We're approximately 20% through the 2023-24 NHL regular season and there's been absolutely no separation in the Hart Trophy betting market.

Eight different players have implied odds of 5.3% or higher to win the award, and the favorite - Connor McDavid - is being priced as if he'd come up short four of five times.

Let's take a closer look at how things are shaping up in what looks to be a hotly contested race.

McDavid is getting a ton of respect in this market. The Oilers sit 30th in the NHL, they aren't close to a playoff spot, and McDavid has only produced 15 points in 15 games. He's tied with the likes of Vincent Trocheck, Carter Verhaeghe, and Valeri Nichushkin in points - not exactly candidates to claim hardware this season.

On merit, McDavid is nowhere close to a Hart Trophy candidate. He's not producing nearly enough, nor is his team enjoying the kind of success necessary to get votes. But I still get it. This is a guy who cleared 150 points a season ago and can overtake the league on a moment's notice. There's a lot of runway left for the NHL's best player to make his mark.

Jack Hughes missed a handful of games with injury but remains firmly in the mix. He's piled up 22 points through 11 appearances and is tied with Cale Makar for the top spot in primary assists (13). Hughes is clearly hitting the level of superstardom, and the Devils should be one of the higher seeds in the East. He'll have a strong case if he can stay healthy.

David Pastrnak, Auston Matthews, and Elias Pettersson round out the top five.

Pastrnak is tied for first among all forwards in points (29) while leading the charge for a powerhouse Bruins team that's lost only one of 17 games in regulation.

Matthews' total production lags behind most of the names up top. That being said, nobody has scored more goals to date, and his two-way impact is strong. He'll get noticed.

Pettersson has already piled up 28 points, yet he sits third on his own team in scoring. With the way so many Canucks are feasting offensively, Pettersson figures to have real competition for votes on his own team. That may reduce his chances.

Speaking of internal competition, Quinn Hughes is opening a lot of eyes with his play this season. He leads all players with 30 points and has helped the Canucks outscore opponents 23-11 at five-on-five despite playing big minutes against high-end players. He's doing it all.

If the season ended right now, the star defenseman would have a legitimate case for the Hart. The question is whether Hughes can sustain this absurd level of production to fight off what should be a healthy batch of 110-120-plus-point forwards.

A couple of players lurking in the weeds who are worth monitoring: William Nylander and Sidney Crosby.

Nylander has been a model of consistency, finding the scoresheet at least once in each and every game he's played. I think he's outperformed superstars like Matthews and Mitch Marner, and there's extra motivation - Nylander needs a new contract - to keep chugging along.

Crosby is tied with the likes of Leon Draisaitl and Nathan MacKinnon in scoring. He's led by example and helped the Penguins dig their way out of a slow start to the campaign.

If he can sustain his production and produce 100-plus points for a playoff team, Crosby may just enter the conversation in what could be his last season as a Hart Trophy threat.

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @ToddCordell.

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We have a fun seven-game slate on the docket to begin the week. I see value in backing a pair of elite teams on the road against sides missing key contributors.

Let's take a closer look.

Bruins (-135) @ Lightning (+115)

The Lightning are getting a bit too much respect in this spot. They have only won eight of 18 games this season and have clear flaws in a lot of areas.

They don't possess much scoring depth, their team defense is underwhelming, and Jonas Johansson is in over his head as a starting goaltender.

He's performed better than anticipated given his track record, but he's still conceded more goals than expected this season.

It's no coincidence the Bolts are allowing 3.61 goals per game, one of the highest marks in the NHL.

The Lightning generally need to outscore their problems, which is going to be an extremely difficult task against the Bruins.

The Bruins are allowing only 2.35 expected goals per 60 at five-on-five this season. That is an elite rate.

They play a structured, air-tight style of hockey, don't give up a whole lot, and the goaltending is consistently good when called upon.

Projected starter Linus Ullmark ranks eighth among 41 qualified goaltenders (eight or more starts) in Goals Saved Above Expected per start. He shaves approximately half a goal per game off the opposing team's xG output, which is a big deal considering the Bruins don't allow much in the first place.

Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, and Co. may find a way to keep this game close, but I think that huge edges on defense, and in goal, will shine through for the Bruins.

