All posts by Todd Cordell

NHL Tuesday player props: Heiskanen, Giroux to take fire

We are coming off yet another successful night with shot props, as Victor Hedman and Zach Werenski each went over their totals of 2.5 on Monday.

Those wins pushed our record to 8-1 on the year for shot props. We'll look to keep the heater going during Tuesday's 11-game slate.

Miro Heiskanen over 2.5 shots (+115)

We targeted the Detroit Red Wings with our props on Monday and we're going right back to the well.

Detroit has allowed 62.23 shot attempts per 60 minutes of five-on-five play over the last 10 games. That ranks them 29th in the NHL over that span.

They're having a tough time in their own zone and I don't see that changing in the latter half of back-to-back road games.

Heiskanen leads the Dallas Stars in shot attempts and shots on goal this season. He's recorded at least three shots on target in seven of his last nine games and we're getting plus money on him to do it again against a fatigued team bleeding looks.

Take the value and back a great player in a great spot.

Claude Giroux over 2.5 shots (-105)

The Calgary Flames are a good defensive side. But, even after adjusting for that, this number seems out of line.

Claude Giroux has averaged 3.15 shots on goal per game this season. His best work has come on home soil, where he's been remarkably consistent as a shooter. Philadelphia's captain has recorded at least three shots on goal in five of six contests at home.

The Flyers are fully rested and can get their best weapons in favorable matchups, while the Flames are playing their fourth road game in six nights. They won't have their legs to try and neutralize opposing attacks.

Bonus round: Aaron Ekblad over 2.5 (-115). Ekblad is Florida's leader in shot attempts and shots per game. As mentioned in prior articles, the Islanders have struggled to limit shots, particularly against high-end defenders. Their opponent's No. 1 blue-liner has recorded at least three shots on goal in four consecutive games.

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.

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NHL Tuesday best bets: Jets to fly high at home

Monday was a strong night on the ice as both of our player props hit at plus money.

With 11 games on Tuesday's slate, we can get back to playing some sides and totals as well.

Let's dive into a couple of my favorites.

Oilers (-115) @ Jets (-105)

The Oilers are a good team but they still have flaws, especially defensively.

Over the last 10 games, Edmonton ranks 29th in expected goals against and dead last in high-danger chances allowed at five-on-five. They bleed quality chances - they just have the firepower to outscore their problems.

I'm not sure they'll be able to do that on Tuesday. The Jets lead the NHL in high-danger chances over the last 10 games. They're constantly creating Grade A looks, which is bad news for a team struggling to prevent them.

Conversely, the Jets have been an above-average team of late at suppressing chances, and it doesn't hurt to have 2020 Vezina winner Connor Hellebuyck there to clean up any mess made in front of them.

Beyond edges in goal and current five-on-five form, this is also a big schedule win for the Jets. They're rested, they're at home, and they haven't been forced to travel since October.

Meanwhile, Edmonton is playing its fifth road game since last Tuesday and its fourth in six nights.

I see plenty of value on the home underdogs.

Bet: Jets (-105)

Predators (+170) @ Maple Leafs (-200)

The Nashville Predators tend to play low-event games. They don't generate a ton of chances and do a pretty good job of limiting the danger in front of Juuse Saros.

Simply put, they try and suck the life out of each game. That plan is even more evident with Filip Forsberg out of the mix.

Nashville ranks 27th in expected goal generation over the last 10 games. On the flip side, they sit fourth in expected goal suppression.

Believe it or not, the Maple Leafs have also effectively protected the danger zones in front of Jack Campbell. They slot eighth in xGA per 60 over the last 10.

Each team is defending well, and each team has reason to expect a quality start from their netminder.

Saros sits 12th in goals saved above expectation this season; Campbell grades out even better, sitting fourth.

Don't expect a ton of goals in this one.

Bet: Under 5.5 (-105)

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.

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NHL division odds: New favorites emerge after season’s 1st month

It's crazy how fast things can change.

We're a hair over a month into the 2021-22 NHL season and the landscape of the league is drastically different than it was expected to be.

