Jack Eichel is confident he'll reach new heights once he suits up for the Vegas Golden Knights.

The superstar center is set to undergo his preferred surgery Friday to repair a herniated disc in his neck, which was promptly scheduled after the Buffalo Sabres traded him to Sin City. Eichel is hoping to debut for his new club three months after the procedure.

"I think I've got a lot more," Eichel said Monday at his introductory press conference, per NHL.com's Nicholas Cotsonika. "I think I'm only scratching the surface. Yeah, I think the season a couple years ago, I think that that was sort of the start of the way that I want to make an impact. Coming in here there's some really good hockey players, and I think this kind of environment, the culture here, is only going to push me to become better."

Eichel recorded his best season in 2018-19 when he racked up 82 points over 72 contests. He established himself as one of the league's best players soon after the Sabres drafted him second overall in 2015, posting 355 points across 375 games with Buffalo.

"I think there's a lot more in me, and this is about as motivated as I've been," Eichel said. "I think there's a lot of people out there that may be doubting me or don't think I'm going to get back to the form I was in, so look forward to putting all the doubts to rest and getting back to the level that I believe I can play."

Eichel's fallout with the Sabres mainly revolved around the best way to repair his neck injury. Buffalo preferred a traditional fusion procedure, while Eichel wanted to undergo artificial disc replacement surgery, which has never been done on an NHL player. Eichel has been sidelined since last March due to the ailment and failed his physical at the Sabres' training camp.

"I feel very, very confident in what I'm doing," Eichel said. "There's been other players that have dealt with herniated discs in other ways, but from what I've gathered speaking to them, they really were never given the option, and I feel very fortunate that my second opinion gave me this option to look at as being the superior surgery."

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The 2021-22 NHL campaign is already roughly 12% finished and we've seen very little separation in the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy race.

Leon Draisaitl and Alex Ovechkin lead the pack with 10 goals each, double the current tally of preseason favorite Auston Matthews. Competition is fierce with 18 players having found the back of the net at least seven times this season.

Can Draisaitl and Ovechkin sustain their strong starts? Can Matthews make up lost ground? Let's dive in.

Only listing players 20-1 or shorter.

Auston Matthews (+400)

The Maple Leafs' superstar center is already five goals behind Ovechkin and Draisaitl for top spot. Even so, the market doesn't seem overly concerned. His odds of winning have only dropped from 22.5% to 20%, and it's easy to see why. Matthews has missed three games and yet he's tied for second in the NHL in scoring chances. He's creating quality looks at an insanely high rate, and there's no doubt he has the talent to make the most of them. His shooting percentage (12.8%) will almost certainly rise in time. That, along with all the chances he's creating, is a recipe for success.

Connor McDavid (+400)

McDavid is a very real threat to win this award. He's known more for his playmaking, of course, but he is becoming more of a goal-scorer as time goes on. He has the ability to make something out of nothing - as we saw Friday against the Rangers - and is now unleashing a new and improved one-timer on a regular basis. McDavid ranks fourth in expected goals, so the quality looks are there in bulk. Expect McDavid to be in the mix until the end.

Alex Ovechkin (+600)

Ovechkin was one of the guys we backed during the preseason. Quite frankly, +1000 felt egregious for the generation's best and highest-volume shooter. It's still early, but getting that number sure feels like robbery. Ovechkin leads the league in shot attempts and shots on goal, and he appears completely unbothered by the absence of his usual running mate, Nicklas Backstrom.

Leon Draisaitl (+800)

Getting the current co-leader at +800 seems like a steal. However, the picture isn't as promising beneath the surface. Draisaitl is doing a fantastic job of getting into dangerous areas when he does shoot; the problem is a lack of volume. More than 40 players - 43, to be exact - have recorded more shots on goal. That's problematic because, as good as Draisaitl is, he won't shoot 30% forever. His career average is 17.4% and he's finished above 20% just once. He really needs to increase the shot volume if he's going to challenge for the "Rocket" Richard.

David Pastrnak (+1000)

Pastrnak is one of the game's best finishers but something is off this year. I think these odds imply a much better chance than Pastrnak actually has based on what we've seen. Pastrnak ranks 54th in expected goals, and 79 players have recorded more scoring chances. He has the talent to score from range but is simply not generating enough quality or quantity to pile up goals at the necessary rate to compete for this award.

