NHL Monday best bets: Tkachuk brothers take center stage
Headlined by the Tkachuk Bowl, there are six games on an abnormally fruitful Monday night slate.
Let's take a look at the best ways to attack them.
Panthers (-125) @ Senators (+110)
The Panthers are a solid defensive team, but their high-powered offense doesn't shy away from a track meet if needed. That always seems to be the case when they square off against the Senators.
Since last season - the beginning of the Matthew Tkachuk era in Florida - the Panthers have met Brady Tkachuk and the Senators thrice.
The two sides combined to score 24 goals (eight per contest) while going over a 6.5 total in each meeting. The shot outputs suggest that was by no means a coincidence.
They generated a whopping 233 shots on goal over the course of three meetings. That's 77.6 per game, approximately 15 more than you'd expect in an average NHL contest.
If we see anywhere close to that volume in this game, I expect the two sides to soar past the total.
Sergei Bobrovsky owns a .906 save percentage this season and has graded out roughly even in terms of goals saved above expected. He's playing adequate hockey but is by no means stealing games for the Panthers.
Joonas Korpisalo has conceded at least three goals in four of his past five starts and is just returning from a minor injury. This isn't the ideal spot to ease back into things.
With all the firepower featured in this game, as well as mediocre goaltending and a shaky Senators defense, there are a lot of pathways to goals. Expect a bunch of them.
Bet: Over 6.5 (-140)
Capitals (-215) @ Sharks (+180)
I am the furthest thing from a Capitals believer, yet I still think this price is too short.
For all the Capitals' faults, they're an opportunistic team going up against the NHL's worst shot-suppression side. The Sharks rank dead last in shots allowed per game and are showing no signs of improvement.
They also take minor penalties at a high rate, averaging nearly 3.75 per game. Only seven teams have been more undisciplined.
Although the Capitals haven't converted many chances into goals, they've piled up quality looks while on the man advantage. It's only a matter of time before a unit featuring power-play specialists like Alexander Ovechkin, and John Carlson starts to find the back of the net.
The Sharks rank dead last in expected goals allowed - and 30th in goals against - per 60 minutes of shorthanded play. They should be just what the doctor ordered.
On the flip side, the Capitals don't take many penalties. They're unlikely to provide the Sharks with many power-play opportunities, forcing the league's worst five-on-five offense to do damage. I don't see that happening.
Look for the Capitals to rebound from an ugly defeat with a regulation win over the Sharks.
Bet: Capitals in regulation (-130)
Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @ToddCordell.