Theodore to shine offensively vs. Blues on Monday

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There are just two games on the NHL schedule to begin the week. I don't see much value in sides or totals, but there are a few player props that caught my eye.

Let's take a closer look.

Viktor Arvidsson: Over 2.5 shots

Arvidsson is an elite shot generator. He registered at least three shots in four of six games this season and in 61% of contests dating back to the beginning of last season.

What I love about Arvidsson is he's also efficient with his attempts. He takes a lot of them and hits the target at a very high clip, allowing him to survive even without a ceiling performance in terms of attempts.

Arvidsson generated five shot attempts or more in five of six games this year. The lone exception came in a contest against the Blue Jackets where he suffered an injury during his first shift and didn't return. Put another way, he registered at least five attempts in every game he started and finished.

That is a key number for Arvidsson. He has gone over this total in 87 of 105 games (83%) with at least five attempts since the beginning of the 2022-23 campaign.

The Kings are within striking distance of the Oilers for second place in the Pacific and played only once in the past four days, so Arvidsson and the team's top weapons should see a full workload.

Odds: -134 (playable to -155)

Filip Hronek: Under 0.5 points

There was a time when it felt like the Canucks scored five goals every single night and Hronek couldn't keep his name off the scoresheet. But that time is gone.

Hronek's production rates came back to reality in recent months. He has brought minutes and strong defense to the table rather points, which was always expected.

He recorded a point in only six of the past 29 games (20.6%) and just two of the last 20 when playing in Vancouver (10%). Not great outputs.

This is hardly an ideal matchup for Hronek to get back on track offensively. The Kings play a very structured, slow brand of hockey that doesn't lend itself to many track meets.

They rank sixth in expected goals allowed over the past 10 games while only two teams - the Predators and Canucks - have conceded fewer goals, and they don't give up many chances. Furthermore, they play low-event hockey, just like the Canucks.

Hronek should be in for a quiet night offensively.

Odds: -150 (playable to -165)

Shea Theodore: Over 0.5 points

Theodore has points in seven of the last 10 and 20 of his last 30 overall. He is consistently finding a way to get involved offensively.

I like his chances in an important game against St. Louis. The Blues continue to give up a lot at five-on-five, ranking 31st in expected goals against and shots against over the last 10 games. They have also struggled to limit shots while killing penalties and sit 26th in goals against per minute in the past 10 games.

Theodore plays a ton of minutes at even strength and quarterbacks the top unit. He is a prime candidate to benefit from the Blues' weaknesses.

It's also worth noting this is a nice pace-up spot for Theodore and the Knights. The Blues rank sixth in five-on-five pace over the last 10 and often create environments where the games are free-flowing and shots/chances aren't hard to come by.

Expect Theodore, who has more points than all defensemen but Roman Josi, Cale Makar, and Evan Bouchard over his last 15, to make some noise once again.

Odds: -130 (playable to -150)

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X at @ToddCordell.

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