We have a fairly quiet five-game slate to dig through as we kick off the week. While there aren't an overwhelming amount of options to choose from Monday, there's still value on the board.

Let's dig into three of my favorite spots.

Patrick Kane over 3.5 shots (-125)

Patrick Kane has been a consistent target for us all season long, especially when he's playing on home ice. Kane averages 4.1 shots per game in Chicago and has registered at least four in 12 of his last 17 contests. He went over the number in 70% of those games and has gone over in 60% of his home contests for the season. Pretty good!

Kane now finds himself in a very advantageous matchup against the Buffalo Sabres. Their defense has tightened up a little bit of late, but they generally allow plenty of rubber. The Sabres are also in the latter half of a road back-to-back, which won't help their cause.

Oh, and Buffalo bleeds shots to right wingers. Only the Columbus Blue Jackets and Dallas Stars have allowed more per game since the beginning of February.

Anze Kopitar over 2.5 shots (-112)

The Los Angeles Kings captain has been almost automatic at home. Anze Kopitar has generated at least three shots in seven of his last 10 home dates, including last time out against these same Seattle Kraken.

His recent success in Los Angeles is nothing new. Kopitar has gone over this number in 24 of 35 home games this season. That's a 69% hit rate, which aligns perfectly with what we've seen over the last 10 games (70%).

The Kraken play a slow, low-event style and have proven to be quite good at suppressing shots versus centers. That didn't stop Kopitar last time out, and, at this price, I'm happy to take my chances once again.

Leon Draisaitl over 3.5 shots (+100)

Last but not least, we have Leon Draisaitl. He's firing on all cylinders in Edmonton right now, generating shots at a ridiculous rate.

Draisaitl has recorded at least four shots on goal in eight of his last 10 home games. But that's not just due to a high accuracy rate; Draisaitl is averaging a whopping 7.3 shot attempts per contest in that span.

I expect his home success to continue Monday against the Arizona Coyotes. They rank dead last in five-on-five shots allowed over the last 10 games. They're also putrid on the power play, where Draisaitl leads the Edmonton Oilers in shots during this stretch.

As if the play wasn't enticing enough already, the Coyotes also give up a ton of shots to centers. Only three teams have surrendered more shots per game to the position this season.

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

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We ended last week on a pretty good note, pushing an under while winning the other bet in the weekend preview.

We'll look to go another night without a loss as we dive into Monday's best bets.

Hurricanes (-130) @ Capitals (+110)

The Carolina Hurricanes are poised to go on a run sooner than later. At five-on-five over the last 10 games, the Hurricanes have controlled 59% of the shot attempts, 59% of the expected goals, and 61% of the high-danger chances. They rank at or near the top of the league in each category.

The Washington Capitals have a more impressive 7-2-1 record over the same period, but their underlying metrics don't hold a candle. They've controlled 48% of the shot attempts, 48% of the xG, and 47% of the high-danger chances, slotting in the bottom half of the NHL across the board.

The difference between the two? Simply put, finishing. Carolina has scored on just 5% of its five-on-five shots in its last 10 games, besting only the Los Angeles Kings in conversion rate during that spell. Meanwhile, Washington netted better than 9% of their shots and scored more power-play goals than all but three teams.

The Capitals have long out-performed expectations in terms of finishing rate, while the Hurricanes have consistently underperformed. Even so, the contrast we've seen over the last few weeks is too drastic. If Carolina continues to dominate the run of play, it's only a matter of time before the team gets rewarded.

The Hurricanes should get the better of the Capitals at five-on-five, and they're as equipped as anybody to slow down that potent power play. I expect Carolina to best Washington on Monday and pick up its first win of the season against its division rivals.

Bet: Hurricanes (-130)

Kraken (+175) @ Kings (-210)

The Seattle Kraken and L.A. met a couple of days ago. The Kings came through with a 4-2 regulation victory at home, and I'm expecting a similar result this time around.

