In this article, I’ll outline the most noteworthy odds, news, and betting notes from Monday’s four-game NHL slate, and I’ll also offer up my best bet.
Best bet-Rangers puck line -1.5
Rangers puck line vs. Predators
The New York Rangers will be looking to avoid being on the wrong side of history Monday night when they host the Nashville Predators. The NHL record for longest season-opening home losing streak is currently held by the 1971-72 Los Angeles Kings, who lost their first eight games of the season on home ice.
New York has lost its first seven games of the season at MSG and will tie the record with a loss versus the lowly Nashville Predators Monday.
The Rangers have averaged just 0.85 goals per game on home ice and been shut out in five of seven matchups this season. It’s going to be an especially embarrassing look for me if this take is wrong, but I’m willing to put myself out there and say there is value in backing them to win comfortably in this specific matchup.
Obviously the Rangers’ inability to finish scoring chances on home ice has now gotten into their heads a little bit. But analyzing their home ice performances on a game-by-game basis, they played pretty well in four of the seven games and have offered pretty respectable play overall this season.
The Rangers rank fourth in the league in expected goal share this season. Analytics aren’t everything, but their offensive process has looked quite respectable, while defensively they have clearly taken significant steps forward under Mike Sullivan.
New York is set to get a key piece back in the lineup Monday, as Vincent Trocheck is expected to return to his regular role as the second-line centre.
Based on their first 17 games, there is not much reason to believe that the Predators will be any better than they were last year when they finished with a record of 30-44-8. They rank 28th in the NHL in expected goal share and hold a -15 goal differential.
The Predators brought a strong level of urgency into Saturday’s matchup versus an elite Dallas Stars side, and a 5-4 final may look somewhat encouraging. However, I’d argue the game was actually an especially negative take on where the Preds are at. Nashville made the most of a small output of quality scoring opportunities, as it finished a few shots from distance thanks to quality screens, while Filip Forsberg and Steven Stamkos finished two of the team’s only truly threatening looks. On a day where the team was clinical in front of goal, they still managed to lose in regulation, calling attention to their shaky defensive play. In nine games since captain Roman Josi’s injury, the Predators have allowed 3.77 goals against per game and have allowed 4.01 xGA/60, which is the highest mark in the NHL.
This looks like a good spot to back the Rangers’ solid offensive process leading to better results, as they take on a Predators side that appears likely to finish near the very bottom of the league this season.
New York Islanders @ New Jersey Devils
| Islanders moneyline odds | +125 |
| Devils moneyline odds | -150 |
| Game total | Over 6 goals (-115), Under 6 (-105) |
| Time | 7 p.m. ET |
- The Devils opened around -170 at most online sportsbooks but have ticked down to a price of -150 at the time of writing.
- The Islanders will be playing their third game in four nights in this matchup. They were not sharp in Friday night’s loss versus the Minnesota Wild but were dominant in an important 5-0 win over the rival Rangers on Saturday at MSG.
- Following a poor start to the season, the Islanders have started to string together strong results. They are 7-3-2 over their last 12 games, though a 46.75% expected goal share at even strength in those games is concerning.
- After sneaking out a shootout win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday, the Devils are 7-0-0 on home ice this season.
- The Devils are expected to remain without two key blueliners: Brett Pesce and Dougie Hamilton.
Columbus Blue Jackets @ Edmonton Oilers
| Blue Jackets moneyline odds | +145 |
| Oilers moneyline odds | -170 |
| Game total | Over 6.5 goals (-125), Under 6.5 (+105) |
| Time | 8:30 p.m. ET |
- It’s a logical spot to expect a spirited effort from the Oilers, who were humiliated 9-1 on home ice by the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday evening.
- “What’s wrong with the Oilers” debates have been easy pickings for mainstream NHL media recently. It makes for a good talking point and is appealing to other Canadian fanbases, but through 16 games the Oilers were 5-10-1 in 2023-24 and started 8-7-1 last year before winning the Western Conference in both seasons.
- The Oilers’ blue line has really struggled to live up to the hype in particular. Evan Bouchard has had arguably the worst stretch of play out of his whole career, while Jake Walman has also not been effective since returning from injury.
- A lack of continuity among the lines is also becoming an issue for head coach Kris Knoblauch’s Oilers, as he has shuffled the majority of his units on a nightly basis.
- The Blue Jackets have started their five-game road trip 0-3 but hold a 51.15% expected goal share in those matchups and have looked respectable.
- The Blue Jackets shook up their top six for the first time this season Saturday in Vancouver, as Adam Fantilli moved up into Sean Monahan’s role on what had been a highly effective top line, playing alongside Dmitri Voronkov and Kirill Marchenko.
Florida Panthers @ Vegas Golden Knights
| Panthers moneyline odds | +120 |
| Golden Knights moneyline odds | -140 |
| Game total | Over 6 goals (-105), Under 6 (-115) |
| Time | 10 p.m. ET |
- The Panthers will be completing a four-game Western road trip Monday. They are 1-2-0 in the first three games, and at 7-7-1 this season, they rank 13th in the Eastern Conference.
- Betting on the Panthers in each of their first 15 games would have yielded a -22.4% ROI. It seemed reasonable to believe they may have started slowly this regular season while playing without Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk, and that has obviously been the case.
- Another reason for the Panthers’ poor start has been the play of Sam Bennett, who’s recorded just five points in 15 games. Bennett has made a name for himself with his incredible play during the playoffs, but he’s certainly hurt his chances of making the Canadian Olympic team with his poor start, given that potential bubble players such as Macklin Celebrini, Mark Scheifele, Nick Suzuki and Connor Bedard have been tremendous so far this season.
- This will be the second and final meeting of the season between these inter-conference sides. The Panthers won 3-0 on home ice on October 25th.