Bet: Bruins (-135)

Kings (-150) @ Coyotes (+130)

The Kings own a 7-3 record over their past 10 games, during which time they lost in regulation only once.

They own the league's highest goal share (63.81%) in that span and have controlled nearly 57% of the expected goals. Suffice to say, they're a well-oiled machine.

I expect their success to continue Monday night against a struggling Coyotes team. The Coyotes have controlled only 44% of the expected goals share in November and have conceded more goals than all but five teams.

They're also playing without their first-line center Barrett Hayton. That has pushed Travis Boyd onto the top line, which is a clear downgrade.

The Kings have already faced the Coyotes twice this season and enjoyed success. They won both games in regulation, besting the Coyotes by three on one occasion while posting a 61% xG share in the other.

Since the two sides last met, the Coyotes sit 26th in shot generation at five-on-five while only two teams have done a better job of limiting shots than the Kings.

With this being the only Kings game scheduled until Friday, I expect they will continue to ride Cam Talbot - who has been drastically better than Pheonix Copley - and split starts on the weekend.

Bet: Kings in regulation (+100)

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @ToddCordell.

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With seven games on the schedule for Monday night, we're in for an abnormally busy start to the week.

Let's take a closer look at a few of my favorite props on a loaded board.

Connor McDavid: Over 3.5 shots

McDavid's shot volume is slowly getting to the level to which we've all grown accustomed. He started the season slow, attempting more than five shots only once over his first six games and, unsurprisingly, failing to go over his shot total in all but one of those contests.

But McDavid has since attempted at least six shots in seven of eight games, averaging 7.1 over that time.

While the Panthers are not generally a team I want to target for shots, there are plenty of reasons to like McDavid tonight.

At the top of the list is the fact Selke candidate Aleksander Barkov is out of the lineup with an injury. McDavid would've seen a healthy dose of Barkov on the road. His absence is certainly a big plus.

McDavid is also seeing an insane workload on a nightly basis. Given how poorly the Oilers started the year, they have no margin for error moving forward, and McDavid will see as much ice as possible if the game is competitive.

That's already been the case under new head coach Kris Knoblauch.

McDavid played fewer than 20 minutes in the first two games with Knoblauch, both of which were 4-1 wins.

In close games against the Kraken and Lightning, McDavid played over 23 minutes.

I have a hard time believing the Oilers will walk all over the Panthers, meaning McDavid should see a massive workload in this spot.

Odds: -106 (playable to -125)

Mika Zibanejad: Over 2.5 shots

Zibanejad has been very consistent on the road this season. He is averaging 3.1 shots on goal per game and has gone over his shot total eight times in 10 tries.

He has found success against plenty of strong shot-suppression teams, registering three or more against the Devils, Jets, Canucks, and Oilers, to name a few.

Although the Stars don't seem like a great matchup on paper, there is plenty to like with Zibanejad in this spot.

The Stars rank in the bottom 10 in shots against per game over the past 10 contests.

They have given up a lot of volume to opposing centers this season, slotting in the bottom third in that category as well.

This should be a close game, allowing Zibanejad to get all the ice he can handle from start to finish. Expect him to take advantage.

Odds: -130 (playable to -150)

Quinn Hughes: Over 2.5 shots

Hughes has been automatic on home ice this season, going over his shot total in seven of eight games.

He is not fighting tooth and nail to get the job done. He is consistently going over with room to spare.

Hughes is averaging 4.1 shots on goal and eight attempts when playing in Vancouver. As I've often pointed out this season, those are the kind of numbers you'd expect to see from a 40-goal scorer on the wing.

What makes Hughes especially attractive is that he's going up against the league's worst team. The Sharks allow more shots - and shots against defensemen - than every team in the league.

With the Canucks coming off a somewhat ugly loss to the Kraken, they will no doubt be looking to take their frustrations out on the Sharks. Look for the captain to lead the charge and be heavily involved offensively.

Odds: -140 (playable to -170)

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @ToddCordell.

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We have a very small card ahead of us on Friday. There are only three games scheduled and just two for the night slate.

Not much stands out in terms of sides and totals, but there are still a few props that caught my eye. Let's take a closer look.

Kyle Connor over 3.5 shots

Connor is off to a red-hot start to the campaign. He's scored 13 goals through 15 games and is shooting the puck at a very high clip, averaging 4.5 shots per game on over seven attempts.

