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Monday's Best NHL Bets
By Covers.com

Washington Capitals at Tampa Bay Lightning (110, 5.5)

The Capitals will be in the playoffs if they can win their last three games, but it won’t be easy with two on the road, starting Monday at Tampa Bay.

Washington has lost just once in regulation in its last seven games and stand two points ahead of the ninth-place Buffalo Sabres. The Lightning are eliminated from playoff contention, but have won four of six.

Caps center Nicklas Backstrom returned Saturday after missing almost three months with a concussion, playing 19:40. That can only help an offense that has scored 12 goals in its last six games. Shootout victories in their last two games have given the Capitals a boost. Alex Ovechkin has no goals in his last three games, but nine in his last 10. Michal Neuvirth made 39 saves in the 3-2 victory over Montreal Saturday and is likely to get another start with Tomas Vokoun out with a groin injury. Alexander Semin has 41 points in 38 games against Tampa Bay.

Tampa's Steven Stamkos needs four goals in four games to become only the second player in 16 years to reach 60 goals in a season, joining Ovechkin (65 in 2007-08). Ryan Malone reached the 20-goal plateau for the sixth time in his eight NHL seasons by scoring five in the last two games. The Lightning’s 39 shots on goal in the 3-2 overtime victory over Winnipeg Saturday matched a season high.

The Lightning has beaten the Capitals four straight times at home.

Pick: Lightning

Edmonton Oilers at Los Angeles Kings (-240, 5)

By winning its final three games, Los Angeles will win the Pacific Division and earn the third seed in the Western Conference.

Brad Richardson is filling in admirably for Jeff Carter, who is nursing an ankle injury. Richardson tallied twice and captain Dustin Brown also scored in the Kings' 4-3 shootout loss to Minnesota on Saturday. Anze Kopitar, who has collected 21 points in his last 17 games, recorded a goal and an assist on Friday. All-Star Jonathan Quick sat out versus Minnesota, but turned aside 13 of 14 shots on Friday to improve to 6-1-3 in his career versus Edmonton.

Edmonton continues to collect points away from home. Teemu Hartikainen scored his first two goals of the season as the Oilers improved to 5-0-2 in their last seven road matches with a 2-1 victory over Anaheim on Sunday. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins notched an assist for his 51st point, tying him with Colorado's Gabriel Landeskog for the rookie scoring lead. The top overall pick of the 2011 draft, Nugent-Hopkins also had an assist in Friday's 4-1 loss to Los Angeles. Devan Dubnyk, who has won four of his last five starts, turned aside 20 shots in a 2-1 win over the Kings on Jan. 15.

Although its record leaves a bit to be desired, Edmonton has given Los Angeles a tough go this season. The Oilers have won two of the three meetings.

There's good value in the dog here.

Pick: Oilers