NHL Monday bets: Shots on goal looking strong tonight

The Rangers had two big wins last week over the Lightning and Wild, and Igor Shesterkin is still one of the best goalies in the world. The Ducks are averaging 5.5 goals allowed on 43 shots per game through two games this year. New York should be able to overwhelm Anaheim at home and win this game comfortably.

Mika Zibanejad & William Nylander over 2.5 SOG (+151 CZR)

We stick with the Rangers and load up on Mika Zibanejad to take advantage of this porous Ducks defense. New York's top-line center has covered his shots on goal in all three games this year, and he's poured on an absurd 9.0 shot attempts/game.

Just because we have some hesitation around Toronto winning in regulation doesn't mean we're not loading up on SOG against Arizona. It's a nightly tradition: the Coyotes were one of the most generous teams to shots a season ago and that has easily continued this season with the team averaging 48 shots against them in two games.

William Nylander is on fire to start the year. He has 15 SOG, covering in all three games. He sure did love facing Arizona last season (probably a sentence we could write about most players). In two meetings, Nylander finished with eight and five shots on goal. He should be able to keep the volume up and get the puck on net this evening. Nylander has gone over 2.5 SOG in seven straight home games.

Auston Matthews over 4.5 SOG (-127 CZR)

We have to double-dip against Arizona, it's the law. The Coyotes have always struggled against the center position, and there aren't many centers as talented as Auston Matthews.

Matthews has recorded 5+ SOG in all three games this season and finished with five in both games against Arizona last season. I heavily considered taking him to surpass 1.5 points at +122, but ultimately opt for his shots on goal. He scored in both games against the Coyotes last season, but has never recorded 2+ points against them. I still think it's a good bet, but can't pull the trigger.

Evgeni Malkin over 2.5 SOG & Alex Ovechkin over 3.5 SOG (+164 DK)

Montreal allowed 34.4 shots per game last season, and they are right on that average through three games this season. The Canadiens' struggles typically begin against the center position, and while I do like Sidney Crosby (we'll get to him), I like Malkin's shots even more.

Malkin has started the year firing shots, going for 5+ SOG in both games on 17 attempts. That's volume I can't ignore against a soft opponent, even as Pittsburgh heads on the road.

Alex Ovechkin is here for a few reasons, but the most important piece of the puzzle is the power play. Vancouver has had some issues with penalties to begin the season, allowing nine power plays in two games.

Ovechkin led the NHL last season in shots on the power play, and that has continued this year, as Ovi has eight PP shots in just three games.

Ovechkin has ten SOG on a ridiculous 23(!) shot attempts in the past two games. He faced the Canucks twice last year, finishing with seven and six shots on goal. Ovechkin went over 3.5 shots on goal in 71% of home games last year.

Sidney Crosby & Anze Kopitar 1+ point each (+127 FD)

This combination is in the same vein of that Dylan Strome-Robert Thomas points parlay we cashed on Saturday. Both Montreal and Detroit have been vulnerable to shots from the center position, and that involvement tends to lead to points.

I also think both the Penguins and Kings are in good spots to do some scoring tonight.

Crosby has six points in two games this year and had six points in three games against Montreal last season.

Kopitar hasn't been shooting as much this season, instead acting as the creator on the top line for Los Angeles.

I like centers for shots, and where there are shots there are points. Kopitar hasn't been shooting much this year, instead acting as the creator on the Kings top line. He has four points in three games.

Jason Robertson over 2.5 SOG (-125 DK)

Winnipeg allowed the sixth-most shots to center last season, and both Mika Zibanejad and Vincent Trocheck covered their shots in the Jets' first game this season.

Winnipeg allowed 41 shots on Friday, and after seeing 33.2 shots against them last year, it looks like we can confidently target this team once again.

In slots Jason Robertson, the top-line center on Dallas who we've already become familiar with this year. Robertson has finished with six and four SOG in his first two games and is in a great spot to keep it rolling.

In four games against Winnipeg last year, Robertson went over 2.5 in each game, averaging five shots on goal total.

Adam Fox & Artturi Lehkonen 1+ point each (+187 FD)

I alluded to it above, but I like the New York Rangers to cruise, and Adam Fox is always a good bet to help out that cause.

Fox has two points on the year, both against Minnesota, and in two games against Anaheim last season he piled up four total. The Ducks got gashed by defensemen against the Islanders on Saturday, curiously allowing two separate Islanders defensemen score twice. Fox will be involved in some capacity this evening.

Minnesota has allowed seven goals in both games this year, so I'd like a piece of Colorado tonight. The best odds we find are for Artturi Lehkonen, a member of the Avalanche's top line and top power play unit.

The Wild were one of the most penalized teams in the NHL last season, and their 11 power plays allowed through two games puts them right on pace to repeat their 2021 mistakes.

Seeing Lehkonen skating with Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen on the top line and knowing he'll be on the ice for numerous power plays makes me like him for a point.

What a night of puck. Enjoy your evening, let's cash some bets!