We have been firing on all cylinders with the shot props of late. Let's keep the ball rolling as we look to kick off the week with some winners.

Thomas Chabot over 2.5 shots (-115)

Thomas Chabot is on a nice little shooting run, especially on home ice. The skilled blue-liner has registered at least three shots on goal in six of the last nine games played in Ottawa. He finished with two shots each time he fell short so, put simply, he is always on the doorstep and giving himself a chance to go over the number.

This is a matchup where he should be able to get the job done. At five-on-five, the Nashville Predators rank 31st in attempts against per 60 over the last 10 games. They also take penalties at a pretty healthy rate, offering Chabot extra time in the offensive zone to get over the number.

These teams met about a month ago. In that game, Chabot hit the over while attempting seven shots. I expect similar results this time around in the comforts of his own building.

Filip Forsberg over 2.5 shots (-140)

The Ottawa Senators are a surprisingly strong shot-suppression team. Their Achilles heel, if you will, is opposing left wingers. That is the one position they seem to struggle with on a nightly basis.

Only the Chicago Blackhawks and Arizona Coyotes - two teams in the mix for Connor Bedard - have allowed more shots per game to left wingers this season. Enter Filip Forsberg.

The dynamic offensive winger has attempted 63 shots over his past 10 games, slotting him 15th among all forwards during that span. Almost every guy ahead of him routinely has their shot prop line set at 3.5, if not 4.5. So you're getting top-end volume from Forsberg - in an advantageous matchup - at a reasonable price.

For what it's worth, Forsberg hit in all three meetings against the Senators during the calendar year of 2022 and capped things off in December with a nine-attempt performance.

Anze Kopitar over 2.5 shots (+125)

Death, taxes, and backing Anze Kopitar against the Edmonton Oilers. The Los Angeles Kings' captain absolutely feasted on them last season, recording three shots or more in 10 of 12 meetings (playoffs included).

That's not hard to believe considering the Oilers gave up a ton of shots to centers. Unsurprisingly, they remain very vulnerable in that regard. Only two teams have conceded more shots per game to centers this season.

With Kopitar, I generally need two things working in his favor to back him: home ice and a good matchup.

The Kings are at home in this game – Kopitar averages 1.1 more attempts per contest in Los Angeles - and, as mentioned, the Oilers bleed shots to centers.

Kopitar took advantage of the Oilers time after time a year ago. With a very similar roster and the same coaching staff in place, I think it is fair to expect more of the same.

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

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We are starting the week off with a fun little four-game slate. Let's take a look at a couple of home sides worth backing.

Predators (+100) @ Senators (-120)

The Nashville Predators enter play on a three-game winning streak. I don't see them extending it to four against the Ottawa Senators.

Although the Predators have played a fairly difficult schedule of late, there are some concerning trends beneath the surface, especially on the defensive side of things.

At five-on-five, only the Anaheim Ducks and Montreal Canadiens have conceded expected goals at a higher rate over the last 10 games.

Ottawa is not an ideal matchup considering those struggles. Despite dealing with injuries to key players like Josh Norris and Tim Stutzle throughout the season, they have not had any issue creating dangerous chances at full-strength. The Senators rank sixth in expected goals per 60 minutes while playing five a side.

They should be able to generate more than their share of opportunities against this exploitable Predators defense. And, if all else fails, this is a strong matchup for the Senators' lethal power play.

The Predators are a below-average team when it comes to avoiding penalties. They also give up a lot of looks while undermanned. For the season, only the Ducks, Canadiens, and Arizona Coyotes have given up expected goals at a higher rate.

Suffice to say, the Senators - who rank top five in expected goals and actual goals per 60 on the power play - are likely to cause real headaches for the Predators.

While an Anton Forsberg start here would definitely be preferable, the Predators are a subpar shot-generating team and rank 26th in goals per game. Cam Talbot should be able to put forth a competent performance if DJ Smith goes with him.

Bet: Senators (-115)

Flyers (+200) @ Sabres (-240)

The Buffalo Sabres are a handful to deal with these days. They are on a 8-2-0 run and have outscored opponents 41-27 in that time.

