Auston Matthews and Cole Caufield are my picks to score during Monday’s NHL action.
The pregame narrative: Matthews is having a down year but draws an A-plus matchup against the San Jose Sharks. Caufield, meanwhile, has been surging and holds solid value to score against the Buffalo Sabres.
Check out my NHL anytime goal picks for March 3.
NHL anytime goal picks
Best Bet: Matthews anytime goalscorer (-120)
This is a steeper price to pay for an anytime goalscorer prop.
If you’re not into that, it’s understandable — I also like William Nylander to score for Toronto tonight at plus money, which I explain in my Maple Leafs vs. Sharks prop bets.
But I’m double-dipping on Toronto’s top dogs and for good reason. The Sharks are closer to an AHL team than a Stanley Cup contender and rank near the bottom of the NHL in a handful of meaningful defensive categories.
Check out how San Jose sits defensively on a 60-minute basis, per Natural Stat Trick:
- 32nd in goals (3.67)
- 32nd in shots (31.9)
- 31st in chances (66.33)
- 29th in high-danger chances (12.69)
That’s really, really bad.
Matthews hasn’t quite been himself this season but just got off the schneid on Sunday and is carrying a nine-game point streak into tonight’s contest.
The three-time Rocket Richard winner should have a boatload of opportunities to light the lamp tonight.
Key stat: Matthews has 12 goals in 13 career games against the Sharks, scoring in four of the last five meetings between these teams.
Quick pick
Caufield anytime goalscorer (+155): Team USA decided to leave Caufield at home for the 4 Nations Face-Off and it looks like the 24-year-old is using that to fuel the fire.
He’s scored in back-to-back games and now sits at 29 goals on the season, which is a career-high mark.
Caufield and the Canadiens aren’t expected to win on most nights but Montreal should have a solid chance at picking up points against Buffalo.
- The Sabres give up the eighth-most high-danger chances per 60 (11.59).
- Buffalo has the fifth-worst save percentage in the NHL (.893).
Caufield scored a goal against the Sabres on Saturday and had two goals against them on Nov. 11.
Picks made at 2:25 p.m. ET on 03/02/2025.
Avery joined NorthStar Gaming as an intern in 2022 before stepping into a full-time role soon after. He loves betting on and analyzing golf — mainly because it’s easier than actually playing — but is a fan of all sports, from the NFL to the UFC.