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.

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How much does one player matter? It depends on the team. Sidney Crosby is not replaceable for even one game with the lack of depth on the Pittsburgh Penguins, whereas the Florida Panthers are better equipped to absorb the absence of Aleksander Barkov. While a long-term Barkov injury would hurt the Panthers, Florida can cover for him in one game. Don't overpay for a great player's absence from a great team.

The recipe

We provided a three-chapter series on how to use the regular-season point-total market to create team ratings, how to interpret home-ice advantage, and then how to use those to create your own moneylines.

I've taken the advanced stats I value most from those games, the market rating for regular-season win-total markets, and last season's advanced stats to create a rating for each team. (I make adjustments for injuries to key players.)

With roughly 13% of the season played, here's how I'm weighing those three factors as of Nov. 8:

Last season's advanced metrics act as a baseline so we don't overreact to a good start. Aren't you glad you didn't start wildly betting on the Sabres after a few wins to begin the season? The Avalanche are sixth in the Central Division. Do we think that's a sign of things to come? No.

Next, we use the regular-season point-total market to account for our assessment of these teams before the campaign. We all had the chance to bet the under on the Montreal Canadiens' season point total, and not enough of us did to move the number lower. So let's not overreact to their slow start.

Lastly, we use the games we've seen so far this season. What happens on the ice now does matter, but 11 games isn't a predictive sample size. No one is tattooing the Panthers and Oilers for a Stanley Cup Final matchup, are they?

The cheat sheet

The following is a lookahead to a week's worth of games. Bettors and content creators alike throw around "value" as a buzzword, but what does that actually mean for you?

The following includes my fair price on the games (true moneyline) and the moneyline price I would need to bet either side. I just need a 1% edge for a favorite if we're getting better than a fair price on the team that's more likely to win. For the underdog, I'll need 4% or better to make it a bet.

*Reflects price without Sidney Crosby (Out due to COVID-19 as of this writing)

If you're looking at betting a game this week, refer to this chart to see whether or not you're truly getting value with one side or the other. New injuries or lineup issues will naturally arise, but this is a good reference point for identifying an attractive price for the side you like.

Matt Russell is a betting writer for theScore. If there’s a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on Twitter @mrussauthentic.

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We have a rather bland three-game slate on the menu to start the week.

The Maple Leafs and Capitals are heavy home favorites over teams that aren't expected to contend for playoff spots.

Outside of that, we're left with the Panthers - who could be without their best player, Aleksander Barkov - taking on a Rangers team that has dropped three straight games.

Though it's not the most exciting card, there's still some value to be had. Let's dive into our best bets.

Panthers (-125) @ Rangers (+105)

The Panthers are the NHL's highest-scoring team, while the Rangers enter play having conceded six goals in consecutive games.

Considering those trends and the firepower involved in this game, it'd be easy to see people jumping on the over. However, I think the value lies with the under.

New York is struggling to create offense right now. The Rangers' stars haven't been as lethal as we've grown accustomed to and the team just doesn't have quality depth behind them. If the stars aren't scoring, New York isn't scoring - and right now, the team is having a tough time even creating chances.

The Rangers are generating just 1.78 expected goals at five-on-five per 60 over their last five games. That ranks dead last in the NHL.

Believe it or not, the Panthers haven't fared much better. They are creating just 2.0 xG per 60 during that span, which ranks 27th. Barkov's potential absence certainly wouldn't help matters.

Goaltending also figures to be good in this game. While Sergei Bobrovsky - the NHL's leader in goals saved above expected - is not available for this game, Florida is still in solid shape with top prospect Spencer Knight between the pipes. He owns a 4-0-1 record this season and has posted a solid .918 save percentage. Knight isn't your run-of-the-mill backup.

Things look even more promising at the other end. Igor Shesterkin, even after getting torched by the Flames, ranks third in GSAx with +8.5 through nine starts. Put another way, Shesterkin's shaving off nearly a goal more than expected each time out.

With both sides failing to create many looks at five-on-five and the projected starting netminders playing well, this has the makings of a somewhat low-scoring affair.