Shockingly, each division leader entered the season with +350 odds - or longer - of claiming the crown. The Minnesota Wild (+800 then; +260 now) are the biggest risers, but there's no shortage of them.

Let's take a look at how each division is shaping up and where the value may sit moving forward.

Atlantic Division

Team Nov. 15 Odds Oct. Odds
Florida Panthers +110 +350
Toronto Maple Leafs +300 +220
Tampa Bay Lightning +400 +180
Boston Bruins +500 +300
Detroit Red Wings +5000 +15000
Montreal Canadiens +15000 +4000
Ottawa Senators +20000 +15000
Buffalo Sabres +20000 +20000

The Florida Panthers are rightfully the biggest riser, but I think the movement was a little too drastic. The Panthers are only two points clear of the Toronto Maple Leafs - and three clear of the Tampa Bay Lightning, should they maintain their current pace in points per game - while getting unsustainably good goaltending from starter Sergei Bobrovsky. It's very encouraging that he looks to have turned back the clock, but he's not going to post a .940 save percentage forever. When he regresses, Florida's small lead might disappear.

I actually think the value lies with Toronto here. The Leafs have looked dominant at five-on-five this season, controlling better than 55% of the expected goals. Only the Minnesota Wild rank ahead of them in that regard. As mentioned, Toronto is just two points back of the Panthers, and that's while sitting 28th in shooting percentage; that's unlikely to continue with all the firepower the team possesses. Despite their strong play, the Leafs' implied chance of winning the division is lower than it was when the season started. Take advantage of that.

Metro Division

Team Nov. 15 odds Oct. odds
Carolina Hurricanes +180 +400
Washington Capitals +330 +450
New York Islanders +550 +350
New York Rangers +600 +400
Pittsburgh Penguins +800 +500
Philadelphia Flyers +1200 +550
New Jersey Devils +3000 +1800
Columbus Blue Jackets +5000 +15000

The Carolina Hurricanes are off to a remarkable 11-2-0 start, which has them sitting atop the league in points percentage. As such, their implied chances of winning the Metro have risen 15%. Rightfully so. Their underlying profile looks very strong, with the Hurricanes sitting third in Corsi For percentage and eighth in high-danger chance percentage. They're a very good team. The big question mark was goaltending, and yet they lead the league in save percentage a season after finishing third with a completely different tandem. It may just be Carolina plays a style conducive to goaltending success.

All that said, the Capitals were the team we isolated as the best bet prior to the season, and the odds have shifted in our favor since. They're tied with Carolina in raw points, they have a very strong goal differential, and they've piled up the points even without Nicklas Backstrom and, more recently, T.J. Oshie due to injury. The Caps are hanging around just fine, and there are reinforcements on the way. At this point, they look like the only real challengers for Carolina.

Pacific Division

Team Nov. 15 odds Oct. odds
Edmonton Oilers -120 +550
Vegas Golden Knights +300 -280
Calgary Flames +380 +1500
LA Kings +2500 +1800
Anaheim Ducks +4000 +20000
San Jose Sharks +4000 +6000
Seattle Kraken +6000 +1000
Vancouver Canucks +6000 +1400

With respect to the Anaheim Ducks, who've played very well thus far, I think this is shaping up to be a three-horse race. The Edmonton Oilers own a 11-3-0 record and, at times, have looked unbeatable due to the dominance of their superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. The level of play they've reached on a consistent basis has risen the team to heights not thought to be possible. While the Oilers still have flaws - their bottom six gives a lot back at five-on-five - it might just be possible for their big guns to outscore their problems.

I see real value on the Vegas Golden Knights here, though. They've kept themselves within striking distance despite an almost unfathomable amount of injuries. Their best player, Mark Stone, is finally healthy again, and more help will be coming as time passes. This team is going to get better and better, which is a scary thought considering Vegas is only four points back of Edmonton despite using what feels like half of its AHL lineup on a nightly basis.

