Eichel, Theodore to stay hot vs. Canucks
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There are only two games on Monday's NHL schedule, but there is still plenty of value on the board. Let's take a closer look.
Auston Matthews: Over 4.5 shotsMitch Marner returned to the Maple Leafs' lineup Saturday, and Sheldon Keefe still kept Max Domi on the top unit. That's great news for Matthews' shot rate.
Matthews has flourished at getting pucks on net alongside Domi. He averages 18 shots and nearly 32 attempts per 60 minutes of five-on-five play with Domi on his right.
For perspective, Matthews averages 11 shots and 20 attempts with Marner and 10 on 22 attempts with William Nylander holding the spot. His outputs with Domi are at a completely different level.
Domi doesn't shoot as frequently as either of those players and isn't as puck-dominant, which has led to even more falling on Matthews' plate.
The Penguins are a mid-tier shot-suppression team, and their top line - a group Matthews should see plenty of - tends to play at a fast pace.
Matthews has led the NHL in shots over the past couple of weeks. This is a good spot for him to continue piling them up.
Odds: -110 (playable to -130)
Jack Eichel: Over 3.5 shotsEichel is as consistent as they come. He's recorded four-plus shots in 11 of his past 15 games, falling only one shot shy in each exception. Eichel gets the job done almost nightly and always gives himself a legitimate chance.
Tough matchups have made little impact on Eichel, as he's hit his number against strong defensive teams like the Canucks, Jets, and Predators of late.
While Vancouver has done a fantastic job of limiting shots overall, it doesn't seem to have an answer for Eichel. He's gone over this total in all three meetings versus the Canucks this season, combining for 19 shots on 28 attempts.
The Golden Knights are jockeying for position in the Western Conference playoff race and still have plenty to play for. Monday's contest is also a potential first-round playoff matchup. It's a meaningful game, and Eichel's usage should reflect that.
Odds: -134 (playable to -150)
Shea Theodore: Over 0.5 pointsWe've targeted Theodore a lot lately, and we'll go back to the well Monday night. Theodore has 39 points through 41 games, with the blue-liner continuing to have a plus-money price tag attached to him.
While the Canucks are a strong defensive team, they haven't done as good of a job keeping the puck out of the net. That's largely due to Thatcher Demko's absence.
Casey DeSmith has taken over as the starter, and the results haven't been great. He's conceded 28 goals and owns a .877 save percentage over nine appearances since Demko went down.
The Golden Knights are in good offensive form and are adding another lethal weapon to their arsenal, with Tomas Hertl expected to debut Monday.
Win or lose, I expect Vegas to score a few in this one. Look for the club's best offensive defenseman to get in on the action.
Odds: +125 (playable to -130)
Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X at @ToddCordell.
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