NHL weekday betting preview: Leafs host pair of Cup contenders

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It sure is nice to have hockey back. Of course, with so many games to watch, it can be hard to find the time to properly dig into each matchup to find the best spots.

Well, now you don't have to. Here, we'll delve through the midweek slate so you have time to stop at the store on your way home from work to restock the beverage fridge.

Game betting

St. Louis Blues at Toronto Maple Leafs (Monday)

This will mark the fourth game in six nights for the Maple Leafs, who are coming off an emotionally taxing shootout loss to the Canadiens on Saturday night. The Blues come into this one rested and on a six-game winning streak against Toronto. Goals could be at a premium in this one.

Winnipeg Jets at Pittsburgh Penguins (Tuesday)

The Jets are looking for their first win in Pittsburgh since moving back to Winnipeg. They've lost all nine of their games away to the Penguins - 18 straight dating back to the Atlanta Thrashers days, with their last win coming in December 2006. This will also be the fourth contest in six nights for the Jets.

Los Angeles Kings at Calgary Flames (Tuesday)

Goals might be hard to come by when the Kings and Flames square off at the Saddledome. They had a run of five unders snapped in their final meeting of last season, while eight of their last 11 encounters have finished with fewer than 5.5 goals.

Tampa Bay Lightning at Toronto Maple Leafs (Thursday)

The Leafs certainly have their hands full this week as their date with the defending champion Blues is followed by a visit from the Cup favorite Lightning. Tampa will be rested, having been off since Sunday and should be motivated following its loss to the Hurricanes if Steven Stamkos' recent comments are anything to go by.

Detroit Red Wings at Montreal Canadiens (Thursday)

The Canadiens have won nine straight over the Red Wings, including six by at least two goals. The Bell Centre should be loud with this being the Habs' home opener. The puck line warrants a long look here.

Vegas Golden Knights at Arizona Coyotes (Thursday)

The Coyotes are still looking for their first victory over the Golden Knights in Arizona, with Vegas winning all four of its visits to the desert.

Game props

Buffalo Sabres at Columbus Blue Jackets (Monday)

Goals have been plentiful in the early stages of this season, and Monday night in Columbus should be no different. Nine of the last 10 meetings between the Sabres and Blue Jackets in Ohio have gone over 1.5 first-period goals.

San Jose Sharks at Nashville Predators (Tuesday)

Nashville's forwards must light up when they see a visit from the Sharks on the calendar. The Predators have scored 23 goals in their last four home games against San Jose. They've also potted at least four goals in each of their last seven contests at SAP Center versus the Sharks. Fire up that team total over.

Montreal Canadiens at Buffalo Sabres (Wednesday)

If you bet the over in the first period each time these two teams met over the past few years, you'd have flushed a large amount of money down the toilet. Just twice in the last 11 meetings have there been more than one goal in the first frame.

Calgary Flames at Dallas Stars (Thursday)

The Flames haven't scored a first-period goal in any of their last five visits to Dallas. The Stars haven't managed many either. None of those games have seen a first-period over hit. Calgary's team total under is worth a look here as well.

Vegas Golden Knights at Arizona Coyotes (Thursday)

As mentioned above, Vegas is 4-0 in franchise history in Phoenix. What wasn't mentioned is that the Coyotes have scored a combined six goals in those games. I'll take the under on that team total, thanks.

Player props

Detroit Red Wings at Montreal Canadiens (Thursday)

Brendan Gallagher will be rolling out the red carpet for the Red Wings. He's scored 13 goals in 21 career games against Detroit for a higher goals-per-game mark than he's managed against any other franchise. You should be able to get him at close to +200 to score in this one, too.

San Jose Sharks at Chicago Blackhawks (Thursday)

Tomas Hertl scored a goal in each of his three games against the Blackhawks last season, adding three total assists for good measure. Back him to score again Thursday. Alex Debrincat is worth a flier as well after scoring a trio of goals in as many contests against the Sharks in 2018-19.

Alex Moretto is a sports betting writer for theScore. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, is too impatient for futures, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.