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It has been a profitable week on the ice thus far, so let's keep the momentum going into a busy weekend on the schedule.
One of hockey's oldest rivalries headlines the weekend slate as the Montreal Canadiens host the Toronto Maple Leafs, while a Stanley Cup rematch graces TD Garden.
Game betting
San Jose Sharks at Toronto Maple Leafs (Friday)
It's the chalk play, but how do you stay away from the over 6.5 in this game? Both teams can score at will, while they each struggle to keep the puck out of their own net. The Sharks are on a 9-1 run to the over when playing their second game in as many nights, and until the Leafs prove they're capable of playing sound defense, there's no reason to think this game should be any different.
Washington Capitals at Vancouver Canucks (Friday)
The Capitals have three well-deserved days off to reset after this one. It's been a busy start to the season for them with 13 games in 25 nights, including a ton of travel. Washington is also on the second game of a back-to-back and fatigue will be an issue for it. The Canucks have been idle since Tuesday and are a strong bet at even money.
St. Louis Blues at Boston Bruins (Saturday)
If this isn't the best revenge spot on the calendar, I don't know what is. The Bruins spent the summer watching videos of Blues players bathing in beer and eating food out of the Stanley Cup, after they came so close to winning it themselves. Nothing that happens on Saturday will take that away from St. Louis, but Boston can put a small band-aid over its heart-sized wound with a win. You know how bad the Bruins want this.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Montreal Canadiens (Saturday)
Once more, the schedule makers have taken away from the allure of a Habs-Leafs game this season, with Toronto again playing it as the second game of a back-to-back. As a result, Michael Hutchinson will get the nod in goal. He's posted a save percentage below .900 this season, with the Leafs 0-3 in his starts. Carey Price will steal the show again as the Canadiens make it two for two over the Leafs this season.
San Jose Sharks at Ottawa Senators (Sunday)
The Sharks have performed reasonably well in the second half of back-to-backs under Peter DeBoer, though they typically struggle in the game that follows - especially when it's on the road. San Jose is 5-12 in this spot over the past two seasons, so consider backing the Senators here at what will certainly be an attractive price.
Game props
Colorado Avalanche at Vegas Golden Knights (Friday)
The best team in the Western Conference was dealt a blow this week with the news that star winger Mikko Rantanen will miss at least a couple weeks with a lower-body injury. His absence will be sorely missed in a game in that could be a Conference Final preview against the Golden Knights. The Avalanche have had three days off in advance of this contest, which can be problematic with all the distractions Vegas has to offer. It's possible they spent Thursday night celebrating their hot start and will come out sluggish as a result. With the price on Vegas a bit high (-165), take them -0.5 in the first period at +150.
Calgary Flames at Winnipeg Jets (Saturday)
A Heritage Classic, this game will be played at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, Saskatchewan. Since Heritage Classics were instituted as yearly occurrences in 2008, outdoor games are 14-7-5 to the under, assuming a six-goal total for each contest. The under is worth a look here as well, but the Jets' team total is our focus. They've scored three or less goals in each of their last 12 games against the Flames, and two or less in nine of those contests. Under 3.5 and under 2.5 are both worth a look here. Goals have become an issue for Winnipeg, with just eight in its last five games.
Los Angeles Kings at Chicago Blackhawks (Sunday)
Only twice in the last nine meetings between the Blackhawks and Kings have there been two or more goals in the opening 20 minutes. With neither team scoring much these days, the first-period under looks like a strong bet here.
Player props
Washington Capitals at Vancouver Canucks (Friday)
Vancouver's power play has been humming along nicely this season, especially at home where it has converted on 44.4% of its opportunities. Bo Horvat is the team leader in that regard, with four goals on the man advantage. Look for him to add to that total against the Capitals, who can't seem to stay out of the penalty box - their 41 minor penalties are third-most in the NHL this season.
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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