Jack Hughes missed a penalty shot with 2 seconds left, so I went 0-2 last night on the NHL (shocker), losing 1.7 units. Huge 13 game slate today, let’s bounce back.
I’m being much more selective with my plays today.
Hurricanes vs. Jets (12:30)
Great cross conference matchup to start the day. Both of these teams have been fantastic this season, playing really well on both ends of the ice. Winnipeg won the first game between them 2-1 at home in December. The Jets have a defensive edge while the Canes have a offensive edge. I think this game’s pretty much a toss up. I’d lean the Hurricanes win this one at home, but not enough to bet it. I do like the under here, but at 5.5, juiced to the under, I’ll lay off this matchup completely. Should be a great battle.
Red Wings vs. Panthers (3:00)
This should be a really fun Atlantic Division matinee today. Both of these playoff teams are playing really well lately. They split their first two games, with the Panthers winning 2-0 in Detroit and the Red Wings answering with a 3-2 overtime win in Florida. I think the Panthers are the better team here and they win with their defensive edge, but Detroit’s offense has been better than Florida’s so I’ll stay off it. I’d slightly lean the over, but the right move on this game is no action at all. I’ll stay off this game but it should be a blast to watch.
Kraken vs. Oilers (4:00)
Not a great Pacific Division matchup. The Oilers are the far better team here and have already won all of the first three games between these teams this year. Although the Kraken have played pretty well lately, I like Edmonton to complete the season sweep on the road today and I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d slightly lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Blues vs. Wild (6:00)
This is a fun rivalry matchup and these two subpar teams (who will more than likely both miss the playoffs) are just a point apart in the standings. Neither of these teams have played all that well lately. The Blues have a slight edge defensively while the Wild have a slight edge offensively. Minnesota won the first game between these teams 3-1 at home. I’d slightly lean St. Louis answers back with a win at home, and the over, but not enough to bet anything on this game. I’ll skip it completely.
Predators vs. Avalanche (6:00)
Pretty interesting matchup here in the Central Division. The Preds are on fire lately, solidifying their Wild Card spot in the West as they come into tonight’s game on a seven game win streak. The Avalanche have played well too, comfortably in third place in the Division. Nashville won the first game between these teams 4-3 at home in November. I do think the Avs are the better team here and I’d lean they answer back with a win in Smashville to end this win streak for the Predators. I’d also lean the over, but not enough to bet that. I’ll stay off this game too.
Sabres vs. Golden Knights (7:00)
My Sabres are playing their best hockey right now with four wins (and a 3-2 loss in Florida) in our last five games, with UPL playing fantastic in goal. We’re still a lousy team though and the offense hasn’t gotten a whole lot going. The Golden Knights have struggled quite a bit lately, dealing with a bunch of injuries, but are still comfortably in a playoff spot, in second place in the Pacific. Buffalo won the first game between these teams 5-2 on the road in Vegas in December. I’d slightly lean the Knights answer back with a win on the road in Buffalo tonight and the under, but not enough to bet either. I’d anticipate this ends up being a pretty fun game to watch.
Maple Leafs vs. Rangers (7:00)
Fantastic Eastern Conference matchup between two playoff teams that come into tonight’s game playing really good hockey. These teams split their first two games, each winning on the road in high scoring games, a 7-3 Leafs win and then a 5-2 Rangers win. I think the Rags are the better team here but with them on the road, I think this game’s a complete toss up. I’d slightly lean the over, but not enough to bet it. I’ll stay off this game. Guaranteed we get an awesome Reavo vs. Rempe heavyweight tilt tonight. Too bad we can’t bet on that. This game will be fantastic and I can’t wait to watch it.
Lightning vs. Canadiens (7:00)
Pretty lousy Atlantic Division matchup in this game with a significant gap in talent. Tampa’s struggling a bit lately, but still are holding onto their second Wild Card spot in the West as they come off a 3-2 overtime loss at home against my Sabres on Thursday. The Habs have been awful this year. The Lightning won both previous games between these teams pretty easily, winning 5-3 on the road and then 4-3 at home. I like them to win again here, but the -270 on their moneyline is too expensive. I considered the regulation line but I like the team total on Tampa better, since their defense has been inconsistent. I’ll take the Bolts team total over 3.5 for half a unit. I’d lean the over on the game as well, but I’ll just stick to the Lightning side of it here.
Flyers vs. Senators (7:00)
Both of these teams are in the second half of back to backs tonight, both coming off losses. They’re both struggling right now, but the Flyers are the way better team here. Interestingly enough the Sens won both previous games between these teams, winning 5-2 at home and then 5-3 on the road. I’d lean Philly avoids the season sweep and the over, but this isn’t a game worth betting on to me.
Islanders vs. Bruins (7:30)
This isn’t a great matchup. Both of these teams have been in small slumps lately. The Bruins, who are tied with the Panthers to lead the East, ended their streak of six straight games going to overtime, blowing 3-0 and 4-2 leads over the Knights on Thursday, but winning 5-4 with less than five minutes left to end a three game losing streak. The Islanders haven’t been great, but come into tonight’s game off two wins in a row. Boston won both of the firs two games between these teams, winning 5-2 at home and then 5-4 in a shootout on the road. It wouldn’t shock me if this game goes to overtime too, but I like the B’s to win it and complete the season sweep. I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Blackhawks vs. Blue Jackets (8:00)
Horrible cross conference matchup here between the worst team in the NHL, and the worst team in the East. Both of these teams fucking blow on both ends of the ice. Columbus has the better offense by a decent amount, and they won the first game between these teams 7-3 at home. I’d lean they win again (likely in a closer game) and would slightly lean the under this time, but no shot I’m betting this game, nor do I give a shit who wins it.
Stars vs. Sharks (8:00)
Terrible Western Conference matchup here between one of the best and one of the worst teams. This should be a very easy win for Dallas, and the moneyline reflects that at an astonishing -500 at home. I love the Stars here, but the problem is that there is nothing worth betting on here, with the regulation line all the way up to -270, the puck line at -1.5 at -190, and the -2.5 at a -110 pick em. I can’t bet that. I’ll stay off this game solely on price. Should be a blowout win for the Stars.
Flames vs. Penguins (10:00)
Pretty decent cross conference matchup to close out the night. Neither of these teams have impressed anyone this season, and they both come into tonight on hot streaks, but I don’t see either making the playoffs. The Penguins won the first game between these teams 5-2 at home in the first week of the season. I’d lean the Flames answer back with a win at home to extend their four game win streak, but not enough to bet it. I’d also slightly lean the over but not enough to bet that either, so I’ll stay off this game.
Game Bets
.5u Oilers ML (-155)
.5u Lightning TT over 3.5 (-158)
.5u Bruins ML (-122)
Futures
4u Vegas Golden Knights – Stanley Cup Champions (+1000)
Record: 459-421-11 (-84.66 units)
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