NHL Monday betting preview: Breaking down a pair of West Division clashes

I've inevitably cooled off a bit after an outstanding initial return on investment. However, it's the way I'm losing some of these bets that has me going full tilt.

The Panthers and Wild blew very late leads and lost in overtime last Monday. Los Angeles allowed the tying goal with 44 seconds left in regulation and lost in overtime Friday after missing a chance at an empty net. The Blues blew a 3-0 lead Saturday and fell in overtime. And the Stars came back from 3-0 down Sunday only to lose in a shootout off this ridiculous Pekka Rinne save:

We're at 74-60 (+14.45 units) on the season heading into Monday. Here's hoping for less terrible luck this week.

Golden Knights (-120) @ Wild (+100)
March 8, 8 p.m. ET

I'm ready to hurt again.

I was on the Wild in both of their games against the Golden Knights in Vegas last week. Having watched every second of those two contests, I can say they were very unlucky not to earn at least a split. Minnesota blew a 4-2 lead with less than eight minutes left in the first game thanks in part to Zach Parise's gaffe. In the rematch, the Wild owned 61% of the expected goal share at five-on-five and had 15 high-danger scoring chances to just nine for the Knights.

We've seen time and time again this year just how impressive Minnesota is, and the short line shows the market is starting to buy in. The Wild sit second in the NHL in expected goals for percentage at five-on-five, second in expected goals for per 60 minutes, and eighth in expected goals against per 60. The Knights rank 11th, ninth, and 14th, respectively. Vegas should be a pick'em at best in what's a prime revenge spot for Minnesota.

Pick: Wild (+100)

Kings (-120) @ Ducks (+100)
March 8, 10 p.m.

We had rotten luck betting Kings games over the weekend, but all will be forgiven with a win here. Their impressive 3-0 comeback Saturday ended a four-game skid. They've drastically improved at five-on-five over the past three weeks, ranking 11th in the league with a 51.86 expected goals for percentage during that span. L.A. ranked dead last during the first month of the season with a mark of 40.08%.

Meanwhile, the Ducks have been in a tailspin. Anaheim ranked 28th in expected goals for percentage at five-on-five (45.91%) during a recent nine-game losing skid (0-6-3). The Kings also hold a significant edge in special teams and are good value at such a short price here.

Pick: Kings (-115)

(Odds source: theScore Bet)

Alex Moretto is theScore's supervising editor of sports betting. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, despises how the NHL handles starting goalie announcements, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.