Bet: Under 5.5 (-110)

Bonus round

Backing a side that has conceded 12 goals in two games is a scary thought, especially against a scorching hot team that has 10 wins in 11 games. But we might just have to do it.

Florida is dealing with a few injuries to key players, including a Sam Bennett absence that has already tested the team's depth at center. If Barkov is out, the Panthers could be in a tough spot, especially on the road without control of matchups.

There is value on the Rangers (+105) at home.

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.

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The number of Ottawa Senators players in COVID-19 protocol doubled Monday, as forwards Connor Brown and Dylan Gambrell landed on a list that already includes winger Austin Watson, defenseman Nick Holden, and associate coach Jack Capuano.

Ottawa canceled practice Monday for precautionary reasons.

Senators head coach D.J. Smith said Brown and Gambrell don't have confirmed positive tests but won't play Tuesday against the Boston Bruins. Smith added that the two players could suit up later this week.

The team placed Watson in the protocol Friday, and Smith confirmed one day later that Watson tested positive. Ottawa added Holden and Capuano to the list Sunday night.

Being in COVID-19 protocol isn't necessarily indicative of a positive test.

Brown ranks third on the Senators with seven points in 11 games this season.

Ottawa recalled forwards Scott Sabourin and Egor Sokolov from its AHL affiliate Monday after summoning defenseman Erik Brannstrom on Sunday.

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New Jersey Devils forward Miles Wood underwent surgery on his right hip, the team announced Monday.

There is currently no timeline for his return.

Wood suffered the injury during a preseason contest in October. The team added that he exhausted all conservative measures before electing to have the surgery.

The 26-year-old led the Devils with 17 goals last year and chipped in eight assists in 55 games.

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This is the third edition of theScore's NHL Power Rankings for the 2020-21 season. Check back for updated rankings every second Monday during the regular season.

In this edition, we pick one word to describe each team's start to the season.

1. Florida Panthers (10-0-1)

Previous rank: 1

Convincing: Often overshadowed by other talented stalwarts in the Atlantic Division, the Panthers are demanding the league's attention as a true Stanley Cup contender. The true exclamation point on their season thus far was when they dominated the previously undefeated Carolina Hurricanes. The Panthers are on the offensive.

2. Carolina Hurricanes (9-1-0)

Previous rank: 4

Surging: No, this isn't just because of their classic post-victory Storm Surge. What the Hurricanes have accomplished in the early goings is the sheer definition of "surging." They're a powerful force that's ripped through each of their opponents thus far, except for one. The Panthers are the only reason the Canes aren't No. 1 on this list.

3. Edmonton Oilers (9-1-0)

Previous rank: 2

Thrilling: The Oilers are easily the NHL's most watchable team this season, as Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl continue to create magic on a nightly basis. The pair finally seems to have a dynamic supporting cast with the likes of Jesse Puljujarvi and Zach Hyman pulling their own weight, and every game is a must-see.

4. Calgary Flames (7-1-3)

Previous rank: 15

Redemption: The Flames stumbled to a horribly disappointing 26-27-3 record in the realigned North Division last season after making the playoffs the previous campaign. Johnny Gaudreau, Matthew Tkachuk, and Jacob Markstrom, who currently leads the league with four shutouts, seem hell-bent on making sure they don't fall flat again this season.

5. St. Louis Blues (7-2-1)

Previous rank: 3

Flashback: After sputtering in back-to-back playoff appearances since winning the 2019 Stanley Cup, the Blues appear to be back. Craig Berube's group looks as deep as ever, ranking in the top 10 in both goals for and goals against in the early stages of the season.

6. Philadelphia Flyers (6-2-2)

Previous rank: 16

Promising: The Flyers can't endure another season with poor goaltending. So far, so good. Carter Hart and Martin Jones have posted .926 and .950 save percentages, respectively, through 10 games, playing a large role in Philly's hot start.

7. Minnesota Wild (8-3-0)

Previous rank: 7

Tenacious: The Wild love having the puck. They lead the league in several key possession and offensive statistics at five-on-five, controlling the majority of the shot attempts for (55.3%) and expected goals for (58.3%). They're fourth in the NHL in scoring chances for (54.9%) and third in high-danger chances for (56.5%). Minnesota's real tough.

