NHL Monday betting preview: Avs maintain impressive defensive record

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Our weekend betting preview started slow with a 1-2 night Friday, picked up steam with a 2-2 Saturday that returned a small profit, then finished strong with a 2-0 Sunday.

That's the momentum we're looking for heading into a big week.

GOATs and scapegoats

It's hard to pick just one hero from a busy weekend card, but how about the Columbus Blue Jackets' power play? Down 3-1 Sunday night heading into the third period, the Jackets cut the deficit to 3-2 before Zach Werenski and Emil Bemstrom scored power-play goals just three minutes apart to complete an impressive comeback and ensure we finished the day with a 2-0 record.

That came after Jeff Petry crushed our spirit Saturday night. The Carolina Hurricanes had battled back from a 3-0 deficit in Montreal to force overtime, and it looked as though we were headed for a 3-1 night. But with all the momentum on the Hurricanes' side, Petry took a stretch pass in overtime and roofed one to salvage a win for the Canadiens, forcing us to settle for a 2-2 night.

Monday bets

Filip Forsberg over 2.5 shots (-130)

With such a small card Monday, I've turned to player props to expand it. Nashville Predators forward Filip Forsberg recorded three or more shots in seven of his last eight games and registered 26 shots on goal across his last four games against the Edmonton Oilers, including nine in their most recent meeting in Nashville.

Leon Draisaitl to score anytime (+120)

While Forsberg has been shooting the puck a ton against the Oilers, Leon Draisaitl has done the same against the Predators - only he's made those shots count. The league's leading scorer has eight goals in his last four games against Nashville. He's in top form right now and is a steal at plus-money to add to his 39 goals on the season tonight. You can also get him at +700 to score two or more goals, which he's done in four straight meetings with the Predators, including both games in Nashville last season.

Best bet

Colorado Avalanche/Detroit Red Wings under 5.5 (+110)

The Avalanche have won their last six games and eight in a row on the road. Defensively, they've really tightened up, and it's been a key component to their success. Colorado is on a 12-1 run to the under and has hit seven straight unders on the road. That's largely down to the fact that the Avs allowed just 10 goals in their last eight road games while scoring 15 in their last six games overall. Meanwhile, the Red Wings scored just 14 goals in their last 10 games on home ice. Furthermore, only one of the last eight meetings between these teams in Detroit went over six goals. All signs point to a low-scoring affair in Motown.

Trend of the night

Colorado has allowed just eight goals in its last six games.

The team's impressive defensive record extends further back, having allowed just 23 goals in its last 14 games. If you exclude games against the Washington Capitals and Tampa Bay Lightning, the Avalanche have allowed just 16 goals in their last 12 games. There are worse bets to make than the Red Wings' team total under 1.5 at +150.

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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