While I probably wouldn't jump on the Calgary Flames at a high point, I'm very happy holding a ticket for the team I deemed the best value prior to the season. They're top five in Corsi and expected goals at five-on-five. Their special teams are very good, and Jacob Markstrom has looked the part of a Vezina contender. There doesn't appear to be a single glaring weakness with this team, which leads me to believe their strong start isn't smoke and mirrors.

Central Division

Team Nov. 15 odds Oct. odds
Colorado Avalanche +120 -340
Minnesota Wild +260 +800
St. Louis Blues +450 +1500
Winnipeg Jets +800 +1500
Nashville Predators +1800 +6000
Dallas Stars +2500 +800
Chicago Blackhawks +10000 +2200
Arizona Coyotes +100000 +10000

What a difference a month makes. The Avalanche were massive division favorites, given an implied chance of 77.4% to win the Central.

Fast forward just over 30 days and the Avalanche - favored to win the Presidents' Trophy - sit fifth in their own division. Making matters worse is the Avs, who've dealt with plenty of injury concerns, will be without Nathan MacKinnon for the foreseeable future. They're getting healthier, especially on defense, but I think the odds are about where they should be. While they're the team most likely to prevail, the race is more open than expected.

Minnesota has a very real chance of claiming the crown. No team has controlled a larger share of the expected goals at five-on-five than the Central leaders. That's encouraging. The Wild figure to benefit from better goaltending moving forward as well; the same tandem that currently ranks 28th in five-on-five save percentage slotted 14th a season ago.

I also feel good about the Winnipeg Jets, who were our best bet prior to the campaign. A rejuvenated Pierre-Luc Dubois has helped breathe life into an already potent offense, and the Jets have a chance every night with Connor Hellebuyck in net.

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.

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NHL weekend preview: Back Toronto to extinguish the Flames

We had a solid night on the ice Thursday. Powered by a 3-0 record on shot props, we finished with a 4-2 record across our best bets.

We'll look to build on that with our favorite plays for the weekend ahead.

Flames (+145) @ Maple Leafs (-165)
Nov. 12, 7 p.m. EST

The Maple Leafs are better than their record indicates. They rank second in the NHL in expected goals for percentage at five-on-five. No team has generated more scoring chances or high-danger opportunities than the Leafs. It's not even close, really; they're 66 clear of Florida in the former and 21 ahead of Detroit(!) in the latter.

Despite that, they actually have a negative goal differential at full strength. A big reason why is their team shooting percentages. They rank 27th overall and 26th on high-danger shots. That's not going to continue given all the high-end talent they possess.

What could help them get right in this spot is a Daniel Vladar start. Jacob Markstrom (6.1 goals saved above expectation thus far) is expected to get the night off. But no official announcement has been made, Markstrom's started seven in a row, and this is Calgary's third game in four nights. We're going to put two and two together here.

Vladar isn't as equipped to slow Toronto's attack. He owns a .887 save percentage through seven career games and has allowed 1.5 more goals than expected over his first couple of contests with Calgary.

The Flames are a good team, but the Leafs are playing very well right now, they're rested, and they have the edge in goal based on projected starters (Vladar versus Jack Campbell).

Bet: Leafs in regulation (-115)

Canadiens (+100) @ Red Wings (-120)
Nov. 13, 7 p.m. EST

The Canadiens were an absolute tire fire to start the year, but they appear to be righting the ship.

They own a respectable 2-2-1 record over their last five games and have downright dominated at five-on-five in that span. They've controlled 60% of the expected goals and won the high-danger chance battle 61-38.

Dictating play is half the battle. The other is capitalizing on the chances generated. Right now, the Canadiens are doing both, as Nick Suzuki, Brendan Gallagher, and the team's stars are starting to pile up the points and perform up to expectations.

The Red Wings are a fun story, and they're playing well. But they still have shortcomings defensively and on the penalty kill.

I expect Montreal to get the better of play at five-on-five and its power play, which is trending upward, is in a good spot to do some damage as well.

Bet: Montreal -110 or better.

Quick hit: With Joonas Korpisalo expected to start tonight, back the Washington Capitals (-125).

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.