Although he is efficient at five-on-five, a healthy chunk of his shots come on the power play. Getting him the puck on the man advantage is clearly Winnipeg's top priority, as he leads the team in points and has nearly twice as many shots as the closest teammate to him.

That's important to note when going up against the Sabres. They have struggled with discipline thus far, taking more penalties per game than all but three teams.

If they're going to give the Jets a handful of opportunities on the power play, that should greatly benefit Connor on his quest for four shots.

Odds: -110 (playable to -130)

Cole Perfetti over 0.5 points

Perfetti looks like one of the better young players in the NHL. He has 13 points through 15 games and has been a model of consistency, finding the scoresheet in seven consecutive games and recording nine points in that span.

He has produced with extreme efficiency at five-on-five, averaging 3.26 points per 60 minutes in that game state, a top-tier rate that comfortably ranks him first on the Jets.

With Tage Thompson sidelined due to injury, the Sabres' forward crop is not as dangerous. Their thinned-out group should make life a little easier for Perfetti at evens.

He also skates on the top power-play unit. The Sabres take penalties in bunches - and their goaltending is mediocre - so that's certainly a big plus.

Expect Perfetti to stay hot and find success in an advantageous matchup at home.

Odds: -115 (playable to -140)

Matthew Tkachuk over 3.5 shots

The Ducks have been a constant target for shot props, and there is no reason to get away from that. They are allowing well over 32 per game this season and their numbers are actually trending in the wrong direction.

That's not good news when squaring off against the Panthers. They are one of the best shot-generating teams in the NHL and have feasted on the Ducks time and time again in recent history.

Dating back to 2022, the Panthers have posted shot totals of 42, 55, 48, and 55 against the Ducks. Insane outputs.

While this year's version of the Ducks is better than what we've seen in the past, they do have warts defensively and take more penalties per game than anybody.

This is a spot where Tkachuk - the Panthers' leader in attempts, shots on goal, and high-danger chances - should put up a big number.

Odds: -122 (playable to -145)

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @ToddCordell.

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Just a few weeks ago, Jay Woodcroft was considered one of the favorites to win the Jack Adams Award as the coach of the year. Fast forward to now, and the Oilers have already made a change behind the bench following a 3-9-1 start to the season.

Clearly, things can change in a hurry in the NHL.

With that in mind, let's take a closer look at which head coaches oddsmakers at theScore Bet believe are most likely to be replaced next.

Odds via theScore Bet. Only listed coaches at +4000 or shorter.

The Senators' D.J. Smith is the favorite to be the next coach replaced at +170, which equates to a 37% implied probability.

That's understandable - Ottawa hasn't lived up to its relatively high expectations coming into the season. The Senators have won six of 13 games, and the numbers beneath the surface paint an even bleaker picture.

They've controlled 44% of the expected goals at five-on-five, slotting them ahead of only the Sharks, Blues, and Blackhawks. That isn't the kind of company a team with playoff aspirations should keep.

The Senators have a new owner and a new president of hockey operations, neither of whom brought in Smith. When changes are made up top, the new people in power generally want to bring in their own coach. It feels like only a matter of time before the Senators walk down that path.

Dean Evason is right behind Smith in the pecking order. With just five wins through 15 games, the Wild are off to a miserable start. They're generally a very stout team, but their defensive metrics are down, and the goaltending has been horrible. If things don't turn around soon, the Wild may opt to bring in a new voice and give everyone a clean slate.

Andrew Brunette, Pascal Vincent, and Ryan Huska all have relatively high implied odds of being removed from their posts but are each in their first season on the job. They should all be safe regardless of how many losses they pile up.

Sheldon Keefe isn't too far down the list, although his job feels more secure than the odds indicate. New GM Brad Treliving could have moved on from Keefe in the summer but elected to keep him around and dish out a two-year contract extension that keeps him signed through 2025. It'd take a lot more than an 8-5-2 start for Treliving to go to the Maple Leafs' ownership with a costly change of heart.

Lane Lambert is one name that stands out at +1800. Only three teams have won fewer games than the Islanders to date, and New York owns some truly miserable defensive metrics. Lou Lamoriello is a defense-first general manager and is never shy about making changes behind the bench. The leash is undoubtedly short.