8. Tampa Bay Lightning (6-3-2)

Previous rank: 10

Recharging: Winning back-to-back Stanley Cup championships is tiring. The Lightning haven't gotten off to a dominant start, which is understandable since they lost their entire third line in the offseason and Nikita Kucherov is on the shelf again thanks to another injury. The Bolts are slowly finding their game, but they'll truly be put to the test as clashes against the Hurricanes and Panthers await them this week.

9. Winnipeg Jets (6-3-2)

Previous rank: 19

Precarious: The Jets are collecting wins but are doing so in an unsustainable manner. Winnipeg ranks 24th in five-on-five expected goals at 47.07%, but the team is third with a 9.42 shooting percentage. That can't last forever. If the concerning trends persist while Connor Hellebuyck struggles uncharacteristically, regression could hit hard.

10. New York Islanders (5-3-2)

Previous rank: 12

Steady: What else can you expect from this group? The Islanders started a tad slow, but they refused to panic and have since heated up. To no one's surprise, the Isles have allowed the fewest goals thus far.

11. Toronto Maple Leafs (7-4-1)

Previous rank: 22

Huh?: What exactly are the 2021-22 Maple Leafs? They were shoddy throughout the first week and a half of the season and the sky almost fell in Toronto after an abysmal four-game losing streak. The Leafs have turned things around since then, dispatching the Lightning and the Boston Bruins en route to a five-game winning streak. Time will eventually uncover the true face of this Toronto team.

12. Columbus Blue Jackets (7-3-0)

Previous rank: 14

Comeback: This has been an unexpected statement start for new head coach Brad Larsen's Blue Jackets. His scrappy squad has won a league-leading four games in which it's trailed after the second period. Speaking of comebacks, goaltender Elvis Merzlikins has been outstanding, putting up a sparkling .940 save percentage and a 1.98 goals against average in six games. These Jackets have a lot of fight.

13. Boston Bruins (5-4-0)

Previous rank: 8

Drought: One wouldn't expect a team that boasts a forward group deservedly nicknamed the "Perfection Line" to have the third-least goals for (24) in the league, but here we are. The Bruins' stunted production isn't for lack of trying, though. They have the NHL's second-highest expected goals for rate (56.6%), and they top the league in shots for percentage (56.2%) at five-on-five. They're mostly just handcuffed by a lackluster shooting percentage (5.14%).

14. New York Rangers (6-3-3)

Previous rank: 11

Underwhelming: The Rangers were expected to take a significant step toward contention after wholesale offseason changes, but the blueprint hasn't gelled just yet. Adam Fox is outscoring all of New York's big-ticket forwards, and the club sits 28th with a 45.27% expected goals rate.

15. Washington Capitals (5-2-4)

Previous rank: 5

Incomplete: Nicklas Backstrom started the season on injured reserve, and he's since been joined by T.J. Oshie and Anthony Mantha. Until the high-powered Capitals are operating at full strength, it's tough to judge the state of the perennial Cup contenders.

16. San Jose Sharks (6-4-1)

Previous rank: 9

Invigorated: Multiple key Sharks have stated chemistry within the locker room has drastically improved this season, and it's shown during San Jose's nice start. Hardly anybody expected this club to be competitive this year, and it'll be interesting to see how long a rejuvenated Sharks squad can keep it up.

17. Vegas Golden Knights (6-6-0)

Previous rank: 24

Overreliance: The Golden Knights are grappling with mass injuries to their forward group, but their defense just has to be better. Goaltender Robin Lehner is working overtime to cover up mistakes and has faced the most amount of high-danger chances at all strengths (104) in the league. Despite that fact, he's second in goals saved above expected (8.94) in all situations. Lehner needs better support from blue-line leaders like Shea Theodore and Alex Pietrangelo.

18. New Jersey Devils (5-3-2)

Previous rank: 17

Snakebitten: New Jersey is posting quality underlying numbers so far, owning 50.69% of shot attempts, 52.75% of scoring chances, and 55.05% expected goals. However, the Devils have a 6.35% conversion rate at five-on-five, which ranks 28th.

19. Pittsburgh Penguins (4-3-3)

Previous rank: 6

Exhausted: After fending off wave after wave of injuries and COVID-19 issues, the Penguins are hanging on by a thread. They've shown resiliency in the face of adversity, but that adversity is starting to catch up to them. Pittsburgh will need some consistency and better luck to find continued success.