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NHL Thursday player props: 3 shot totals to target

Shot props are back for tonight's busy 11-game slate. We're 3-1 on the season - falling one Craig Smith shot short of 4-0 - and looking to keep the good times going.

Let's dive into our best bets.

Thomas Chabot over 2.5 shots (-110)

Chabot was good to us last week, so we might as well go back to our old friend. These odds may have lost a little bit of their juice already, but value remains on him to go over.

The blue-liner is logging more than 27 minutes per contest for the Senators. That's insane usage, which leads to plenty of shot opportunities - even more so on home ice. Chabot is averaging nearly seven attempts and 3.3 shots on target through seven home games, which puts his shot prop in play against anybody at anything close to even money. The above-average matchup works in his favor, too.

The Kings are banged up on defense, and it shows. Los Angeles is giving up volume on a nightly basis. Opponents have generated more than 61 attempts per 60 at five-on-five over the last five games, placing the Kings 26th in the NHL.

Since Chabot is a willing shooter and logs an absurd amount of minutes, he stands to benefit the most from this matchup. And on top of that, this is expected to be a close contest - it's a low-game total with the money line odds priced nearly evenly.

If this one does turn out to be neck and neck, Chabot is not going to leave the ice. Back him to go over the number once again.

Sam Bennett over 2.5 shots on goal (+100)

Bennett averages six shot attempts per game. Bennett averages nearly 3.5 shots on goal per game. Bennett has gone over the number in six of eight games this campaign for the Panthers (including against the Penguins), falling just one shot shy in each of the other two.

Despite all of those fun facts, you can get plus money backing him to go over the number.

Pittsburgh is a good defensive team, but - as pointed out - when successfully picking Patrick Kane to go over his total, the team gives up shots. The Penguins are more focused on preventing quality than quantity.

With the implied odds of a coin flip, I like Bennett to get there tonight.

Bonus round: If you're hungry for more, Aaron Ekblad over 2.5 shots (-125) also stands out. He leads Florida in total attempts this season and registered six shots the last time these two sides met. Pittsburgh generally keeps shots to the outside, which is not something that will hurt Ekblad.

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.

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NHL Thursday best bets: Goals will be scarce in Canada’s capital

Wednesday served us up yet another split. The Maple Leafs blanked the Flyers, but the Stars lost for the sixth time in seven games to put us back to square one.

We'll aim for more with our best bets on this busy Thursday.

Oilers (+125) @ Bruins (-145)

Stepping in front of Connor McDavid is always a scary thought, but we're going to try our luck.

The Oilers aren't as good as their record indicates. Nobody's doubting their star power, but the team remains too top-heavy. That's why, despite owning a remarkable 9-2-0 mark, they've been outchanced and are only +1 at five-on-five.

Edmonton is relying on the power play to do the heavy lifting, which it's clearly capable of. But being so reliant on the man advantage could be problematic against a team like the Bruins.

Led by Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, and Charlie McAvoy, Boston is once again a strong penalty-killing side. The Bruins rank sixth in chances against per 60 and seventh in suppressing expected goals. They don't give up much in the way of quality looks.

They're also not one to spoon-feed opponents opportunities with the extra man. Only seven teams have spent fewer minutes killing penalties this season.

A lot of this game should be played at five-on-five, where the Bruins look to have a big edge. They rank third in expected goals share at 56%, while the Oilers sit 19th at 49%.

Expect Boston's five-on-five edge to shine through in this one.

Bet: Bruins (-145)

Wild (-105) @ Golden Knights (-115)

It's a day that ends with "y," and you know what that means: We're fading the Golden Knights.

Mark Stone and Nolan Patrick are starting to practice and could return in the near future, providing some much-needed skill and depth to the Golden Knights' forward group. Assuming they're out Thursday, though, the value remains on their opponents.

The Wild are off to a strong 9-3-0 start, and they're full value for it. They've steamrolled their opponents, controlling a league-leading 58% of the expected goals share at five-on-five.

Vegas, as undermanned as the team is, has unsurprisingly struggled in that game state. Its xG share at five-on-five sits at 45%, good for 29th in the NHL.