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @ToddCordell.

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We started the week in disappointing fashion Monday night, going 1-2 with our best bets. Valeri Nichushkin hit the scoresheet for Colorado, but both shot props failed to come through.

We'll look to rebound with a pair of plays for Tuesday's card.

Devils (+110) @ Jets (-130)

The Devils are one of the highest-powered offensive teams in the league when healthy. Unfortunately for them, they're far from healthy right now.

Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier remain sidelined with injuries, which has taken a monumental bite out of the team's offense. Hughes hasn't played for two weeks, yet he still has sole possession of the league lead in primary assists, while Hischier is a Selke finalist coming off an 80-point campaign.

They formed a historically good power play over the first few weeks of the season, and the Devils are shallow down the middle at even strength without them.

Of the four games played without both top pivots in the lineup, three have gone under the number. As expected, the Devils are having a much tougher time scoring goals, but they remain a competent shot-suppression team.

On the flip side, the Jets have defended very well to start the year. In fact, only the Kings and Avalanche have done a better job of limiting expected goals at five-on-five.

Connor Hellebuyck hasn't performed all that well - which is a big reason why the Jets have still played in plenty of high-scoring games - but it's safe to assume he'll right the ship sooner rather than later.

A date with a Devils team featuring Michael McLeod (normally skating on the fourth line) and Dawson Mercer (just two points this season) as its top centers would be a good spot for Hellebuyck to do just that.

I see a 4-2 type of game here, and thus value on the under of 6.5.

Bet: Under 6.5 (-105)

Panthers (-280) @ Sharks (+230)

The Panthers are firing on all cylinders right now. They've gone 7-2-1 over the last 10 games, won four in a row, and are now getting a healthy Sam Bennett back in their lineup. Look out.

Nothing we've seen thus far gives us any reason to believe the Sharks will be able to handle themselves against Florida. San Jose is allowing nearly 40 shots per game and getting crushed at five-on-five every single night.

That's unlikely to change against a Panthers team that has controlled over 54% of the expected goals at five-on-five this season.

Mackenzie Blackwood will need to stand on his head for the Sharks to be competitive in this game. Even that might not be enough.

Blackwood stopped 40 shots against the Ducks last time out. The Sharks lost by three.

In recent weeks, he made 39 saves against the Capitals (.951 save percentage) and 33 saves against the Panthers (.943). Not only did the Sharks lose those games - they dropped them by multiple goals.

San Jose simply loses the shot and chance battles by such large margins each night that it often fails to keep games close, even when getting great goaltending.

That's a big reason why 12 of 13 losses this season have come by multiple goals.

I expect the Panthers to control this game from start to finish and cruise to a multi-goal victory.

Bet: Panthers -1.5 (-115)

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @ToddCordell.

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We have a meaty nine-game slate ahead of us on Tuesday night. Let's waste no time getting to a few of my favorite props.

Elias Lindholm: Over 2.5 shots

Lindholm is a road warrior. He recorded three shots or more in eight of nine games on the road this season, testing opposing goaltenders 3.4 times on average. I expect his success to continue Tuesday night in Montreal.

The Canadiens have bled shots all season, particularly against the center position. They rank 31st in shots allowed per game versus opposing centers, which puts them ahead of only the Blackhawks.

The Habs also struggle mightily with team discipline, taking more penalties per game than all but the Ducks.

Lindholm is the Flames' first-line center - and has played more minutes on the power play than anybody else on the roster this season - so he figures to be the primary beneficiary of this juicy matchup.

Odds: -125 (playable to -135)

Filip Forsberg: Over 3.5 shots

Forsberg has been a constant target for us all season long - particularly when playing at home - and there's no reason to get away from that.

He went over his shot total in five of six home games, falling just one shot shy in the lone exception.

His volume in Nashville is through the roof. Forsberg is averaging nearly five shots on goal while attempting well over eight shots per contest.

Although the Ducks are much improved this season, that stems more from the dynamic ability of their young weapons rather than stout defensive play. The Ducks rank bottom-10 in shots against per game, and no team has taken more penalties.

Forsberg should be able to generate plenty of offense against a weak defense at five-on-five. If all else fails, he can likely expect a few power-play opportunities to get over the line.

