NHL Free Bets: 3 NHL Favorites to Target on Monday Night
NHL Free Bets
Monday's NHL schedule features a juicy eight-game slate, so there are plenty of opportunities to get in on the betting action. Off the ice, Monday is also the NHL trade deadline, with deals needing to be in the trade queue by no later than 3 pm ET.
While the trade deadline does pose potential complications to the betting favorites, we've selected three games that should be deadline-proof. These are favorites you can take to the bank and count on to win on Monday.
Make sure to also check out our NHL Betting Futures page, where you can see a number of season bets including Stanely Cup Odds.
Detroit Red Wings at Carolina Hurricanes
While the Red Wings beat the Hurricanes in a shootout on Saturday and in three of their six overall meetings this season, Carolina is an overwhelming favorite for this game, listed at -335. However, the play here isn't to take Carolina on the moneyline but on the -1.5 puck line.
On Sunday, the Red Wings traded shut-down defenseman Jon Merrill to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick and prospect forward Hayden Verbeek. Merrill had no goals and five assists in 36 games this season, but he also was a plus-two for Detroit, the only defenseman on the team with a positive +/- rating.
Without Merrill on Detroit to shut down opposing forwards, opponents should have an even easier time scoring on the Red Wings than they already have this season. Detroit allows the sixth-most goals per game (3.21), so this number should go even higher.
Not only that, but goaltender Jonathan Bernier may be on the move as well. The 32-year-old netminder is 8-7-0 this season with a 3.03 GAA and a .913 save percentage. In the final year of his contract with a $3 million cap hit, Bernier could be dealt by Detroit to acquire draft capital.
Whether or not Bernier is moved, Carolina to win by at least two is the play here. Carolina is in a heated playoff race with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers, as those three teams are separated by just two points in the Central Division standings.
The Hurricanes need to win Monday to keep pace, and I expect them to roll after a disappointing effort Saturday. Take the Carolina Hurricanes on the puck line on Monday.
Arizona Coyotes at Colorado Avalanche
This is another game where betting the puck line is the better play to make. Despite recent goaltending issues behind starter Philipp Grubauer, the Avalanche are one of the most well-rounded teams in the league.
Colorado addressed its goaltending depth issues by acquiring Devan Dubnyk from the San Jose Sharks for defenseman Greg Pateryn and a fifth-round draft pick. The Avalanche hope Dubnyk will return to form from his Minnesota days when he led the Wild to multiple playoff appearances and was a three-time All-Star.
Arizona doesn't score the puck much to begin with, but it should struggle even more against the Avalanche. The Coyotes have lost five of their seven meetings against Colorado this year, and one of those wins came in the shootout.
Even worse, Arizona averages the lowest per-game shot total (26.5) in the league, and it ranks in the bottom half of the league in nearly every meaningful offensive stat category.
On the other hand, the Avalanche have been a powerhouse over the last month, going 14-1-2 in their last 17 games. They lead the league in goals per game (3.55) and have the eighth-best power play (23.3%) in the league.
Seven Avalanche skaters have at least 10 goals this season. Florida is the only other team with more than six (they also have seven such skaters).
Take the Avalanche on the puck line Monday.
Anaheim Ducks at San Jose Sharks
The NHL odds in this game are much closer than for either of the other two games, and for that reason, this is a game where you should take the moneyline instead of the puck line.
Anaheim played Colorado Sunday evening, so it will be entering this game on the second leg of a back-to-back. However, San Jose was off Sunday, so it will be fresher and ready to go.
Beyond that, Anaheim's offense is atrocious. The Ducks are ahead of Detroit by 0.01 goals per game. Otherwise, they'd be dead last (Anaheim 2.22 goals per game, Detroit 2.21).
On a per-game basis, Anaheim also generates the second-fewest shots per game, and it has the league's worst power play (11.2%).
While San Jose was seven points ahead of Anaheim heading into Sunday's action, the Sharks are ahead in nearly every category except goals against per game. The Ducks hold a slight advantage (Anaheim 3.20 goals against per game, San Jose 3.28), but their number has skyrocketed while John Gibson has been out injured.
With Gibson expected to start Sunday, either Ryan Miller or Anthony Stolarz will be between the pipes Monday. San Jose on the moneyline is the play to make here.
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.