Yes, the Golden Knights are rested and at home. But a healthy Minnesota side is far superior to this version of Vegas' team, and the Wild have saved their best goaltender - Cam Talbot - for Thursday's game.

Bet: Wild -105.

Kings (-110) @ Senators (-110)

This game screams under to me. The Kings are a defensive-minded team playing its third game in four nights. Los Angeles will undoubtedly try to bottle things up, which it's well-equipped to do with Anze Kopitar and Phillip Danault centering the top two lines.

On the flip side, the Senators are dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak. They're missing a handful of regulars, including speedsters Connor Brown and Alex Formenton. Ottawa's forward depth isn't impressive at the best of times, so losing them is problematic.

I expect the Senators to play a simple, north-south-style game. They don't have much in the way of quick-strike attackers, and the quality they do have should see a lot of Kopitar and/or Danault.

The goaltending matchup is also much better than it seems on paper. Jonathan Quick has been surprisingly good thus far, saving 4.9 goals above expectation through seven starts. He's in the same ballpark as Jacob Markstrom, Robin Lehner, and Andrei Vasilevskiy on a per-game basis.

Meanwhile, Filip Gustavsson has outperformed Ottawa's regular tandem of Matt Murray and Anton Forsberg. Gustavsson's not just some random recall; he's an NHL goaltender.

Don't expect much action in this one.

Bet: Under 5.5 goals (+100)

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.

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NHL Wednesday best bets: Stars to rebound at home

It was a tough night for us on the ice Tuesday. The Bruins were unable to convert on several empty-net opportunities to seal a multi-goal victory. Meanwhile, the Kraken disappointed us once again due to poor goaltending, with Chris Driedger conceding four goals on just 23 shots (.826 save percentage) in a 4-2 loss.

We'll aim to bounce back with our best bets for tonight's three-game slate.

Predators (+120) @ Stars (-140)

The Stars enter this game having dropped five of their last six contests, but they're playing significantly better than the results would indicate.

At five-on-five, Dallas has out-chanced its opposition by 31 during this losing skid. The team has controlled 55.6% of the chances and 54.9% of the expected goals. Those are encouraging signs for their underlying process, but they just haven't been able to score.

Despite getting John Klingberg and Jason Robertson back healthy, the Stars have been unable to finish anything, scoring on just 4.5% of their five-on-five shots over the last six games.

Put another way, opposing goaltenders posted a .955 save percentage against Dallas. Even if they're a subpar finishing team, that's simply not going to last.

At some point, the chances will start to go. What's important is they continue to create more than they give up.

I like their chances of doing just that against the Predators. Their share of the xG is trending downward and things aren't going to get any easier with forwards Filip Forsberg and Nick Cousins now out with injuries.

This seems like a good get-right spot for the Stars at home, especially if Juuse Saros doesn't get the nod for Nashville. He's been one of the best goaltenders since the beginning of last season, while David Rittich's a mediocre backup who appears to have peaked in 2018-19. Rittich hasn't started a game this year, so this seems like a probable spot for his debut.

Bet: Stars (-140)

Maple Leafs (-130) @ Flyers (+110)

The Maple Leafs are annoyingly inconsistent at times, but this is a good matchup for them to bounce back after laying an egg on Monday night.

For all of its faults, Toronto is still an elite offensive team. The Leafs are among the very best at generating shots and scoring chances in bulk.

They rank second in shot attempts at five-on-five per 60 and first in high-danger chances per 60. The quantity and quality are there.

The Flyers are off to a strong start, but there's reason to believe it's just smoke and mirrors. They rank fifth in shooting percentage and third in save percentage, which has masked a lot of their problems, particularly on defense.

Life without Ryan Ellis hasn't been pleasant, and he remains out for tonight's game. Philadelphia ranks 27th in expected goals against per 60 and 28th in high-danger chances against.

So, a Flyers team that bleeds dangerous looks is going up against the league's best at generating high-danger chances. That's not a recipe for success for Philadelphia.

John Tavares' status is in question following an injury Monday night. If you want to wait for an update before pulling the trigger, by all means, do so.

