NHL Monday betting preview: Looking at 2 all-Canadian matchups

A shootout loss for the Stars forced a split on Saturday, though we still took home a small profit thanks to backing a pair of 'dogs.

It takes us to 10-2 in our last 12 bets as we look to keep the momentum going Monday.

Jets (+115) @ Oilers (-135)

I predicted the Jets to make the playoffs, and I'm feeling good about that a month into the campaign. They've been pretty strong thus far but are due for some regression. Through 14 games, they've played the Maple Leafs and Canadiens just once combined and have met the Senators five times.

Despite the soft schedule, the Jets are one of the league's worst teams at five-on-five, sitting 30th with just 43.96% of the expected goal share. They've owned a 50%-plus share just once over their last six games - in Saturday's loss to the Senators. The Oilers haven't exactly been incredible in this regard, but they're at least middle-of-the-pack with a 49.65% mark. Seven of Edmonton's 16 games have also come against the division's top two teams.

The Oilers are due for some positive regression. This is a kind price for them on home ice, especially with Pierre-Luc Dubois set to miss out again for Winnipeg.

Pick: Oilers (-135)

Flames (-130) @ Canucks (+110)

The weight of a province was lifted off the Canucks on Saturday night. Having lost six straight, the Canucks were devoid of confidence and playing themselves out of the playoff picture. Playing eight of their first 16 games against the Leafs and Habs didn't help, but there was a lot more to it.

And it was a tough spot for them to be in. Firing Travis Green after last season's playoff run would have been a mistake. Quarantine rules make trading difficult - the Canucks wouldn't want to potentially wait two weeks after a deal for a spark, given the urgency of their situation. The answers had to come from within.

They put in great performances in the series finale against the Leafs and the opener versus the Flames but didn't have a single point to show for it. Desperation was surely setting in, and it showed on Saturday. The Canucks put forth arguably their best performance of the season in a 3-1 win over the Flames, outshooting them 46-19 and controlling 62.37% of the expected goal share at five-on-five. Even Jacob Markstrom's heroics weren't enough for Calgary. It was exactly the sort of performance and result that the Canucks needed, and now they need to build off it.

Calgary is likely to turn to David Rittich tonight with Markstrom starting each of the last five games, and the difference between the two is massive. I'd wait for confirmation before locking this in, but assuming Rittich gets the nod, there's great value - despite any potential small change to the line - on the Canucks to make it back-to-back wins.

Pick: Canucks (+110)

(Odds source: theScore Bet)

Alex Moretto is theScore's supervising editor of sports betting. 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, despises how the NHL handles starting goalie announcements, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.

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