Matthews to pile up shots vs. Devils
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We have one of our last jam-packed cards of the season Thursday night. Let's waste no time getting to our bets.
Auston Matthews: Over 4.5 shots
Matthews is firing on all cylinders as he continues his quest for 70 goals. He leads the NHL in scoring chances over the past 10 games and has recorded more shots on goal than all but Nathan MacKinnon in that span.
Playing with Max Domi has seen Matthews hit a different gear shooting the puck. Matthews attempts nearly 10 more shots per 60 minutes of five-on-five play when riding shotgun with Domi over Mitch Marner or William Nylander. He's also scoring 2.95 goals per 60 minutes with Domi, miles ahead of his 1.6 average with the other two players.
Matthews is the biggest shooting threat in the league right now. There's no reason to expect that to change against the Devils.
The 26-year-old is chasing history and has an excellent matchup in front of him. New Jersey is bleeding shots every night. And with Jack Hughes shut down for the season, they're spending even more time on their heels.
This is a spot where Matthews could produce a multi-goal performance and put himself within reach of 70. I expect him to be firing early and often.
Odds: -114 (playable to -135)
Erik Karlsson: Over 2.5 shots
Karlsson has gone over this total in six of the past 10 games, averaging nearly seven shot attempts per contest.
His recent shooting success should continue in an advantageous matchup against the Red Wings. They're giving up a lot of shot volume nightly, especially to opposing defensemen. Only the Blue Jackets have allowed more shots on goal per game to the position over the last 10 contests.
Karlsson averages more than 24 minutes per game and is one of the few offensively dynamic weapons the Penguins feature.
Head coach Mike Sullivan will no doubt heavily rely on Karlsson to create offense in a matchup between two sides fighting for the Eastern Conference's final wild-card spot.
Karlsson had no problem doing so in recent meetings, recording four shots on goal in four of the past five versus Detroit. Expect him to make his mark offensively again.
Odds: -134 (playable to -150)
Brock Nelson: Over 2.5 shots
Nelson is one of the most consistent shot-generators in the league on home ice. He's registered at least three shots in 25 of 38 games in New York, good for a 66% success rate.
Although his volume has dipped a little lately, the Canadiens could be just what the doctor ordered to get back on track.
Columbus and Detroit are the only teams to have conceded more shots on goal than Montreal over the past 10 games.
The Canadiens also sit 30th in shots allowed to opposing centers in that span, making this an opportune spot for Nelson to make noise.
With the Islanders still trying to solidify a playoff position, Patrick Roy will give Nelson and the team's top players a full workload.
Odds: -125 (playable to -140)
Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X at @ToddCordell.