NHL March 9, 2026

The early afternoon puck drop brings a fascinating contrast in trajectories. Columbus at 32-21-9 (73 pts) has been one of the feel-good stories of the 2025-26 season, sitting comfortably in fourth place in the Metropolitan Division and playing with the kind of confidence you only see from teams that genuinely believe they belong. The Blue Jackets have built their success on a balanced approach, getting contributions up and down the lineup while their goaltending has been rock-solid. Nationwide Arena has been a tough building for visitors this season, and the CBJ -130 moneyline reflects a team that's earned the right to be favored at home.

Los Angeles at 25-30-7 (57 points) is having a season to forget. The Kings came into this year with legitimate playoff aspirations, and instead they find themselves 16 points behind Columbus in the standings with the calendar flipping to March. That's a staggering gap for a franchise that was playing for Stanley Cups not that long ago. The rebuild might not be the right word for what's happening in LA, but a retool is clearly on the horizon. On the road in Columbus for an early start, the Kings are in a difficult spot against a team that's playing with purpose.

The 5.5 total suggests a moderately scoring affair, and the CBJ -1.5 at +205 is where the interesting value conversation begins. Columbus has the talent and the home-ice advantage to separate in a game like this, but winning by two goals against any NHL team is never a given. The Kings are struggling, but they're not devoid of talent, and the early 4:00 PM start can sometimes produce tighter, more cautious games as teams ease into the evening. The moneyline is the cleaner play in a game where Columbus should control the pace, but the puck line offers a bigger return if you believe the Blue Jackets' home dominance will be decisive.

Washington at 31-26-7 (69 points) holds a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, and the Capitals are in a position where every game matters as the season enters its final stretch. Hosting Calgary at home gives Washington an opportunity to bank two points against a Western Conference opponent that won't threaten them in the playoff race directly. The WSH -192 moneyline is the heaviest favorite on Monday's slate, and the market is telling you that this is a game Washington is expected to handle. The Capitals have the home-ice advantage and the superior roster, and they're playing for something tangible every night now.

Calgary at 25-23-14 (64 points) is in an interesting position. Those 14 overtime losses tell you everything you need to know about the Flames' season. This is a team that's been competitive enough to push games to extra time but hasn't been able to close. Fourteen OTL is an enormous number, and it represents at least 14 points that slipped through their fingers. At 64 points, the Flames are still mathematically alive in the Western Conference playoff race, but they're running out of runway fast. Road games against legitimate contenders aren't where you make up ground, and traveling to Washington for a 7:00 PM start after crossing time zones presents its own challenges.

The WSH -1.5 at +136 is interesting because the Capitals should be able to take care of business at home, but Calgary has proven all season that they can hang with teams. The Flames' problem isn't losing big, it's losing close, and that's actually a dangerous profile for an underdog. They'll keep this competitive, which makes the puck line a risky proposition for Washington backers. The 5.5 total matches the rest of the board, and with both teams playing at a moderate pace, the over and under are essentially a coin flip. The CGY +160 moneyline has some appeal for bettors who believe the Flames' pattern of close games will continue.

Utah Hockey Club at 34-25-4 (72 points) is having a strong debut season in their new home, sitting in fourth place in the Central Division and firmly in the Western Conference playoff picture. The franchise formerly known as the Coyotes has transitioned smoothly, and the roster has responded to the fresh start with competitive, purposeful hockey. At 72 points, they're right in the thick of the Central Division race, and every road game in the final stretch is an opportunity to separate from the pack. The UTA -192 moneyline mirrors the Washington game in terms of pricing, making this another spot where the market sees a clear favorite.

Chicago at 23-29-11 (57 points) is in full development mode, and the United Center has been a tough place to be a Blackhawks fan this season. The rebuild is in its middle stages, with young players getting reps and figuring out what it takes to compete at this level night after night. Those 11 overtime losses are telling, similar to Calgary's profile, the Blackhawks have been in plenty of games but haven't been able to close. The plus side is that the young core is gaining experience, and the franchise has the draft capital and organizational depth to accelerate the rebuild. But right now, hosting a motivated Utah team that's fighting for playoff positioning is a tough matchup.

The UTA -1.5 at +130 is the most attractively priced puck line on Monday's board. Utah has the motivation, the talent advantage, and the desperation of a team that can't afford to leave points on the table this late in the season. Chicago's propensity for overtime games means they keep things close, but there's a difference between hanging around and actually winning. The 5.5 total suggests a game that could go either way in terms of scoring, but Utah's ability to generate offense combined with Chicago's defensive inconsistencies could push this toward the over. If Utah plays their game and doesn't get caught napping on the road, they should be able to win this one comfortably.

The nightcap features the biggest favorite of the day and the highest total on the board, and both of those numbers make perfect sense when you look at what's happening with these two franchises. Ottawa at 31-22-9 (71 points) is in a dogfight for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, and the Senators have the kind of offensive firepower that can light up a struggling opponent. At 71 points, they're right in the mix, and road trips to the West Coast are always tricky, but this is about as favorable a matchup as you'll find in the NHL right now. The OTT -218 moneyline is the heaviest on Monday's slate, and it's justified.

Vancouver at 19-36-8 (46 points) has had a season-long implosion that nobody predicted. The Canucks were supposed to build on their progress from recent years, and instead they've cratered to the worst record in the Pacific Division and one of the worst in the entire league. At 46 points through 63 games, this is a team averaging barely 0.73 pts per game, and the gap between them and a playoff spot is a canyon, not a crack. Rogers Arena, which was rocking last season during the Canucks' resurgence, has become a somber place. The collapse has been so complete that the trade deadline likely already stripped this roster of its veteran pieces.

The 6.5 total is the night's highest, and it tells a story about Vancouver's defensive struggles. When you're 19-36-8, you're conceding goals at an alarming rate, and Ottawa has the forwards to exploit those defensive breakdowns. The Senators' offense has been one of their strengths all season, and they should be able to generate multiple goals against a Canucks team that's essentially playing out the string. The OTT -1.5 at +114 is the best-value puck line on the board, because this is a game where Ottawa should be able to win by multiple goals. The talent gap is enormous, the motivation gap is even bigger, and Vancouver has shown no ability to rise to the occasion against superior opponents this season.

For Ottawa, this is a business trip. Get the two points, get out of Vancouver, and keep fighting for that playoff spot. The Senators can't afford to take games like this lightly, but the matchup is so favorable that even a B-effort should be enough to get the job done. The Canucks' fans deserve better than what they've watched this season, but there's no silver lining when you're this far out of the race with this few games remaining. Ottawa should control this one from start to finish.