Best player props for Monday's NHL slate: Auston Matthews returns with a bang

There are four games for Monday’s NHL slate, we’re going to take a deeper dive into three of the matchups and choose three player props we think will provide good value and have a great chance of hitting. Games are starting at 7:00 pm ET and the final game of the night starts at 10:00 pm ET. Premier talent Auston Matthews will be returning for the Maple Leafs’ fourth game of the season, while the Calgary Flames will be trying for their first win. It’s a small slate, but a good one.

Along with our player props, be sure to check out our full game previews for all of tonight’s matchup. Also, be sure to follow our main Twitter account for more daily free picks covering all sports.

Auston Matthews to score a goal (-105)

Last year’s Rocket Richard winner had 41 goals in 52 games. Since scoring four goals in his NHL debut, he’s been a scoring machine with the most 5 on 5 goals since entering the league back in 2016. Matthews has plenty of nicknames, but the one bettors should care about is “Mr. October”. He’s tallied 36 goals in 46 career games in the month of October, with 11 in 14 games in the 2019-2020 season, and nine in 11 games during the 2018-2019 season. Additionally, in his first five seasons, Auston has scored a goal in his first game of the season in four out of five years; the only exception being last year when the season started in January. Matthews starts the season off hot and he loves playing in October. He’s done it consistently for five years, his sixth year should be no different. Take him getting a goal for Monday night’s game.

Be sure to check out our full game preview for New York Rangers vs Toronto Maple Leafs

Jared McCann over 0.5 points (+110)

The newest team in the NHL family has a lot of role-playing guys, Jared McCann gets it done at both ends of the ice and is currently the Kraken’s leading scorer. Coming over from the Toronto Maple Leafs in the expansion draft, McCann has already totaled two goals and one assist in three games played. He has been centering the first line for Seattle this season and has been playing just under 18 minutes of game time, including an average of 2:17 minutes on the powerplay. With more ice time and a bigger role for the club, his offensive chances should continue.

After nabbing three points in three games, he has no reason to stop shooting the puck and trusting his linemates. McCann already established himself as a legitimate power forward in the league, but now with a first-line role, he’s starting to excel even more. He went pointless in Saturday night’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, except a bounce-back game for the current point per game player. Take him as an anytime point-getter for this game.

Be sure to check out our full game preview for Seattle Kraken vs Philadelphia Flyers

Matthew Tkachuk over 0.5 points (-167)

Tkachuk is the motor for the Calgary Flames, and this is a make-or-break year for the core of this squad. After starting the season off with a loss, they’ll be looking to get their first win of the season and Tkachuk will be a big part of that. He gathered an assist in the team’s 5-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night, but it wasn’t for a lack of chances for Tkachuk and his first line of Elias Lindholm and Johnny Gaudreau. The trio had a combined 15 shots on goal, and the highly offensive first line should continue shooting; which will only expose Tkachuk for more chances of getting a point this game.

He had 5:14 minutes of powerplay time in the first game of the season and the Anaheim Ducks have already given up 10 minutes of penalties. If the Flames can have a lot of time on the powerplay Monday night, Tkachuk’s chances of a point will only increase. Take him to get a point in this game.

Be sure to check out our full game preview for Anaheim Ducks vs Calgary Flames

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