Ryan Hodges
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The first Monday in the NHL’s regular season brings us a nice 5-game slate. All games start at 7:00 pm ET, so once you finish work and grab some dinner, NHL action will be waiting for you. Typically, start times are more scattered. However, with each game on Monday being an eastern time home team, fans will be treated to 10 teams playing at once and plenty of action to start the week.
If you’re looking to have some betting action, check out our NHL mega parlay at +1016 odds below. You can also read our NHL predictions for picks on every game today.
Maple Leafs -1.5 & Over 6.5 (+190)
Panthers vs Devils Over 7 (+110)
Red Wings ML (-120)
NHL mega parlay odds: +1016
Toronto Maple Leafs -1.5 over Chicago Blackhawks & Over 6.5 (+190)
It is no secret that this is just a plain lopsided game in favor of the Maple Leafs. Chicago has played hard in its 3 games to start the season, but this is an uphill battle. Toronto is the deeper, better team in every aspect. As long as they do not completely sleepwalk through this game, the Leafs should be able to take care of business rather comfortably. Toronto is 2-0 with 13 goals scored thus far, which is 6 more goals than Chicago has scored in 3 games. There’s no need to overthink this one.
With 13 goals scored in 2 games, the over has comfortably hit in both Leafs games to start the year. While Toronto’s offensive production would be enough to carry the weight of a high total, their goal prevention has struggled which only reinforces high totals. The Maple Leafs have allowed 9 goals in their 2 wins. The door will be open for Chicago to score a few themselves and do their part as well in taking this game over 6.5 goals.
This game features one of our best NHL player prop bets of the day
Florida Panthers vs New Jersey Devils Over 7 (+110)
This is another game where the pure matchup gives the over appeal, especially at +110 odds. The Devils have both scored and allowed 7 goals across their first two games. The Panthers appear to be the Devils’ best opponent thus far. With that, if New Jersey allowed 3.5 goals to weaker teams, then a stronger team like the Panthers should have plenty of opportunities to generate offense. Both teams have shown vulnerability in goal prevention which makes a high total look even better given the offensive talent in this game.
New Jersey and Florida ranked #5 and #6 respectively in the NHL last year in goals scored per game. Goal prevention was fine for both teams, but nothing spectacular. Early on, team strengths and weaknesses look similar on both sides. Whoever wins this game likely will have leaned on their strength as opposed to improving their weakness. Team strength on both sides appears to be offense which should bring a higher total on Monday.
Check out our Florida Panthers vs New Jersey Devils predictions for tonight’s matchup
Detroit Red Wings ML over Columbus Blue Jackets (-120)
This is the first season in years that there have been any sort of expectations for the Red Wings. Early on, they look pretty good. They are 1-1 with a narrow loss to a very good Devils team and a great win over the Lightning. If they can hold to or around their early average of 4.5 goals per game on Monday, it should be more than the Blue Jackets can keep up with.
Obviously, a 4.5 goals per game clip is not sustainable. But if a team is clicking as the Red Wings appear to be now, a solid run like that can last a week or two. The Blue Jackets lost a dud to the Flyers in their season opener, but looked great against the Rangers on Saturday. Columbus is still firmly in their rebuild and is more of a question mark game in and game out than the Red Wings are. If Detroit is going to make the playoffs this year, they have to beat teams like Columbus. Look for the Red Wings to come out with some jam in this one.