Los Angeles has continued to chug along despite all the injuries. The Kings have collected at least a point in seven of their last 10 games. They've posted solid five-on-five numbers over that time, controlling nearly 56% of the shot attempts and almost 53% of the expected goals.

Seattle has a decent five-on-five profile over the same period, but it lags well behind L.A. in shot attempts and expected goals. The Kings should get the better of play at full strength.

They also look to have a significant edge in special teams, particularly while up a man. The Kraken are having a heck of a time killing penalties right now, ranking 26th in expected goals against per 60 minutes and 31st in goals against per 60 over the last 10 contests.

I don't think the game will be overly high scoring, but the Kings should take care of business inside regulation.

Bet: Kings in regulation (-127)

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

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Our best bets Wednesday were a mixed bag. We successfully played the under in Minnesota, but, despite a 1-1 scoreline after 40 minutes, the Dallas Stars and Carolina Hurricanes crushed our spirits with two goals apiece in the third period to guarantee a loss.

We'll hope for better with our best bets for the weekend.

Penguins (-120) @ Rangers (+100)
Mar 25, 7 p.m. EST

We were under heavy in Thursday's best bets, so it's only fitting we pick up where we left off to get the weekend started.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are playing very sound defensive hockey, sitting fifth in scoring chances allowed per game - and sixth in expected goals against - over their last 10 contests. They're not giving their opponents many opportunities, which is a recipe for success with how Tristan Jarry is playing.

He's appeared in 14 of Pittsburgh's last 20 games. In those contests, he posted a .929 five-on-five save percentage and .919 SV% overall - both rank significantly above league average. I don't see the New York Rangers scoring much in this game.

Although Igor Shesterkin has looked a little more human lately, he should be able to keep Pittsburgh's offense in check. He still leads the NHL in save percentage and goals saved above expected. He also held the Penguins to just one goal when the sides met late last month.

With both sides jockeying for positioning in the Metro Division standings, this game has significant playoff implications. I expect that to show. Look for a tight, lower-scoring affair.

Bet: Under 6 (-120)

Hurricanes (-124) @ Blues (+102)
Mar 26, 8 p.m. EST

The Hurricanes have long been a team that dictates the run of play at five-on-five. It's been their calling card for any and all success dating back to when their roster had less talent than it does now. Yet, they seem to be hitting a new level.

Carolina's share of the shot attempts sits above 61% over the last 10 games. It's not a quantity over quality thing either. The team looks just as good when it comes to expected goal share or high-danger chances, controlling better than 60% of each.

While the St. Louis Blues are a solid team, their biggest weakness is staying afloat in the chance department. They routinely give up more than they create and rely on finishing at a high rate to make up for it.

I'm not sure that's going to happen against this Carolina team. Not with Frederik Andersen (likely) in net. Only Shesterkin has posted better numbers than Andersen over this season, and the gap is nowhere close to as large as it once was.

The Hurricanes should have a big edge at five-on-five in this game. If Andersen starts against Jordan Binnington, that'll be the case in goal as well. Back Carolina to take care of business in St. Louis.

Bet: Hurricanes (-124)

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

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We had just one player prop in Wednesday's best bets, successfully backing Trevor Zegras to go over 2.5 shots at home to the Chicago Blackhawks.

We'll look to build on that as we attack a much juicier Thursday night slate.

Connor McDavid over 3.5 shots (-125)

I'm not sure I could like a player more than Connor McDavid in this spot. The San Jose Sharks aren't a great defensive team at the best of times, and they've been particularly putrid lately. Only the Arizona Coyotes and Philadelphia Flyers have given up five-on-five shot attempts at a higher rate over the last 10 games. They're bleeding shots.

It just so happens the position San Jose struggles most with is the one McDavid plays. The Sharks have conceded 12.61 shots per contest to centers since the beginning of February, ranking dead last in the NHL during that spell.

