Washington Capitals forward Garnet Hathaway was given a match penalty Monday night for spitting on Anaheim Ducks defenseman Erik Gudbranson after a gigantic scrum broke out late in the second period.

The incident occurred at the tail end of a skirmish stemming from a hit by Capitals forward Brendan Leipsic. He flattened his opponent behind the net and multiple fights broke out as Chandler Stephenson buried the loose puck to extend Washington's lead to 3-0.

The Ducks were predictably incensed with Hathaway after the game.

"That's about as low as you can dig a peg," Gudbranson told Stephen Whyno of The Associated Press.

"Probably the most disrespectful thing you can do," forward Derek Grant added, according to Whyno.

Six different players were handed penalties amid the chaos, though Hathaway is likely the only one of the bunch facing supplemental discipline from the league.

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With speculation about his job security running rampant, Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock is confident he'll get his team back on track.

"I'm gonna do it as hard as I can, as long as I can. I've always bet on Mike Babcock, I'll continue to bet on him," the Leafs' bench boss told TSN on Monday.

Babcock is on the hot seat with the Maple Leafs mired in a five-game losing streak and outside the playoff picture. The club has looked listless in several recent efforts, and Toronto ranks in the bottom portion of the league in power-play efficiency (16.7%), penalty kill (75%), and expected goals at five-on-five (48.3%).

The 56-year-old is in his fifth season with the Maple Leafs after signing an eight-year contract that made him the highest-paid coach in NHL history, earning $6.25 million per season.

"I'm in a pretty good spot in my life, my kids are grown. If my kids were young, I'd never coach in Toronto," Babcock added.

The 9-9-4 Maple Leafs continue their current western road trip this week, taking on the Vegas Golden Knights, Arizona Coyotes, and Colorado Avalanche.

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It's around the point in the NHL season when value really starts to show up on a nightly basis.

"It's still early" is a common saying this time of year, with many people dismissing early-season results in favor of public perception. For example, the Tampa Bay Lighting are 9-6-2 but have been favored in 16 of 17 games, while the 11-5-4 Montreal Canadiens have been favored in less than half of their matchups.

Being able to identify which teams continue to be overvalued and undervalued can be the difference between losing your shirt and turning a profit. With that being said, here's your betting guide to the week ahead.

Game betting

Tampa Bay Lightning at St. Louis Blues (Tuesday)

The Lightning came into this season hoping to supplant the Blues as Stanley Cup champions, but they've disappointed thus far. Sure, they've won four of their last six games, but losses to the Islanders and Jets are more telling than wins over weak opponents like the Sabres, Rangers, and Devils.

The Blues are too well-coached and disciplined to cater to the Lightning's style of play, so you should back them to beat the Bolts and end a three-game skid. The Lightning have a lot to prove before we can justify taking them at their lofty prices.

Vancouver Canucks at Dallas Stars (Tuesday)

There hasn't been a better or more consistent team in November than the Stars, who've posted a 6-0-1 record since the start of the month. They've done it with stellar defensive hockey, allowing one goal or fewer in four of those games.

The Canucks are capable of scoring goals in bunches, but they've been much less prolific on the road. Play the Stars in this spot or bet the under if you're not comfortable with the chalk.

Toronto Maple Leafs at Vegas Golden Knights (Tuesday)

Five successive losses have Leafs fans waiting for Mike Babcock to get the ax, but a coaching change won't solve Toronto's issues. Despite featuring plenty of talent, the Leafs currently lack the character to play themselves out of this slump.

This team has lost six of its last seven on the road and will hope to repair its fractured ego on the West Coast. However, there's little evidence to suggest the Leafs can go into the toughest building in hockey on Tuesday night and snap their skid. Take the Golden Knights and don't think twice.

Ottawa Senators at Montreal Canadiens (Wednesday)

You have to go back to Nov. 2 to find the last time the Canadiens lost in regulation. Before that loss, it was Oct. 24. These Habs are a chameleon; they're able to adapt and excel in any type of game, which makes them so tough to beat on any given night.

This matchup will be their second contest in as many days, but the same is true for the Senators, who will also be playing their fourth game in six nights and their 10th in 17. Ottawa has struggled in the second half of back-to-backs since the start of last season, losing 14 of 18 such games. The Sens have lost six in a row in Montreal - five of which came by two or more goals. Back the Habs on the puck line.

Toronto Maple Leafs at Arizona Coyotes (Thursday)

It doesn't get any easier for the Leafs here, as their sputtering offense will visit the league's stingiest defense. The Coyotes have allowed just 2.33 goals per game this season and that figure drops to 1.88 on home ice. With Mitch Marner out and Toronto lacking scoring depth, the Leafs will need to play a similarly stingy game to win this battle. All signs point to the under as a result.

San Jose Sharks at Vegas Golden Knights (Thursday)

This might be the most entertaining game of the week if you enjoy post-whistle shenanigan, as there may not be two teams in hockey that dislike each other more right now. Evander Kane was suspended for the first two meetings this season, but he'll be in the lineup on Thursday to renew his rivalry with Ryan Reaves. Everything about this game shouts excitement.

The Sharks, winners of six in a row as of Monday, are starting to rediscover their game and their scoring touch. However, they still can't stop other teams from scoring. Expect the refs to call this game tight, which should lead to plenty of power plays for two of the league's better units, and a number of goals as a result. The over looks like a strong play here.

Game props

Edmonton Oilers at San Jose Sharks (Tuesday)

Both of these teams are scoring at will lately while struggling to keep pucks out of their own net. The Oilers' last three trips to San Jose produced 10 first-period goals, including three in their matchup last week. The last seven meetings between these teams have gone over 1.5 goals in the first period, and there's no evidence to suggest that will change on Tuesday.

