Ryan Hodges
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Monday brings a 3-game, inter-conference slate in the NHL with plenty of star power and plenty of questions. Can the Bruins continue rolling or will the Blues break out of their ugly slump? Is the Islanders’ recent success sustainable or will this new-look Flames team bounce back after going winless in their last 4 games? Are the Caps going to be able to hang with younger faster teams, or will they continue to trend downward in today’s NHL? There is plenty of intrigue on Monday night with a slate that will bring great action.
If you are looking to combine some picks from these games, check out these 3 parlay picks that have +1080 odds at DraftKings Sportsbook.
New York Islanders +1.5 and Under 6.5 (+145)
Boston Bruins -1.5 (+135)
Oilers vs Capitals Under 6.5 (+105)
Parlay odds: +1080
New York Islanders +1.5 over Calgary Flames and Game Total Under 6.5 (+145)
The Flames have gone winless in their last 4 games and have dropped 5 of their last 6. Calgary has played some strong opponents so it hasn’t really been a cupcake schedule. However, they have played 9 of their 10 games at home to begin the season. Monday will start a 3-game road trip against teams that are playing great hockey. The Flames will be pressing a little bit which brings even steeper of an uphill battle to this East Coast road trip against good teams. Calgary is 5-4-1 overall and 3-7 against the spread. The Islanders have won 4 of their last 5 and are 8-4 against the spread. This one looks better for New York.
The total has gone under in 4 of Calgary’s last 6 games as they have struggled a little bit to produce. Those current struggles matched up against the Islanders’ NHL 5th best goal prevention is a good recipe for the under. The Islanders have been scoring at a decent clip in the past week or two, but are coming off of a shutout at the hands of the Red Wings. Offense is not typically the name of the Islanders’ game, and they don’t appear to have the build to sustain this level of production. The under is the more reliable pick on Monday.
Be sure to check out our full Calgary Flames vs New York Islanders Predictions
Boston Bruins -1.5 (+135) vs St. Louis Blues
Put very plainly, the Bruins have been very good and the Blues have been very bad. These teams are trending in very opposite directions, as Boston just lost their second game of the season in a 2-1 game against a strong Toronto team. St. Louis has lost 6 straight games entering Monday and none of those losses were in a close, competitive fashion. The Bruins are 5-0-0 at home to start the season and will be the best team the Blues have faced thus far. Considering the current form of these teams, Monday’s matchup looks bleak for the Blues.
As mentioned, the Blues are not just losing close games – they are getting bullied. In their current 6-game losing streak, they have been outscored 30-10 for an average final of 5.00-1.67. In the Blues’ last 4 games, they allowed 6, 7, 5, and 5 goals respectively. That goal prevention is 5th worst in the NHL and their goal scoring is last in the NHL. The Bruins lead the NHL in scoring at 4.17 goals per game and is 4th in the NHL in goal prevention at 2.50 goals allowed per game. Until the Blues start being consistently competitive, they are an easy fade against top teams.
Be sure to check out our full St. Louis Blues vs Boston Bruins Predictions
Edmonton Oilers vs Washington Capitals Under 6.5 (+105)
Washington has shown strong goal prevention early on. Despite that, the Caps are under .500 because they just are not producing offensively. The Capitals have allowed 3 or fewer goals in 6 straight games. With that, the total has gone under in 6 consecutive Capitals games. Washington also lost 5 of those 6 macthups. That indicates that the Capitals’ goal prevention has not yet been able to make up for their lack of production. With those trends of decent goal prevention and a lack of goal scoring, the under has been a great pick in Capitals games.
The Oilers obviously have one of the higher offensive ceilings in the NHL thanks to superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. They bring up everyone around them. But the Oilers are volatile. If those guys aren’t producing, Edmonton’s entire offense goes quiet. The Oilers have scored 5 total goals across their last 2 games, and have scored 3 or fewer goals in 6 of their 12 games. Washington’s team strength and weaknesses matched up against Edmonton’s overall volatility gives the under at plus money better overall value.
Be sure to check out our full Edmonton Oilers vs Washington Capitals Predictions
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