NHL weekly betting preview: Habs-Bruins rivalry renewed

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There are some tasty games on tap this week as we head into the first midweek slate of November.

The highlights include a Pacific Division clash in Edmonton, an Original Six rivalry in Montreal, and a meeting between two of the league's highest-scoring teams in the Sunshine State. Here's your guide to betting all of those games and more:

Game betting

Arizona Coyotes at Edmonton Oilers (Monday)

All the talk to start the season was about how good the Central Division is, but it hasn't held a candle to the Pacific thus far. The Oilers lead with 21 points, while the Coyotes sit sixth despite an 8-4-1 record. Edmonton has steadied the ship with back-to-back wins but Arizona has caught fire and is the better team of the two. Back the Coyotes at even money Monday night.

Montreal Canadiens at Boston Bruins (Tuesday)

Little else gets the Bell Centre going quite like a visit from the big, bad Bruins does. This rivalry has simmered down a bit since the days of Tim Thomas and Carey Price dropping the gloves, but it still remains one of the most entertaining in hockey. The Bruins have their eyes fixed on this game as they start Jaroslav Halak on Monday against the Pittsburgh Penguins to save Tuuka Rask for Montreal. Still, the Canadiens are typically very strong at home, and with Boston traveling on a back-to-back, this is as good a spot as we can find these days to fade the Bruins. They'll deal Boston a rare loss Tuesday night.

St. Louis Blues at Vancouver Canucks (Tuesday)

These two teams would sit atop their respective divisions if you used points per game rather than total points. The Canucks are 4-0-1 at home this season, scoring at least five goals in half of their games, including five of their last six. That prowess will be put to the test against the defending Cup champions, though the Blues' defensive record on the road has been less than stellar. Goals shouldn't be in short supply in this one, which has all the makings of a fascinating watch.

Washington Capitals at Florida Panthers (Thursday)

Both teams will be rested for this game, as the Panthers last played Saturday and the Capitals most recently suited up a day later. Florida has quietly been an offensive powerhouse this season, while nine of Washington's last 10 games have gone over the total. Until they start setting the Capitals' totals at 7.5, there's no reason not to keep betting the over.

Vegas Golden Knights at Toronto Maple Leafs (Thursday)

Toronto has consistently been beaten at home by good teams this season, losing to the Blues, Capitals, and Tampa Bay Lightning. The line is always a bit inflated for the Maple Leafs - as tends to be the case for a public team - but these home games remain great spots to fade Toronto until it provides evidence to suggest it's finding its game. Vegas has not impressed on the road this season, but there is great value in backing the Golden Knights as underdogs.

Game props

Colorado Avalanche at Dallas Stars (Tuesday)

Injuries continue to plague the Avalanche, who have scored one goal or fewer in three of their last six contests. This is a tough game for them to rediscover their scoring touch, as they square off with a Stars team that rarely concedes at home. Playing Colorado's team total under 2.5 would appear to be the logical choice, but have a look at the first-period under instead. Scoring will be at a premium over the opening 20 minutes between these two; their last five meetings in Dallas have produced just three goals in the first frame.

Detroit Red Wings at New York Rangers (Wednesday)

Let's stick with the first-period unders here. There has been one goal or fewer scored during the initial 20 minutes in the last nine meetings between the Red Wings and Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Who are we to go against tradition?

Los Angeles Kings at Ottawa Senators (Thursday)

Just about anyone can score on the Kings these days, even the Senators. Los Angeles has allowed at least five goals in five of its seven road games this season, while Ottawa has scored at least four in four of its last six at home. The Senators should be attractively priced to go over the 3.5 team total and we should take advantage.

Player props

Los Angeles Kings at Toronto Maple Leafs (Tuesday)

The Maple Leafs could bring back Mike Komisarek and he would probably score in this game, so Auston Matthews definitely should. He's scored 10 of his 11 goals at home this season and will have ample opportunity to continue that trend against Los Angeles on Tuesday night.

Washington Capitals at Florida Panthers (Thursday)

Brett Connolly has got his Panthers career off to a strong start with five goals through the first 14 games. Look for him to add to his tally against his former team in what will be his first contest against the Capitals after spending the last three years in Washington.

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.