NHL Monday best bets: Back Blackhawks to get 1st win
We concluded the week on a high note, as the Boston Bruins and Los Angeles Kings both came through with victories Saturday night.
We'll now look to pick up where we left off. Let's dive into our best bets for Monday's three-game slate.
Senators (+105) @ Blackhawks (-125)
I was down on the Blackhawks heading into the season. I thought they were very overrated following a few noisy additions in the summer and there was value in betting them to miss the playoffs.
But I never expected a woeful 0-7-2 start. Chicago is one of two teams without a win, and, in many categories, the tanking Coyotes have actually outperformed the Blackhawks. It's bad.
Despite all that, Chicago is a tempting side to back Monday. Patrick Kane (COVID-19 protocol) should return to the lineup in this one, which would provide a much-needed spark to the offense.
And, as poor as Marc-Andre Fleury has played to date, it seems more than reasonable to suggest Chicago has a clear edge in goal over Matt Murray.
Chicago is also flat-out due for a win. You generally don't bet teams because "they're due," but this is the NHL. Even the worst teams, usually, are going to win two or three of every 10 games.
While Chicago has obviously played poorly thus far, the extreme record is undeserved. At five-on-five, expected goals for are 16.82-12.61 in favor of Chicago's opponents. Actual goals: 29-7. The Blackhawks are deserving of a -4 goal differential but instead sit at -22.
Sooner or later, the pendulum is going to swing. This team isn't going to continue shooting 4% at five-on-five, and Fleury isn't going to continue playing like a pumpkin. Eventually, they're going to start finding some level of success.
A home date against an underwhelming Ottawa Senators team seems like a good time for that to happen.
Bet: Blackhawks (-125)
Player prop
There isn't a ton of value to be found on Monday's games themselves, so we're turning to player props.
I'm going right back to Chicago against Ottawa and backing Alex DeBrincat's shot total (2.5) to go over the number. He has attempted 59 shots through nine games, averaging more than 6.5 per contest. He's shooting every chance he gets, and he should see plenty of chances against the Senators.
Ottawa is allowing 61.05 shot attempts per 60 minutes of five-on-five play, good for 30th in the league. This is a dream matchup for a volume shooter like DeBrincat.
Bet: Alex DeBrincat over 2.5 shots on goal (-130)
Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.