It is another busy schedule in the NHL on Monday, with nine games on the schedule. Among the teams in action are two division leaders—the Carolina Hurricanes and the St. Louis Blues
Dallas Stars ML over Florida Panthers (+100)
Defensively, Dallas has managed to hold their opponents to only 2.67 goals per game, the tenth best in the league, while the Panthers are allowing 2.88. They’ve also done a better job limiting the other team’s shots, only allowing 27.4 per game, fifth best. Offensively, the Stars have the second best powerplay, operating at 33.3%. This could be lethal against a Florida team that is killing penalties at only a 79.2% pace, below the league’s average. Dallas has had the rest, they’re desperate for a win, and they have surprisingly good numbers; take them on the money line here.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for Dallas Stars vs. Florida Panthers.
Carolina Hurricanes ML over Tampa Bay Lighting (+106)
Part of Carolina’s success is due to their very deep roster that has eight different players with at least ten points on the year. Sebastion Aho, Andrei Svechnikov and Vincent Trochek lead the way with 16 points each. With Tampa Bay as the most likely team to catch Carolina in the Central division, it appears the Hurricanes have made it a point to really focus on picking up points vs the Lightning this year. Look to Carolina to edge out a close win and give Tampa Bay their fourth loss in their last five games.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for Tampa Bay Lighting vs. Carolina Hurricanes.
St. Louis Blues ML over Los Angeles Kings (-175)
These two teams have already met twice this season and the series is split 1-1 right now. However, the Kings’ win came when the Blues had their backup goalie, Ville Husso in the net. With Jordan Binnington expected to get the start, St. Louis likely has the edge. He currently has an 8-4-2 record with a 2.53 GAA and .913 SVP and beat the Kings head to head earlier this season, stopping 21 of 23 shots.
The Blues have averaged more goals per game, and more shots on goal compared to the Kings. Additionally, St. Louis has the ninth best faceoff percentage in the entire league. If they’re able to control the majority of possession, they should be able to win this game.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for Los Angeles Kings vs. St. Louis Blues.
Vegas Golden Knights +1.5 over Colorado Avalanche (-220)
Colorado has won the last two head to head games, so the Knights will need to find a way to win on the road to even the series. Home ice may be enough of an advantage for the Avalanche to lock up the series. It has been a hard fought series by both clubs, with the winner of each game winning by a one goal margin in all three games. With so little separating these two teams the extra goal advantage for the Knights on the puck line seems like a great value bet. Look for Vegas to either win this game or lose by one for the 11th straight time.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for Vegas Golden Knights vs. Colorado Avalanche.
Arizona Coyotes ML over Anaheim Ducks (-159)
The Arizona Coyotes have proven to everyone that they are legitimate playoff contenders this season, when they beat the St. Louis Blues in their regular season best-of-seven series. A big part of their early season success, has been due to the play of goaltender Darcy Kuemper. He has been solid this season, posting a 2.28 GAA and .917 SVP. If the Coyotes can start to score a few more goals, they should be able to win a few more games with this solid goaltending they are getting. The line consisting of Clayton Keller, Nick Schmaltz and Conor Garland, has been doing most of the damage offensively for the Coyotes. They have combined for 14 points over the last six games. The Coyotes defensive game should be able to shut down the weak Ducks offense, they just need to score some goals.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for Anaheim Ducks vs. Arizona Coyotes.
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