Washington Capitals at New York Rangers (Wednesday)

Let's stick with these first-period overs that have been hitting at a very high clip for certain teams. The Capitals and Rangers have nailed the over in the opening 20 minutes in their last three meetings, and in six of their last seven. Back it again here.

Player props

Ottawa Senators at Montreal Canadiens (Wednesday)

Nick Suzuki is getting more impressive by the game. The youngster, acquired by Montreal in the Max Pacioretty trade, is playing some really strong hockey at both ends of the ice and he's been rewarded with a three-game point streak. He's also getting power-play time and a bump up the depth chart with Jonathan Drouin sidelined. Suzuki should have ample opportunities to get on the scoresheet in this game, and the over 0.5 assists is enticing at more than 2-1 odds.

Boston Bruins at Buffalo Sabres (Thursday)

It's hardly going out on a limb to back Brad Marchand - who's posted 19 assists in 20 games - but he's an especially good bet to get on the scoresheet when his Bruins face one of the league's worst penalty-killing units.

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.

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Every Monday, theScore offers a weekly fantasy hockey column detailing a handful of moves you should make. This week's edition focuses on Week 7. Ownership percentages and position eligibility are courtesy of Yahoo.

Trade for Evgeni Malkin

Team: Penguins
Position: C
Ownership: 96%

With Sidney Crosby out for over a month, look for Malkin to elevate his game, just as he did in previous years with No. 87 injured. Both of Malkin's Art Ross Trophies were earned when Crosby missed a large chunk of the preceding campaign.

Malkin can be the best player on the ice when he's engaged. He's already beginning to thrive with the added responsibility, racking up eight points over his last six games.

Don't overspend to acquire him, but definitely ask his owner what the price is.

Buy low on P.K. Subban

Team: Devils
Position: D
Ownership: 90%

Subban's tenure in New Jersey is off to a rough start, as he's tallied just five points in 19 games. However, much of his early struggles can be attributed to bad luck.

On a per-60-minute basis at even strength this season, Subban is generating the most expected goals, most scoring chances, and second-most high-danger scoring chances of his career.

Subban is currently stuck on the Devils' second power-play unit. But considering the team ranks 27th on the man advantage, the former Norris Trophy winner could find his way back onto the top line in no time, which would further raise his fantasy ceiling.

It probably wouldn't take much to pry Subban away from his owner, especially considering the blue-liner had a down season, by his lofty standards, in 2018-19.

Add Martin Necas

Team: Hurricanes
Position: C/RW
Ownership: 5%

Necas has been one of the Hurricanes' best players this season. The 20-year-old has recorded 14 points in 20 games but seems to be heating up, notching eight points in his last eight contests.

Necas has produced despite playing third-line minutes and receiving minimal power-play time. If he continues to fill the scoresheet, the former 12th overall pick could begin to see an expanded role.

Necas is especially appetizing this week since the Hurricanes play a league-high four games.

Add Kirby Dach

Team: Blackhawks
Position: C
Ownership: 5%

Much like Necas, Dach is probably owned in the majority of keeper leagues, but he's available in virtually all re-draft ones.

It's safe to say the Blackhawks' third overall pick in 2019 is here to stay. After recording three points in his first 10 games, Dach was a healthy scratch Nov. 9 against the Penguins. Since then, he's scored four goals and added two assists in four contests.

Dach has managed to produce despite a sheltered role, and with Jonathan Toews and Dylan Strome ahead of him on the center depth chart, it's hard to envision him moving up the lineup. But if he continues to produce, head coach Jeremy Colliton will have no choice but to find more minutes for him.

Add Andre Burakovsky

Team: Avalanche
Position: LW/RW
Ownership: 27%

Burakovsky has stepped up for the Avalanche after injuries to Gabriel Landeskog and Mikko Rantanen, registering seven points in his last five games. Three of those points have come with the man advantage, where he's getting an extended look on the team's top unit.

With no signs of an imminent return for either star winger, Burakovsky, who played at least 18 minutes in his last two games, needs to be owned in all formats.

(Advanced stats source: Natural Stat Trick)

Josh Wegman has been theScore's resident fantasy hockey expert since 2015. Find him on Twitter @JoshWegman_.

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The Montreal Canadiens are going to be without two forwards, including one of their top scorers, for the foreseeable future.

Jonathan Drouin will undergo wrist surgery, and Paul Byron will have a procedure performed on his knee, Canadiens head coach Claude Julien confirmed Monday.

Both players will be out indefinitely, Julien added, according to The Athletic's Arpon Basu.

Drouin and Byron were both hurt in Friday's win over the Washington Capitals.

The Canadiens placed Drouin on injured reserve Sunday. He's tied for second on the team in goals (seven) and is tied for fourth in points (15) through 19 games.

Byron has chipped in four points in 19 contests of his own.

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After the Calgary Flames lost their fourth game in a row Sunday, forward Matthew Tkachuk didn't shy away from critiquing his team's recent performance.

"It's disgusting. It's bad. It's bad right now. We need to change this around ... something's gotta change here," Tkachuk said postgame. "We've gotta get back to the old us and get out of this little funk we have here because this is not fun."

The Flames dropped Sunday's contest 6-0 to the Vegas Golden Knights and were blanked by the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday, marking the first time since 2009 that they've been shut out on back-to-back days, according to Sportsnet Stats.

"It's getting pretty old," Tkachuk added. "We just can't get this lead. We trail, we press, and they put a six-spot up on us when it's a pretty tight game until the third period.

"We just kind of let them run away with it and leave our goalie out to dry countless times. It's getting old."

The Flames own a 10-10-3 record this season and currently sit in fifth place in the Pacific Division.

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