I expect their success to continue Monday night against the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Flyers are not a good defensive team at all. They have bled shots all season long and, over the last 10 games, rank 29th in expected goals against at five-on-five. They give up a lot of good looks.

Sometimes they can get away with that thanks to Carter Hart. He started Sunday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs, though, so the expectation is they'll turn to Samuel Ersson.

He has posted a respectable .905 save percentage through four NHL games. However, those came against the Ducks, San Jose Sharks, New York Islanders, and Los Angeles Kings. There is only one playoff team in that group and none of the offenses are overly scary.

The Sabres, who lead in goals per game, are a completely different animal than any team Ersson has seen. Given the Flyers' defensive struggles, he's likely to be tested early and often.

I don't think he's going to hold up against such a potent offense for 60 minutes. Even with Buffalo's mediocre goaltending, I don't see Philadelphia's offense being able to keep up, either.

This Sabres blue line is underrated and fairly solid when healthy. With the likes of Mattias Samuelsson and, more recently, Owen Power returning over the past couple of weeks, the Sabres have the pieces needed to compliment Rasmus Dahlin and provide some stabilizing play behind their potent attack.

Look for the Sabres to take care of business inside 60 minutes.

Bet: Sabres in regulation (-145)

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

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Following Rasmus Dahlin's five-point game against the Minnesota Wild on Saturday night, Buffalo Sabres head coach Don Granato predicted the defenseman won't be an All-Star snub for much longer.

"He was a force. I don't know (the site for All-Star voting). Whatever it is, there should be some clicks tonight because that was a special night by him," Granato told reporters after Buffalo's 6-5 victory. "To watch that unfold was impressive."

The league's department of hockey operations selected Tage Thompson to represent the Sabres during next month's festivities, but there are still three remaining spots on each lineup. An online fan vote will determine those slots.

Dahlin has put together an All-Star-calibre season. He currently ranks third among defensemen in scoring with 44 points (12 goals, 32 assists) in 36 games.

The 22-year-old also tied a franchise record for most points by a blue-liner in a single game Saturday. Dahlin forced overtime with his second goal of the game and chipped in with three assists, including on Victor Olofsson's winner.

Dahlin logged a team-high 29:25 of action against the Wild. He was about to leave the ice prior to factoring in on Olofsson's overtime dagger, but he stayed on after Minnesota defenseman Jonas Brodin went off to the races on a partial break.

"I have to play defense, I have to take responsibility," he said of his action-packed shift. "(Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen) made a great save (on Brodin), so thanks to him."

Granato wasn't surprised to hear about Dahlin's relentless drive.

"That's where you see his compete. ... I'm sure there was a shot of adrenaline through him at that moment, of feeling, 'Hey, I might feel exhausted, but that's an excuse. I gotta get a job done here.'

"And he's identifying better with how to get a job done positionally, technically, learning his position, learning the league. We've seen that as Sabres fans and us in our positions, we've seen the growth in him in just game knowledge and how to shut (teams) down, and it was all on display there."

Dahlin's next chance to build on his spectacular campaign will come Monday against the Philadelphia Flyers.

All-Star Game voting will be open until Jan. 17.

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The Washington Capitals will welcome a familiar face back to the lineup Sunday, with veteran pivot Nicklas Backstrom making his season debut against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Backstrom has been sidelined the entire 2022-23 season after undergoing hip resurfacing surgery in June. The 35-year-old has dealt with hip issues for a large portion of his career. He missed the opening 28 games of last season while recovering from an injury and had arthroscopic surgery in 2015.

His resurfacing procedure was considered much more serious than previous operations.

Backstrom has spent his entire 15-year career with the Capitals after he was drafted fourth overall in 2006. He's racked up 1,011 points in 1,058 games with the franchise but struggled last season with a career-low 0.53 points-per-game average.

The Capitals have been hit hard with injuries this season, playing half the campaign without Backstrom and top-six fixture Tom Wilson. They've overcome the key absences in spades, though, currently holding the top wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with 50 points.

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