Top Expert NHL Prop Picks for Monday

Looking at the top NHL prop bet picks for Monday's four-game slate. See which teams and players our hockey betting experts like as value plays.

Here’s a look at the top NHL team and player props from our group of betting experts for Monday’s four-game slate on October 18.

NHL Team Props

Calgary Flames Over 3.5 Goals (+135) - Ryan GilbertSeattle Kraken to score first at Philadelphia Flyers (+110) - Esten McLarenWho will score the most: Maple Leafs (+220), Flames (+250), Blues (+250), Flyers (+275) - Swinging JohnsonSeattle Kraken Under 2.5 goals (-125) - Matt Jordan

NHL Player Props

Ryan O'Reilly to record a point (-135) - Ryan GilbertBlake Coleman Over 0.5 power-play points (+800) - Esten McLarenChris Kreider to score first (+1100) - Swinging JohnsonAuston Matthews Under 4.5 shots on goal (-130) - Matt Jordan

SEE ALSO: Rangers vs. Maple Leafs picks

Top Expert Team Prop Picks

Gilbert: Flames Over 3.5 Goals (+135)

The Flames head back to Calgary for their home opener after losing 5-2 to the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night. However, they outshot the Oilers 47-33. Calgary will be rocking, and the Flames will give their home crowd a show against the Ducks.

McLaren: Kraken to score first at Philadelphia Flyers (+110)

The Kraken are well warmed up with three games played and an adequate 1-1-1 record since beginning their NHL existence Tuesday. The Flyers have played just one game in which they suffered a 5-4 shootout loss to the Vancouver Canucks at home Friday. Look for the league’s newest franchise to open the scoring after Flyers G Carter Hart allowed four goals on 39 shots in his season debut.

Johnson: Who will score the most: Maple Leafs (+220), Flames (+250), Blues (+250), Flyers (+275)

The Leafs will be facing off against the Rangers but we are going to steer clear of Toronto, despite the fact it is the heavy favorite and is playing a rather defensively porous Rangers team. Instead, we are turning our attention to the Blues, a team that should be able to light the lamp early and often against the winless Coyotes, who surrendered 10 goals over their first two games. Bet the Blues +250 and cash a ticket!

Jordan: Kraken Under 2.5 goals (-125)

Might the Kraken be a bit worn down? This is the team’s fourth straight road game and they play again Tuesday at the New Jersey Devils. The club already is down top-six forwards Yanni Gourde, Calle Jarnkrok and Marcus Johansson due to injury. Seattle scored at least three goals in its first two games but was held to one Saturday on just 20 shots in an overtime loss at the Columbus Blue Jackets. Hart has historically been much better at home.

Top Expert Player Prop Picks

Gilbert: Blues C Ryan O’Reilly to record a point (-135)

O’Reilly scored during the Blues’ season opener. He plays with Ws David Perron and Brandon Saad on the team's first line, and the veteran also centers St. Louis's top power-play unit. The Blues are expected to score at least three goals, and O’Reilly should pick up a point at minimum, just as he did in 35 of the club's 56 games last season.

McLaren: Flames C Blake Coleman Over 0.5 power-play points (+800)

The 8-1 value is extraordinary as Coleman and the Flames go up against an Anaheim Ducks team that gave up 10 power-play opportunities to its first two opponents. The Ducks allowed just one goal through those 10 penalty kills but the Flames scored one power-play marker in four chances against the Edmonton Oilers Saturday. Coleman’s expected to skate on the Flames’ second power-play unit in his debut with his new team.

Johnson: Rangers LW Chris Kreider to score first (+1100)

The Maple Leafs will welcome the Rangers to Scotiabank Arena. While most bettors will be focusing on the Toronto goal scorers, we will turn our attention to the visitors. The Rangers dropped their first two games because they came to the party late on both occasions. The Washington Capitals and Dallas Stars both struck first and the Rangers were operating from a deficit from the get-go. However, that changed in their last game when Kreider drew first blood with the first goal of the game in the opening period and the Blueshirts notched a 3-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens. Let’s get on board with Kreider doing it again at odds of +1100 to score first and bring us home the cash!

Jordan: Maple Leafs C Auston Matthews Under 4.5 shots on goal (-130)

Matthews surely will be amped up to make his season debut against the Rangers following wrist surgery on Aug. 13, but it’s fair to wonder what his conditioning level might be not having played in even a preseason game yet. Matthews averaged 4.2 shots per game last year in leading the NHL with 41 goals. In 12 career games against the Rangers, he has averaged 3.4 shots per contest. New York will focus its defense on Matthews and contain him again.

SEE ALSO: Can Auston Matthews win the Hart Trophy?