With only two games on Monday’s NHL slate, the matchups still offer plenty of value for bettors. The Kings look like an underrated home favorite against a Golden Knights team that struggles on the road, while the Jets continue to dominate and should handle the Sharks with ease. We’re also eyeing Kyle Connor to find the back of the net against San Jose’s leaky defense. Let’s dive into the best bets and player props for tonight’s action.
Kings ML vs. Golden Knights (-110, BetMGM)
Only two games on the NHL slate tonight, but we get a very good one between the Vegas Golden Knights and Los Angeles Kings. These are two of the best teams in the Western Conference, and each win is going to matter here in the second half of the season, so you can count on a very competitive game between the two. Vegas has the best record in the Pacific Division right now at 34-17-6, but Los Angeles is on their heels with a 30-17-7 mark, good for third.
The Golden Knights are red-hot, winners of three straight games, including a 3-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks in their last contest. While they have been great this season at home, they have been pretty mid on the road, with a 14-14 road record this season. They ripped the Kings 6-1 at home earlier this year, but lost 6-3 when they played in Los Angeles, showing once again the drastic home/road split.
The Kings have been pretty good at home this season in L.A., boasting an 18-5 record in their own building. They have won four of their last five, including their last game against Utah with a 5-3 victory. I like the Kings tonight at these odds, which are basically a pick ‘em at -110, as I think they are undervalued with how different these two teams are at home and on the road. Plus, I give the goaltending edge slightly to Darcy Kuemper, who has been great with a 2.20 GAA and .918 SV%.
Jets -1.5 vs. Sharks (-167, BetMGM)
Paying -167 for a team to win by two goals is never something that you should do lightly, but in this spot, it could be warranted. Winnipeg is riding a nine game winning streak, boasting a 40-14-3 record, and have been nails at home with a crazy 22-5-3. They lead the NHL with the fewest goals allowed per game at just 2.4, which is thanks in large part to Vezina favorite Connor Hellebuyck’s incredible play in net. He’s been unreal, with a 2.06 GAA and .925 save percentage, and you probably watched him dominate for team USA recently as well.
Meanwhile, the Sharks are 15-35-7 this season overall, and have a terrible 6-17-5 road record to boot. They are riding a four game losing streak, and their biggest issue is their anemic offense that can’t score goals, averaging a pathetic 2.59 goals per game. Their defense and netminding aren’t much better, allowing 3.72 goals per game. Vitek Vanecek has posted a rough 4.00 GAA and .878 save percentage in between the pipes.
I also like Kyle Connor to score a goal here at around +115 odds against San Jose. He’s Winnipeg’s most dynamic goalscorer, and against a defense that is as terrible as this one, I expect him to have plenty of chances to get one past Vanecek.
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