NHL Monday best bets: Canucks to best Predators at home

Our weekend best bets resulted in a disappointing split. The Senators came through for us on the puckline, but the Devils were unable to convert a 50-27 shot advantage against the Golden Knights into a victory.

We'll set our sights higher with a couple plays for Monday night's six-game slate.

The Predators recently pulled the plug on their season, selling off a handful of meaningful contributors in Mattias Ekholm, Nino Niederreiter, Mikael Granlund, and Tanner Jeannot. Factor in the absences of Ryan Johansen and Filip Forsberg due to injury and there simply isn't much meat left on the bone.

That has shown in the team's underlying process of late. Over the last seven games, the Predators rank 22nd in expected goals share - and 27th in shot share - at five-on-five.

Those are extremely uninspiring numbers, especially considering they've faced bottom-feeders like the Blackhawks, Coyotes, and Sharks during that stretch.

Although the Predators' numbers are not good at either end of the ice, their five-on-five issues stem largely from an inability to defend. That checks out given some of their recent departures; Ekholm is a very sound minute-munching defenseman and Niederreiter has long been an underrated two-way winger.

The Canucks are not world-beaters at five-on-five, but they definitely look to have some advantages. Their metrics have been better than Nashville's of late and they have two of the best even-strength weapons in the league on their roster.

Elias Pettersson begins the day tied for fourth in five-on-five points while Quinn Hughes is tied with Shea Theodore for ninth among blue-liners.

I expect the Canucks will have the puck a lot. Given Nashville's recent struggles and Vancouver's star power, the Canucks should be able to make real noise with it.

So long as Juuse Saros doesn't steal the show, I see Vancouver leaving the ice with another two points.

Bet: Canucks (-110)

The Senators have been playing very good hockey for quite some time now. Since Dec. 1, they sit tied for fourth in the NHL in wins while slotting eighth in terms of points percentage.

Their offense is firing on all cylinders, Jakob Chychrun drastically improves them at both ends of the ice, and the goaltending appears to have stabilized. Put it all together and it makes sense the Senators are enjoying such success recently.

The Senators have won five straight games, each of them by at least two goals. Now they get to look forward to a game with the Blackhawks as they continue their ascension up the Eastern Conference standings.

Chicago currently possesses one of the worst rosters I've seen in the modern era. This year's team was paper-thin at the best of times. With Jonathan Toews sidelined and Patrick Kane, Jake McCabe, and Max Domi traded, next to nothing remains.

The Blackhawks are devoid of almost any real talent at every position. They struggle at five-on-five, their power play is toothless, and they can't get a save with any frequency. I think the red-hot Senators will skate circles around them in what is another crucial game.

Look for the Blackhawks, whose last seven losses were by at least two goals, to be defeated rather convincingly in this spot.

Bet: Senators -1.5 (-120)

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

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