McDavid is cooking on home soil and has piled up 19 shots over his last four games while going over the number (3.5) in each. I like him to continue his success against a Sharks team he nailed for seven shots in their only prior meeting this season.

Anze Kopitar over 2.5 shots (-106)

Anze Kopitar let us down last time out, but I'm going back to the well tonight against the Blackhawks.

He's firing on all cylinders in Los Angeles right now, registering at least three shots in 10 of his last 14 games. The shots continue to be there in bulk, and I don't see that changing with so many key players out of the lineup. He has more weight on his shoulders as a result.

Kopitar's recent success is a big reason I like the play, but the matchup also factors in. Whether you look at the entire body of work or focus on the last couple of months, Chicago is in the bottom 10 in preventing shots to centers.

We targeted the Blackhawks with Zegras on Wednesday night - and won! - and I expect the same to happen with Kopitar on Thursday.

Teuvo Teravainen over 2.5 shots (-125)

Teuvo Teravainen is a beast on home soil. He's gone over the number (2.5) in 20 of 30 games played in Carolina, good for a whopping 67% success rate.

While the Dallas Stars aren't a team I generally look to target, there's real value in doing so with Teravainen. The Stars aren't nearly as stingy defensively with Miro Heiskanen out of the lineup. Plus, they're giving up a lot of shots to right-wingers.

Since the beginning of February (20 contests), only the Columbus Blue Jackets and Buffalo Sabres have conceded more shots per game to right-wingers than Dallas. Couple Teravainen's home success with a sneaky good matchup, and this line feels well short.

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

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It's Thursday and you know what that means: a jam-packed hockey schedule. We have 10 games on tonight's slate, which means there's plenty of value on the board.

It's not sides, but rather totals, that stand out to me most. Let's dive into a couple of my favorites.

Stars (+155) @ Hurricanes (-190)

The Carolina Hurricanes enter this game playing arguably their best defensive hockey of the season. At five-on-five, they have conceded just 2.17 expected goals and 9.11 high-danger chances per 60 over the last 10 games. Both totals rank them top-five in the NHL.

Scoring on the Hurricanes would be difficult with even average goaltending. The problem for opposing teams is they're getting much, much, better than that.

Frederik Andersen ranks second to Igor Shesterkin in save percentage and goals saved above expected this season. He didn't start hot and cool off, either - he's sustained his remarkably good numbers. Andersen has appeared in 13 games since the beginning of February, posting a .925 save percentage while stopping 6.5 more shots than expected.

The Dallas Stars have scored more goals - and generated chances at a higher clip - of late but they've generally been a one-line team all season. I don't think they're going to do a lot of damage vs. Andersen and the Hurricanes.

While the loss of Miro Heiskanen is problematic, Jake Oettinger should be able to keep Carolina's offense from blowing up. He owns a .919 save percentage since Feb. 1 and ranks fourth among all goaltenders in high-danger save percentage during that time.

These teams have met once this season and the game featured five goals. I expect a similar result this time around.

Bet: Under 6 (-120)

Canucks (+180) @ Wild (-220)

This game is eerily similar to the one I just previewed. The Minnesota Wild are playing stifling defense right now; they prevent shot attempts, scoring chances, and expected goals at a better rate than every team in the NHL over the last 10 games.

They're giving opposing teams nothing, which is a recipe for low goal totals; especially with Cam Talbot seemingly turning a corner.

On the flip side, the Vancouver Canucks are creating opportunities at a below average rate over the last 10 games. They also find themselves in the latter half of a road back-to-back that started with a game against the powerhouse Colorado Avalanche. I don't think they have enough raw talent - or energy - to break down Minnesota's suffocating defense with any regularity.

Although Thatcher Demko has slowed down a little of late, he's been one of the league's best netminders this season. He ranks just outside the top 10 in goals saved above expectation, slotting a spot below Jacob Markstrom.

He should be able to keep Minnesota's offense from blowing up, setting up what should be a low-scoring affair.

