NHL Monday player props: Atkinson, Ovechkin among forwards to target

We picked up a clean sweep with our player props Friday night, with Jack Hughes and Thomas Chabot going over their shot totals, while Dawson Mercer got a point.

We'll look to pick up where we left off with a few of my favorite props for Monday's fruitful slate.

Cam Atkinson: Over 2.5 shots

Atkinson has been as consistent as anyone this season. He's averaging 3.2 shots on goal per game and has cleared his line in 17 of 24 appearances, including a remarkable 10 of 12 (83%) on home ice.

The Flyers winger can find success against anyone, not just teams that bleed shots like the Blue Jackets and Sharks.

Atkinson registered at least three shots against the Golden Knights, Kings, Devils, Hurricanes, and Rangers over the past 10 games. Those sides excel at limiting shots, yet Atkinson recorded four or more in four of those matchups.

I expect him to continue his success against the Penguins on Monday night. They've quietly given up a lot of shot volume of late, averaging a hair under 33 shots allowed per game over the last 10. Only seven teams have given up more.

With home ice in his back pocket and an advantageous shooting matchup, Atkinson should make noise.

Odds: -130 (playable to -150)

Brayden Point: Over 2.5 shots

Point is a completely different player at home - at least in terms of shooting the puck.

The Lightning's star pivot recorded three shots or more in nine of 12 games in Tampa Bay, averaging a healthy 3.3 per contest. That's a stark contrast from the 2.3 average he's managed on the road.

Point has a sneaky good matchup to stay hot at home. Although the Stars are a strong defensive team, they're susceptible to giving up volume against opposing centers. They rank bottom 10 in shots against versus the position.

I also like that there's plenty of motivation for the Lightning in this game. They've dropped four in a row, falling out of the playoffs as a result. They were also just embarrassed by the Stars last time out.

Dallas really needs a win and will be out for revenge against a team that just thumped it 8-1. We should see a steady dose of Point in this one, giving him ample opportunity to fire a few pucks on net.

Odds: -130 (playable to -150)

Alex Ovechkin: Over 3.5 shots

Ovechkin has become very matchup-dependent at this stage of his career. To generate the kind of volume we saw nightly for nearly two decades, he needs a weak shot-suppression defense and power-play opportunities. The Coyotes check both boxes.

While they've won a lot of games of late, that has more to do with stellar goaltending from Connor Ingram than improved defensive play. They're tied for 27th in shots against per game over the last eight.

The Coyotes also take a lot of penalties. Only seven teams have taken more minors per game, and they're 28th in shot suppression while undermanned.

Put another way, Arizona spends a lot of time in the box and gives up shots in bulk on the penalty kill. That should greatly benefit Ovechkin, who generates a lot of his volume on the power play.

Look for the Capitals star to get back on track in this one.

Odds: -110 (playable to -125)

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @ToddCordell.

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