While everyone's focusing on Super Bowl props, hockey degenerates know where the real action is. Monday brings an eight-game NHL slate with some genuinely interesting matchups.

The headliner: Toronto at Calgary in a Battle of Alberta adjacent situation. But the real money might be in Colorado hosting Detroit—the Avs just crushed the Wings 5-0 on Saturday and might be primed to do it again.

The Quick Hit

• What happened: Eight NHL games on Monday's slate
• The damage: Maple Leafs at Flames, Avalanche host Red Wings, Islanders at Caps
• Why you should care: MacKinnon just hit 40 goals—he's not slowing down
• The move: Look for value in the early evening games before sharp money moves lines

Toronto Maple Leafs at Calgary Flames

Game Time: 9:00 PM ET at Scotiabank Saddledome

Anthony Stolarz gets the start for Toronto. Dustin Wolf patrols the crease for Calgary. The Leafs are the superior team on paper, but the Flames play well at home and this line (likely around Toronto -130 to -140) doesn't offer massive value either way.

Toronto has been inconsistent on the road this season. Calgary isn't good enough to compete for a playoff spot, but they're scrappy enough to cover numbers against better teams. If you're betting this game, the puckline (+1.5 Calgary) might be the play rather than the money line.

Colorado Avalanche at Home vs Detroit Red Wings

Game Time: 9:00 PM ET at Ball Arena

Nathan MacKinnon scored twice on Saturday to become the league's first 40-goal scorer this season. Colorado won 5-0. John Gibson starts for Detroit; Mackenzie Blackwood gets the net for the Avs.

The Wings are in rough shape. Colorado has dominated this matchup historically and just proved it again two days ago. The question is whether the line (probably Avs -250 or higher) offers any value or if it's already priced in.

The angle: Back-to-back games against the same opponent can be tricky. Sometimes the losing team comes out with more energy the second time. But the talent gap here is massive. MacKinnon is in MVP form, and Detroit doesn't have an answer for him.

New York Islanders at Washington Capitals

Game Time: 7:00 PM ET at Capital One Arena

Ilya Sorokin vs Logan Thompson in net. This is a battle of two teams trying to stay relevant in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

The Islanders have been frustrating all season—talented enough to beat anyone, inconsistent enough to lose to anyone. Washington is in a similar boat. The Caps are probably slight home favorites here, but this game could go either way.

Look for: Low-scoring, tight-checking hockey. Both goalies are capable of stealing games. The under might be the smartest play.

The Rest of the Slate

Ottawa Senators at Pittsburgh Penguins (7:00 PM ET) Pittsburgh just won their sixth straight. James Reimer starts for Ottawa; Stuart Skinner for the Pens. Pittsburgh is rolling, but six-game winning streaks don't last forever.

St. Louis Blues at Nashville Predators (8:00 PM ET) Joel Hofer vs Juuse Saros. Two teams that have underperformed this season battle it out. Nashville at home is probably the lean, but neither team inspires confidence.

Montreal Canadiens at Minnesota Wild (8:00 PM ET) Sam Montembeault vs Filip Gustavsson. Minnesota has been solid at home. Montreal is in rebuild mode. The Wild should cover.

San Jose Sharks at Chicago Blackhawks (8:30 PM ET) Yaroslav Askarov vs Spencer Knight. Tank Bowl. Neither team is trying to win. Avoid this game unless you enjoy pain.

Vancouver Canucks at Utah Mammoth (9:00 PM ET) Kevin Lankinen vs Karel Vejmelka. Utah is still figuring out what they are. Vancouver has been inconsistent. This line is probably close to a pick 'em, which means there's value somewhere—just figure out which side.

Best Bets

Avalanche -1.5 (puckline): Colorado just beat Detroit 5-0 and MacKinnon is on fire. The talent gap is real. Take the Avs to cover the puckline at plus money.

Capitals/Islanders Under: Both teams play low-event hockey. Both goalies are quality. Expect a 2-1 or 3-2 type of game.

Penguins ML: Six straight wins, playing at home, against an Ottawa team that can't seem to get out of its own way. Ride the hot streak.

The Bottom Line

Eight games means plenty of opportunities to find value. The Avalanche feel like the strongest play on the board—they're the best team in action tonight and just dominated this exact opponent.

Hockey betting during Super Bowl week is for the true degenerates. If that's you, welcome to the club. Let's find some winners.