But I think the Flyers have punched above their weight and expect them to come back to earth - at least to an extent - sooner rather than later.

Bet: Maple Leafs -130

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.

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NHL Tuesday player props: Targeting volume shooters

We cleaned up with our best bets last time out, as Mathew Barzal and Thomas Chabot both went over their shot totals inside the first 40 minutes of their contests.

Let's hope we can find similar results during Tuesday's 10-game slate.

Craig Smith over 2.5 shots on goal (+125)

The Ottawa Senators are one of my favorite teams to target for shot props. Why? Simply put, they bleed shots.

They've allowed 67.47 shot attempts per 60 minutes at five-on-five over the last six games, which ranks 31st in the NHL.

I don't see the Senators tightening the screws against one of the league's best shot-generating teams, especially since they're missing a couple of regulars due to COVID-19 protocols.

While David Pastrnak and Patrice Bergeron are the sexy targets, I think the most value lies with Smith.

For years, he's been one of the NHL's most efficient shot takers, particularly at five-on-five. He'll avoid Ottawa's best players - Brady Tkachuk, Josh Norris, etc. - and instead see a lot of the team's underwhelming middle-six.

Smith has recorded three shots or more in five of his last six meetings against the Senators, averaging five shots per game in that time.

That dates back to 2018, sure, but this Ottawa team has consistently bled shots over the years, and this season looks to be no different.

There's real value at +125.

Patrick Kane over 3.5 shots on goal (+110)

The Pittsburgh Penguins are a strong defensive side. They do a good job of keeping teams to the outside and suppressing high-danger chances. They're only in the middle of the pack at preventing shot attempts, though. That's good news for those willing to shoot from range, such as Patrick Kane.

Kane is averaging more than seven shot attempts, and nearly five shots on goal, per game. He's been even more potent at home.

The 32-year-old Kane is averaging 8.2 attempts, and 5.4 shots on goal, in his own building. That's hardly surprising given that his line is placed in as many favorable situations as possible.

While the Penguins aren't near the top of my target list, it's not as if they're a black hole where shots go to die.

Kane doesn't even have to match his season averages to hit this number, and we're getting plus money for him to do it.

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.

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NHL Tuesday best bets: Bruins to beat up stumbling Senators

Monday was a mixed bag on the ice. We rightfully saw value on the New York Rangers as home underdogs against a banged-up Florida Panthers side. Unfortunately, we couldn't complete the double-dip as Florida netted a pair of goals inside the final 90 seconds to spoil the under.

We'll look to improve Tuesday as we comb through our best bets for an action-packed 10-game slate.

Kraken (+100) @ Golden Knights (-125)

We've been fading the Golden Knights - and backing the Kraken - quite often of late, so it'd only make sense for that trend to continue with the two sides set to meet Tuesday.

The Golden Knights remain without four top-nine forwards, and that's not including the newly acquired Jack Eichel. They have very little scoring pop, play-driving ability, or depth due to all the injuries.

This has proven to be problematic, as Vegas ranks 28th in expected goals share at five-on-five over the last 10 games.

That's less than ideal when heading into a date with the Kraken. Seattle is controlling better than 55% of the xG at five-on-five over the last 10 contests, which ranks fifth during that span.

The Kraken play a smothering brand of hockey. The reason they haven't been successful to this point is, by and large, goaltending. Philipp Grubauer owns a .886 save percentage through 10 starts and has conceded more goals above expectation than all but Marc-Andre Fleury and Carter Hutton. Not good.

Luckily, Chris Driedger, one of the NHL's save percentage leaders since entering the league, appears healthy and is expected to get the nod in goal Tuesday. He doesn't need to be a savior, though. If he can just make the saves he's supposed to, the Kraken should be in good shape, considering they're likely to get the better of the chances at five-on-five.

Bet: Kraken (+100)

Senators (+250) @ Bruins (-300)

The Senators enter play on a four-game losing skid, and it's tough to envision that ending in Boston.

