 save percentage.
Trust the Canucks to take advantage of a banged-up and inexperienced Senators squad and walk away winners on Monday.
Carolina Hurricanes (-120) at Dallas Stars
The Hurricanes are one of the most complete teams in the league. They hold a one-point lead in the Central Division standings with two games in hand on the Florida Panthers and one game on the Tampa Bay Lightning.
With a win, overtime loss, or shootout loss Monday, Carolina can clinch a playoff spot for the third straight season. They’ve got a favorable matchup against the Stars Monday night and should be able to get that point.
Carolina has a few players listed as day-to-day on the injury report, including goaltender Petr Mrazek, forwards Jesper Fast, Jordan Martinook, Brock McGinn, and Teuvo Teravainen, and defenseman Brady Skjei. While that looks like a long list of injuries, and it is, the Hurricanes have the depth to compensate. However, you should keep an eye on the injury report ahead of puck drop for the latest on their statuses. Several of them should be good to go.
It will likely be a battle of rookie goaltenders, with Alex Nedeljkovic in net for the Canes and Jake Oettinger starting for Dallas. While both goalies have played well this season and rank in the top three among rookie netminders in save percentage, Nedeljkovic (12-4-3, 1.98 GAA, .930 save percentage, three shutouts) holds a clear edge over Oettinger (9-6-6, 2.16 GAA, .918 save percentage, one shutout).
Dallas is struggling through injuries of their own. Goaltender Ben Bishop and forward Alexander Radulov are done for the season (Bishop did not play at all in 2021). Tyler Seguin will not play Monday, but he is getting close to making his season debut and should rejoin the team later this week. Joel Kiviranta and John Klingberg are also not expected to play.
Bank on the Hurricanes to overtake the Stars and clinch their playoff berth Monday.
Arizona Coyotes (-115) at San Jose Sharks
Another road team battling to keep its playoff hopes alive, the Arizona Coyotes hold a one-point lead over the St. Louis Blues in the standings. St. Louis has played three fewer games than Arizona, so if the Coyotes want to make it to the playoffs, a win on Monday is crucial.
In 2021, Arizona has won three of its four matchups against the Sharks, and the loss came in the shootout. They’ve outscored San Jose 17-9 over those four contests, most recently a 4-0 shutout on March 27.
The Sharks’ season has gone belly-up. San Jose has lost eight straight games and is showing no signs of life, losing by three goals in three of their last four contests. Even worse, San Jose scores the sixth-fewest goals per game (2.55) while allowing the fifth most (3.40).
Expect a hungry Coyotes team to feast on the Sharks Monday night in San Jose.
Derek Hudson
Derek is a long time sports bettor who grew up in Providence, RI. Derek is data driven and believes the key to betting the sportsbooks is finding an edge in analytics. Derek is happily married and has two young boys. Derek will bet on anything if you let him.
