Five bets for NHL Monday

Montreal-Vancouver over 6.5 (-114 FD)

Here's another game where I think you can make the case for shots on both ends, and lately when I find that intersection I just opt for the total.

While shots don't always translate to goals, I think they can in this instance. Both Jake Allen (3.51 GAA) and Spencer Martin (3.08 GAA) have had their problems in net, and I've seen enough consistency to expect three goals from both Montreal and Vancouver tonight.

The Canucks should lead the way with a power-play edge favoring their side, and I'd be okay with a 4-3 OT win here to cash the over. 

These two met on Nov. 9, and the final was 5-2. Three of the last four meetings between them have gone over 6.5.

.5u: Patrice Bergeron over 3.5 SOG (-108 FD)

There's a clear trend when looking at Patrice Bergeron's recent performance: he's been getting up against great teams. 

The Bruins center has gone for 4+ shots in five straight games, and the opponents in that stretch have been Tampa (twice), Florida, Carolina and Colorado.

Another great team hits Boston tonight in the Vegas Golden Knights, and seeing that they also project to be a solid shot target (32.1 allowed per game on the road), I'm loading up Bergeron to hit his shots once again.

It's hard to ignore that Bergeron hasn't scored in five straight despite rising volume. On paper, I do like the Bruins to notch plenty of goals tonight, they average four per game at home and have a significant power-play edge tonight. We'll tack on a goal bet here for Berg.

.5u: Bergeron goal (+170 CZR)

.5u: Jakob Chychrun over 3.5 SOG (+122 FD)

The numbers don't really back up this prop, which is why I'm bumping it down to a half-unit play. Calgary is a tight team to shots and has been particularly stingy to defensemen shots.

There is however, light at the end of the tunnel that makes Jakob Chychrun a guy I need to continue riding. Well first, the Flames do have an issue with handing out power plays. In just six games, Chychrun has 12 power-play shots, already tied for third-most on the team.

For those that can't math, that's a clean two power-play shots per game average, so knowing he should see 3-4 chances certainly makes me feel confident loading him up.

At the end of the day it's about volume. Chychrun is averaging 9.0 attempts per game on the year, over 3.5 shots four times. He had five last time he saw Calgary, and he's clearly trying to shoot himself off this Coyotes team.

.5u: Brock Boeser over 2.5 SOG (+110 DK)

Speaking of trying to shoot himself off a team, let's talk about Brock Boeser. Boeser was briefly a healthy scratch on Saturday as trade rumors swirl.

Boeser ultimately ended up playing, finishing with four shots on net and scoring. There's clearly some issue with Boeser and the organization, and I like following those feelings into what should be a motivated player on the ice.

Boeser has loved facing the Canadiens. He had five shots on goal against them a month ago and finished with four in both meetings with them a season ago. 

For his career, he's gotten 3+ shots in 12 of 16 against Montreal. The Habs allow the third-most shots to RWs and 34.5 per game on the road. The Canucks all look good for shots, but I'll opt for Boeser at +110.