Bet: Under 6 (-115)

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

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There are only four games on Wednesday night's slate, but there is plenty of value on the board.

Let's dig into it as we look to build on a 3-0 night with our best bets.

Devils (+270) @ Maple Leafs (-340)

The Toronto Maple Leafs own a very pedestrian 5-4-1 record over the last 10 games, but don't let that fool you - they have largely outplayed their opponents.

At five-on-five, the Maple Leafs have controlled over 56% of the shot attempts (fourth) and 57% of the expected goals (fifth) during this spell of mediocre results.

It is not exaggerating to say the only thing holding Toronto back is goaltending. The Leafs' .896 save percentage is among the league's worst over the last 10 contests, and the issues date back long before then.

The good news is the New Jersey Devils have dealt with similar problems. While their five-on-five profile also suggests they're better than the results indicate, goaltending has been their undoing. Only the Seattle Kraken have a worse team save percentage than the Devils this season.

Adding Andrew Hammond to the mix should help, but there's only so much a 34-year-old journeyman can do. There's also no guarantee he starts tonight, which would mean New Jersey either sends out Nico Daws back-to-back nights - the club pulled him last time it tried that - or Jon Gillies and his .884 save percentage.

No matter who the Devils put in the crease, the Leafs are in a good spot to pick up a bounce-back victory.

Bet: Maple Leafs -1.5 (-130)

Blackhawks (+105) @ Ducks (-125)

The Anaheim Ducks are not a good team. The Ducks have won just two of their last 10 games and recently sold off key veterans like Rickard Rakell, Hampus Lindholm, and Josh Manson. Even so, I like Anaheim to pick up two points in this one.

As poorly as the Ducks are playing, the Chicago Blackhawks might be a tier below. The team has controlled just 43% of the (five-on-five) expected goal share over the last 10 matchups, ranking them 27th in the NHL - just below the Buffalo Sabres.

Anaheim has fared much better in that category, controlling more than 52% of the expected goal share over the same period of play. The Ducks don't have many good players to finish the chances they get, but routinely generating more than their opponents is a good sign.

I think the Ducks should be able to punch above their weight class in terms of finishing in this game. Why? With Marc-Andre Fleury out of the picture, Kevin Lankinen is now the Blackhawks' starter - and he has been an unmitigated disaster this campaign.

Among all netminders with at least 17 appearances, only one grades out worse in goals saved above expected per start. One.

It doesn't take much to beat Lankinen. If Anaheim can once again get the bulk of the chances, it should lead to success in this game.

Bet: Ducks (-125)

Trevor Zegras over 2.5 shots (+105)

Trevor Zegras finds himself in a very good spot at home against Chicago. The Blackhawks are among the league's worst teams at limiting shots to centers, ranking in the bottom 10 since the beginning of February and for the season as a whole. Whether you weigh the larger sample or recent play more heavily, Chicago looks very attackable.

Matchups are very important for a player like Zegras, as his volume tends to be inconsistent. He has proven capable of taking advantage of plus matchups, with previous outings against Chicago serving as the perfect examples.

Zegras registered at least three shots in both meetings versus the Blackhawks this season, combining for a whopping 13 shot attempts in that time. Look for that success to continue tonight.

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

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There was no shortage of activity at the 2022 NHL trade deadline. Where do things stand following all the movement?

Here, we'll look at a few teams to buy or sell post-deadline.

Buy

Colorado Avalanche (+400)

The Avalanche, who were the best team heading into the deadline, made meaningful improvements to further increase their chances. Josh Manson isn't the player he once was, but he should bolster the top four and work nicely with Sam Girard on the second pairing. Artturi Lehkonen is an excellent middle-six forward who fits perfectly with the team's style of play. He also brings real playoff experience, having made it to the dance with the Montreal Canadiens last season. Additionally, Andrew Cogliano is a nice, speedy role player who improves the team's depth. The Avalanche didn't add any marquee names, but they didn't need to.