Ottawa is playing terrible hockey right now. The Senators rank 29th in expected goals against per 60 at five-on-five during this losing streak and have controlled only 43% of the xG.

By comparison, the Bruins have controlled a whopping 58% of the xG over the same period of time. They're dominating the run of play, which should continue at home in such a favorable matchup.

This is also a fantastic spot for Boston's power play to get on track. Only the injury-plagued Golden Knights have given up scoring chances at a higher clip on the penalty kill than Ottawa.

The Bruins have advantages across the board, which will become even more evident with the Senators a little undermanned due to an internal COVID-19 outbreak. That means a few regulars - headlined by Connor Brown - will be unavailable for this game.

Expect Boston to take care of business with relative ease.

Bet: Bruins -1.5 (-115)

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.

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‘Rocket’ Richard odds update: Matthews falling as competition tightens

The 2021-22 NHL campaign is already roughly 12% finished and we've seen very little separation in the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy race.

Leon Draisaitl and Alex Ovechkin lead the pack with 10 goals each, double the current tally of preseason favorite Auston Matthews. Competition is fierce with 18 players having found the back of the net at least seven times this season.

Can Draisaitl and Ovechkin sustain their strong starts? Can Matthews make up lost ground? Let's dive in.

PLAYER ODDS (NOV. 8) ODDS (OCT. 8)
Auston Matthews +400 +350
Connor McDavid +400 +750
Alex Ovechkin +600 +1000
Leon Draisaitl +800 +700
David Pastrnak +1200 +1200
Alex DeBrincat +1700 +1700
Kirill Kaprizov +1700 +1700
Kyle Connor +1700 +1700
Mika Zibanejad +1700 +1700
Nathan MacKinnon +1700 +1700
Brayden Point +2000 +2000
Mikko Rantanen +2000 +2000
Nikita Kucherov +2000 +2000
Sebastian Aho +2000 +2000

Only listing players 20-1 or shorter.

Auston Matthews (+400)

The Maple Leafs' superstar center is already five goals behind Ovechkin and Draisaitl for top spot. Even so, the market doesn't seem overly concerned. His odds of winning have only dropped from 22.5% to 20%, and it's easy to see why. Matthews has missed three games and yet he's tied for second in the NHL in scoring chances. He's creating quality looks at an insanely high rate, and there's no doubt he has the talent to make the most of them. His shooting percentage (12.8%) will almost certainly rise in time. That, along with all the chances he's creating, is a recipe for success.

Connor McDavid (+400)

McDavid is a very real threat to win this award. He's known more for his playmaking, of course, but he is becoming more of a goal-scorer as time goes on. He has the ability to make something out of nothing - as we saw Friday against the Rangers - and is now unleashing a new and improved one-timer on a regular basis. McDavid ranks fourth in expected goals, so the quality looks are there in bulk. Expect McDavid to be in the mix until the end.

Alex Ovechkin (+600)

Ovechkin was one of the guys we backed during the preseason. Quite frankly, +1000 felt egregious for the generation's best and highest-volume shooter. It's still early, but getting that number sure feels like robbery. Ovechkin leads the league in shot attempts and shots on goal, and he appears completely unbothered by the absence of his usual running mate, Nicklas Backstrom.

Leon Draisaitl (+800)

Getting the current co-leader at +800 seems like a steal. However, the picture isn't as promising beneath the surface. Draisaitl is doing a fantastic job of getting into dangerous areas when he does shoot; the problem is a lack of volume. More than 40 players - 43, to be exact - have recorded more shots on goal. That's problematic because, as good as Draisaitl is, he won't shoot 30% forever. His career average is 17.4% and he's finished above 20% just once. He really needs to increase the shot volume if he's going to challenge for the "Rocket" Richard.

David Pastrnak (+1000)

Pastrnak is one of the game's best finishers but something is off this year. I think these odds imply a much better chance than Pastrnak actually has based on what we've seen. Pastrnak ranks 54th in expected goals, and 79 players have recorded more scoring chances. He has the talent to score from range but is simply not generating enough quality or quantity to pile up goals at the necessary rate to compete for this award.

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.

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