Odds: -130 (playable to -145)

Sam Reinhart: Over 2.5 shots

Reinhart has reverse splits. Unlike most offensive players, his volume is much higher on the road than at home. He's attempting 5.7 shots per game in Florida and more than seven on the road.

This isn't a case where one or two monster games are bringing the numbers up; Reinhart's outputs have been consistent. He's attempted at least six shots in all but one road game. That means he's giving himself a strong shot of hitting on any given night.

Dating back to last season, Reinhart has gone over his total 71% of the time when attempting six shots or more.

Reinhart should have no problem generating that kind of volume against the Sharks. They're a horrific defensive team with little offense to sustain pressure at the other end of the ice. They spend a ton of time chasing play in the defensive zone as a result, which is why they rank dead last in attempts and shots on goal allowed on a per-minute basis.

Look for Reinhart to take advantage.

Odds: -130 (playable to -150)

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @ToddCordell.

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We're just over a month into the season and Connor Bedard has already seen his implied odds of winning the Calder soar from 56% to 73%.

Let's take a closer look at why, and figure out who - if anyone - can challenge the young phenom the rest of the way.

The Calder Trophy was Bedard's to lose heading into the season, and he's shown no signs he's ready to give it away. Bedard leads all rookies in points with 13 through 13 games.

Although Bedard hasn't truly separated himself from the pack - at least not yet - he has the best offensive outputs of the bunch and is producing with little talent surrounding him. So long as that's the case, he's extremely likely to win. The odds reflect that.

There are plenty of guys nipping at Bedard's heels ready to pounce if he were to slip up or suffer an injury.

Logan Cooley has transitioned smoothly to the NHL and sits second among rookies in points while leading the group with 10 assists. Seven of those assists are primary, which puts him in a tie for 16th among all skaters. His playmaking is keeping him in the mix.

With six goals in 10 games for the surprisingly competitive Ducks, Leo Carlsson is surging up the board and is nearly half the price he was a month ago. The problem with Carlsson is he's going through a load-management program and not playing every night. Keeping up with Bedard is going to be tough when dressing in fewer games.

Luke Hughes started the season in remarkable fashion for a Devils team that was clicking at a historic rate on the power play. Unfortunately, the offense has dried up for Luke with stars Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier sidelined due to injury. The Devils aren't scoring nearly as much, making it a lot tougher on the youngest Hughes to put up enough points to remain relevant.

At this point, another defenseman - Pavel Mintyukov - appears more likely to challenge for the Calder. He's piled up 10 points for the Ducks and looks excellent quarterbacking a dangerous top power-play unit.

His on-ice impact is strong as well, with Mintyukov owning a positive goal differential and the second-highest expected goals share among Ducks defenders. There is value at +2500.

Adam Fantilli and Matthew Knies have seen their odds balloon a little bit and for good reason. Fantilli has points in three straight games but is averaging just 13:54 of ice time per game in November, a far cry from the 16:22 he averaged in October. He is unlikely to produce consistently enough with that kind of usage.

Knies has taken on a bigger role with the Maple Leafs of late, but he's more of a complimentary piece than a dynamic, puck-dominant player like Bedard, Cooley, or Carlsson. That makes it tougher for him to find the scoresheet.

All in all, it feels like most - if not all - of the rookies behind the pack need plenty of things to break their way while Bedard only needs good health to take home some hardware.

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @ToddCordell.

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We begin the week with a two-game slate. Although I don't see much value in terms of sides and totals, a few props jump off the page.

Let's take a closer look.

Evan Bouchard: Over 2.5 shots

Bouchard's shot volume has been very strong this season. He registered at least three shots on target in eight of 13 games, good for a 62% success rate.

His splits are extreme. Bouchard is averaging 4.2 shots and nearly eight attempts per game on home ice. Unsurprisingly, that's leading to a lot of success. He went over his shot total in five of six games in Edmonton.

Bouchard's volume is drastically lower on the road, sitting at 2.6 shots on 5.3 attempts per game.

He's back at home Monday night in a mouthwatering matchup against the Islanders. They have a reputation as a boring defensive team, but the reality is they can't defend at all. Only the Sharks and Blackhawks - two teams in deep rebuilds - have conceded more shots per game.