Tampa Bay Lightning (+850)

Since the last odds update, the Lightning added Brandon Hagel and Nick Paul, only losing Mathieu Joseph. Hagel is a speedy, forechecking fiend who's on pace for well over 25 goals; Paul is a responsible, versatile, two-way forward. They provide another impressive layer of depth to an already loaded team. Yet Tampa Bay's odds to win the Stanley Cup decreased. I think that's a mistake. Yes, the Lightning have a nightmarish path through the Atlantic Division. But that didn't stop them last year, or the year before. This team looks just as impressive as recent renditions.

Pittsburgh Penguins (+1600)

The Penguins entered the deadline with only one real weakness: finishing. They're among the league's best chance-generation teams, sitting seventh in expected goals at five-on-five. But their actual output has lagged behind, as 12 teams have netted more goals. It went to the wire, but the Penguins did pluck Rickard Rakell from Anaheim to get Evgeni Malkin some help. Rakell's on pace for 26 goals this season and will no doubt benefit from joining a team as talented as Pittsburgh. I think these odds sell the Pens a little short.

Sell

Vegas Golden Knights (+1600)

Things are going from bad to worse for the Golden Knights. They're struggling to stay afloat while losing key player after key player. Vegas technically holds a playoff spot but is behind the Dallas Stars in points percentage. There's still time for the Golden Knights to find their footing, but it feels like health is going to be a severe issue for them whether they sneak into the playoffs or not. If that's the case, they're not going to do much damage.

St. Louis Blues (+2100)

The Blues' record oversells them. They routinely get outshot and outchanced, which isn't a recipe for a sustained playoff run. I like their forwards, but the defense leaves a lot to be desired. I really thought they needed an impact defender who can help suppress chances and get play moving in the right direction. Nick Leddy isn't that.

Dallas Stars (+3500)

What is this team going to do? The Stars would be the final wild-card team if we went by points percentage, though they're currently out of the playoff picture. They have one legitimately good line and one good defensive pairing. Even if Dallas makes it to the playoffs, the team is likely to be pummelled by the Avalanche. And if the Stars grab the top wild-card spot? The end result would be the same against the Calgary Flames. Truth be told, this team would've been better served moving on from a guy like John Klingberg and netting a haul of future assets.

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

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We have a juicy 11-game slate on the docket Tuesday night, which means there's no shortage of player props to attack.

Let's dive into three of my favorites.

Jack Hughes over 3.5 shots (+105)

Jack Hughes is heating up, especially on home ice. The New Jersey Devils' star pivot has averaged a whopping 4.2 shots per game over the last 10 home dates.

I expect that trend to continue against the New York Rangers. While they're a strong team, the Rangers are prone to giving up shots in bunches, even more so to centers.

New York concedes 11.38 shots per game to the position, which is more than all but the lowly Montreal Canadiens (11.40). Look for Hughes to take advantage of this plus matchup.

Roope Hintz over 2.5 shots (-134)

There was a time when Roope Hintz was an automatic play during any game in Dallas. He registered at least three shots in 10 straight home contests to start the season. While Hintz has cooled off, he's still a guy you can comfortably back.

Hintz went over the number in his first meeting with the Edmonton Oilers this season. He also enters play Tuesday having registered at least three shots in three of his last four games in Dallas.

With Miro Heiskanen out of the lineup, the Stars are giving up more defensively. That puts greater emphasis on creating additional offense, which could help Hintz inflate his shot totals.

I like him in this spot against an Oilers team coming off a taxing overtime game against the Colorado Avalanche.

Noah Dobson over 2.5 shots (-112)

These are very generous odds for Noah Dobson. He leads the New York Islanders in shot attempts and shots on goal over the last 10 games. Now, Dobson finds himself in one of the best spots imaginable against the Ottawa Senators.

Only the Arizona Coyotes, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Devils have allowed more shots per game to defensemen than the Senators this season.