20. Colorado Avalanche (4-5-1)

Previous rank: 20

Wounded: The Avalanche haven't been at full strength for a single game this season. On the bright side, only Cale Makar remains sidelined. Colorado will look to get back to its dominant ways once he returns.

21. Nashville Predators (6-5-1)

Previous rank: 27

Overdue: The Predators' highest-paid forwards - namely Matt Duchene and Ryan Johansen - are finally producing like they used to. That'll have to continue for Nashville to make any noise in the playoff race.

22. Buffalo Sabres (5-4-2)

Previous rank: 18

Relief: The Jack Eichel era in Buffalo is finally over, and a new chapter officially begins. The Sabres own an extremely impressive prospect pool and have a great group of young talent, too. With a slew of draft picks in the coming draft, Sabres fans hopefully won't have to suffer for much longer.

23. Anaheim Ducks (6-4-3)

Previous rank: 26

Floating: Ducks typically have two primary functions, and this Anaheim team certainly isn't flying up the standings any time soon.

24. Los Angeles Kings (5-5-1)

Previous rank: 28

Persevering: The Kings have been without defensemen Drew Doughty and Sean Walker since Oct. 25. In the four games since they lost the two vital blue-liners, the Kings have gone 4-1-0. Eating up Doughty and Walker's minutes is a tall order, but Los Angeles has held it together so far.

25. Detroit Red Wings (6-5-2)

Previous rank: 23

Optimism: It's been a rough few years for Red Wings fans, but it finally looks like everything is coming together. Top prospects like Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond appear to be developing into true studs, and the team looks as close to returning to being a contender as it has in a long time.

26. Vancouver Canucks (5-6-1)

Previous rank: 21

Stuck: The Canucks have a lot of players making great individual efforts. J.T. Miller is playing at over a point-per-game pace, Conor Garland has been a fantastic fit, Oliver Ekman-Larsson is off to a strong start, and Thatcher Demko has been an absolute stud. But with some of its stars like Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser struggling to produce, Vancouver just can't put it all together. The Canucks aren't good, they're not bad, they're just stuck.

27. Dallas Stars (4-5-2)

Previous rank: 13

Misfiring: The Stars have plenty of potency in their lineup yet rank 31st in goals. They're too deep for this to last forever, but it's been a frustrating start for Dallas' offense.

28. Seattle Kraken (4-7-1)

Previous rank: 29

New: Duh. As the league's newest team, the Kraken are working on piecing it all together. They aren't clicking yet, and they're struggling to start games, having given up the second-most goals (14) in the first period. Seattle also has the NHL's worst power play, firing at just a 7.9% success rate. The lack of cohesion may be because the Kraken don't know each other well enough yet.

29. Ottawa Senators (3-7-1)

Previous rank: 25

Ouch: This entry is two-fold. First, it hurts to play the Senators, given they lead the league with 342 hits through 11 games. Second, Ottawa's fan base is in a different kind of pain watching its club stumble out of the gate in a season that was supposed to be a step forward.

30. Montreal Canadiens (3-10-0)

Previous rank: 30

Disappointing: Nobody expected the Canadiens to be one of the league's top teams this season, but not many pegged them to be as terrible as they've been. Nothing seems to be clicking, as the team owns an abysmal 66% penalty kill alongside a measly 13.6 power-play success rate.

31. Chicago Blackhawks (2-9-2)

Previous rank: 32

Disturbing: The Blackhawks' on-ice product is bad, but what's happening within the organization at large is distressing. The integrity of the team's veteran leadership is rightfully under a microscope following TSN's moving interview with Kyle Beach, and the Blackhawks currently have the same number of interim tags (coach Derek King and general manager Kyle Davidson) as they do wins. A lot needs to change for this club to regain any semblance of respect.

32. Arizona Coyotes (1-10-1)

Previous rank: 31

Disaster: The Coyotes finally won a game, but they're still really bad. We expected that, but Arizona is taking uncompetitive to new levels this season. The team has barely put up a fight in the majority of its 10 regulation losses, giving up 48 goals over 12 games for a terrible goal differential of -29. It's bad, man. It's real bad.

(Analytics sources: Evolving Hockey, Natural Stat Trick)

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