The Islanders give up a ton of volume to opposing defensemen, ranking 31st in shots against versus the position. Look for Bouchard to take advantage.

Odds: -110 (playable to -130)

Mathew Barzal: Under 2.5 shots

Barzal owns some of the most extreme home/road splits you'll ever see. He recorded three shots or more in all nine games he played at home, which is no coincidence since he generated 7.4 attempts per contest.

His road numbers don't hold a candle to his output on Long Island. He sees the toughest assignments playing on the top offensive line, and it's clearly impacted him.

Barzal has gone under his shot total in all four road games and averaged 3.3 attempts per contest. He essentially needs to hit the net every time he shoots the puck to have a fighting chance.

For all the Oilers' faults this season - horrendous goaltending, poor finishing, etc. - they're doing an excellent job limiting shots. They rank second in the NHL in attempts allowed per 60 minutes of five-on-five play, slotting behind only the Hurricanes.

I wouldn't expect an uptick in volume from Barzal here.

Odds: +105 (playable to -125)

Valeri Nichushkin: Over 0.5 points

Nichushkin is starting to heat up. He registered points in two of the past three games and recorded nine shots on goal in that span.

The Avalanche recently promoted him to the top line alongside Nathan MacKinnon, which is an obvious plus. With Artturi Lehkonen now sidelined due to an upper-body injury, Nichushkin has also shifted up to the top power-play unit.

Colorado has as much high-end firepower as almost anybody in hockey. Without Lehkonen in the mix, Nichushkin doesn't really have competition for all the prime minutes.

He should have MacKinnon by his side on every shift he takes and benefit greatly from whipping the puck around with Mikko Rantanen, Cale Makar, and Co. on the top power play.

The Blues embarrassed the Avalanche last time out, prompting an outburst from head coach Jared Bednar. I expect a response against a Kraken team that's struggled to keep the puck out.

With 18-20 minutes likely coming alongside elite players, Nichushkin should have ample opportunity to find the scoresheet.

Odds: -130 (playable to -150)

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @ToddCordell.

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We have a fun six-game slate ahead of us to conclude the week. Let's take a closer look at a couple of my favorite plays on the board.

Flyers (-115) @ Ducks (-105)

While Carter Hart (sick) starting would be preferable, the absence of Trevor Zegras from the Ducks’ lineup should help compensate by taking a bite out of their offense.

Additionally, the Flyers are playing very strong defensively, allowing 2.30 expected goals per 60 at five-on-five. That's a top-five rate in the NHL.

Although the Ducks tend to give up chances in bulk and play higher-event games, there is something working in the under's favor - their goaltending.

John Gibson looks more like the John Gibson of old this season, as he's stopping 3.5 more goals than expected through seven games. That's half a puck per game, which puts him in company with Igor Shesterkin and Linus Ullmark.

Philadelphia is not a high-powered offensive team, and I don't see Gibson being overwhelmed with insane shot volume or high-powered shooting.

This should be a close, low-event style of game. I like the under.

Bet: Under 6.5 (-130)

Sharks (+400) @ Golden Knights (-520)

This is as big of a mismatch as you'll find in the NHL right now. The Sharks have won only two games and rank dead last in points per game, goals, goals against, goal differential, and pretty much any other statistic you can imagine.

Not only are they horrible, but they're tired. The Sharks were able to grind out a win against the lowly Oilers on Thursday night and ran their best players (Tomas Hertl, William Eklund, Mario Ferraro) into the ground during the process.

They're going to have their hands full in this one. The Golden Knights won the Stanley Cup a few months ago and are showing no signs of a hangover. They actually sit tied with the Bruins for most points in the NHL.

They are all business and, after back-to-back losses, it's fair to expect some urgency in their game against the Sharks. The Golden Knights aren't going to come out flat and take them lightly.

San Jose is a very bad first-period team, sitting tied for last in goals for (six) while allowing more goals (16) than all but three teams.

We've seen the exact opposite from the Golden Knights. They rank top 10 in first-period goals and only three teams have conceded fewer.

With a massive edge in talent, a rest advantage, home ice, and urgency to get things back on track, I expect the Golden Knights to start fast and win the opening frame.

Bet: Golden Knights first period -0.5 (-120)

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @ToddCordell.

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