Ottawa gives up a lot to the position at the best of times, and now the team is without arguably its best player in Thomas Chabot. The Sens also play fairly high-event hockey, which should raise Dobson's ceiling.

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

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Thursday was a tough one for our shot props. Anze Kopitar came through for us while Brendan Gallagher and John Carlson both fell a shot shy, hitting the net on two of their four attempts.

We'll look to get back on a winning track and start the weekend off right.

Cam Atkinson over 2.5 shots (-150)

Cam Atkinson is the Philadelphia Flyers' most consistent shooting threat. He leads the team in shots on goal, scoring chances, goals, and expected goals on the year. While Travis Konecny's numbers over the last 10 games give him an edge, Atkinson is right on his tail.

Atkinson is a really attractive player to back, especially against a team like the Ottawa Senators. They have been one of the worst shot suppression teams in the league this season and their defense just took a huge hit with Thomas Chabot going down. The Senators also give up a ton of shot volume to right-wingers. Only the Detroit Red Wings have conceded more shots per game to the position.

With Claude Giroux sitting out and waiting for a trade, even more of the offensive load will fall on Atkinson's shoulders. Look for him to be heavily involved against Ottawa.

Johnny Gaudreau over 3.5 shots (+100)

Johnny Gaudreau has amassed 34 shots on goal over his last 10 home dates and is tied with Elias Lindholm for most shot attempts on the Calgary Flames during that period. He doesn't consistently hit four shots but he does hover around that number.

What attracts me to Gaudreau on Friday is the matchup. The Buffalo Sabres give up more shots to left-wingers than every team in the league. No side is even close to touching their ineptitude against the position.

For perspective, the difference in shots allowed between the Sabres and the closest team to them (Anaheim) is 54. That's the same gap as the one between the Ducks and the Nashville Predators, who rank 20th in shots against vs left-wingers.

Whether he finds the scoresheet or not, Gaudreau should be able to generate plenty of chances in this game.

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

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We have a juicy 10-game slate on the docket Thursday night, which means there's a ton of player props to comb through.

Let's take a closer look at three of my favorites.

Brendan Gallagher over 2.5 shots (-106)

Brendan Gallagher is always an attractive option on home soil. He has registered at least three shots in 59% of his home games, compared to a 45% success rate on the road.

There's plenty of reason to believe he'll hit again Thursday night. With Josh Anderson out of the lineup due to injury, Gallagher finds himself with more weight on his shoulders to provide offense on the right wing.

The matchup is also surprisingly good. Miro Heiskanen is out for the Dallas Stars, and they've given up shots at a much higher rate since he went down.

John Carlson over 2.5 shots (-118)

The Columbus Blue Jackets are one of the best teams to target with shot props, especially for defensemen. Only the Arizona Coyotes have allowed more shots and shots per game to blueliners.

Offensively gifted rearguards continue to find success against the Blue Jackets on a nightly basis. We saw that firsthand Wednesday as Thomas Chabot recorded five shots in eight minutes of ice time before leaving with an injury.

It's not reasonable to expect that level of efficiency again in this contest. However, a talent like John Carlson is worth backing in such an advantageous matchup.

Anze Kopitar over 2.5 shots (-106)

The San Jose Sharks have conceded shots at an alarming rate for quite some time. I figured getting some players healthy - such as Erik Karlsson - might help, but the Sharks continue to struggle defensively.

No matter the stretch you focus on - be it 15 games, 10 games, or five - San Jose ranks dead last in five-on-five attempts allowed per 60 minutes. They're giving up a ton of volume each and every night.

Anze Kopitar figures to be one of the prime beneficiaries. He has gone over the number (2.5) in 68% of his home contests this season and is taking on an even larger role with so many key players missing for the Los Angeles Kings.

He's also going up against one of the worst teams at defending against centers. Only seven clubs have allowed more shots per game to the position, and the Sharks find themselves moving further down the list every week.

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

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