NHL Monday best bets: Wild to rebound, Matthews to keep shooting

We have a rare, jam-packed Monday slate in the NHL, with 18 of the league's 32 teams set to take the ice.

Let's take a look at a side - and a couple props - worth backing.

Avalanche (-120) @ Wild (+100)

Between Gabriel Landeskog's injury and the departures of Nazem Kadri and Andre Burakovsky, the Colorado Avalanche are missing a lot of firepower from last year's team, and it's shown in the early going - at least at five-on-five.

Through two games, they've generated only 1.84 expected goals per 60, which is the fifth-lowest output in the league. Small sample size, of course, but the Arizona Coyotes, Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, and San Jose Sharks are not teams you want to be keeping company with.

Colorado's offensive struggles aren't necessarily surprising. The club simply doesn't have much quality depth up front and is too top-heavy as a result. And while I have no doubt the Avalanche will continue to win more than their fair share of games, I like the Minnesota Wild in this spot.

Minnesota's scored nine goals through two games but is yet to win. Its defense is getting a lot of heat - and there have been some breakdowns - but the team's conceded 10 goals on only 44 shots at five-on-five. If Marc-Andre Fleury were playing at a remotely competent level, that number would be cut in at least half.

Even if age is finally catching up to Fleury, it's fair to expect better numbers moving forward.

I think the Wild have largely played better than their 0-2 record - they're eighth in expected goals share at five-on-five - and expect them to rebound at home against an Avs team still adjusting to life without a few key forwards.

Bet: Wild (+100)

Auston Matthews over 4.5 shots (-116)

Matthews is one of the sport's best volume shooters. He averaged slightly under five shots per game last season, coming in at a whopping 4.8.

No. 34 has picked up exactly where he left off to start the season, piling up 17 shots through three games and recording five or more shots each time out.

I expect that trend to continue against the Arizona Coyotes. He'll get favorable matchups against a horrendous, tanking Coyotes team that ranks last in shots against per game in the early going.

Matthews generated five shots in each meeting against the Coyotes a season ago and should have no problem getting there once again.

Jake Guentzel over 3.5 shots (-105)

Jake Guentzel has been a shooting machine early this season, having amassed a ridiculous 20 shot attempts through two games.

Alongside Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh's top line has dominated its opponents and tilted the ice almost every time over the boards.

I'm not sure that's going to change against the Canadiens. The Habs have had their lunch handed to them at five-on-five, where they've controlled only 40% of the expected goals share (30th).

They're not much better at killing penalties, sitting 29th in attempts against per minute so far.

Guentzel is the team's biggest shooting threat at evens - and on the power play - and stands to benefit most from such an enticing matchup.

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.

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