I had a real shitty day on the NHL yesterday, going 4-6 losing 5.2 units. I still don’t hate any of my bets from last night but the bad variability hit all at once. Let’s bounce back tonight on this five game slate.
Rangers vs. Predators (7:00)
Both of these teams have been playing decent hockey lately with four wins in their last five games. The Rangers have been one of the top teams in hockey this season, with a 18-5-3 record and they’re 8-2-1 at home in MSG. On the season, the Rags are averaging 3 goals per game and allowing an eighth fewest 2.58 goals per game. A lot of that is on Igor Shesterkin’s Vezina level play, but he’s still on the IR so they have to rely on Georgiev. I don’t love that in this game since the Preds already have Juuse Saros confirmed in goal. Nashville’s a decent team at 16-10-1, averaging 2.98 goals per game and allowing 2.78 goals per game. I’d slightly lean the Rangers at home here and the under but without Shesterkin, I’ll lay off this game.
Blues vs. Ducks (7:00)
Even without their top two goalies, the Blues have won their last three straight games. They’re now 15-8-4 on the season and averaging a fourth best 3.41 goals per game and allowing an average of 2.74 goals per game. With this game being the second half of a back to back for them after last night’s 4-1 win against Montreal, they’re projected to start their fourth string goaltender Jon Gillies tonight. I don’t have much faith in this dude doing a while lot in goal. The Ducks have won five of their last twelve games but still have a decent 15-9-5 record on the season. They’ve been pretty decent offensively, averaging 3.07 goals per game, good enough for tenth in the NHL and they’re allowing a tenth fewest 2.66 goals per game. With the goaltending situation for St. Louis, I’d lean the Ducks win this game. I like the over better than just betting the Blues though and will take it for half a unit.
Avalanche vs. Panthers (8:00)
This game should be electric between the top two scoring offenses in the NHL. These are two of the top teams in the NHL. Florida is 18-4-4, winning four of their last five games. They’ve averaged a second best in the league 3.77 goals per game and have allowed a twelfth fewest 2.69 goals per game. Colorado, who leads in the league in offense, scoring an average of 4.38 goals per game and seven goals on their own in their last three games, are now 15-7-2, winning four of their last five. Their defense has kind of sucked though, allowing 3.42 goals per game, which is seventh most in the NHL. The overs on Avs games has been free money lately and I’ll keep betting that trend with two units on the alternate over 6 (I hate betting 6.5 lines, but don’t hate it here if you only have 6.5).
Golden Knights vs. Wild (9:00)
Last night the win streak for the Minnesota Wild ended at eight games with a 2-1 loss for them in LA. The Wild are still on their best start in franchise history at 19-7-1. They have an electric offense that’s so fun to watch, averaging a third best in the NHL 3.67 goals per game, while they allow an average of 2.78 goals per game. Vegas, coming off a 4-3 loss to Philly at home on Friday night are 15-11 with three wins in their last five games. They’re averaging a sixth best 3.38 goals per game but allowing 3.12 goals per game. This is a tough game to predict with Vegas at home and Minnesota coming in on the second half of a back to back. The first time these teams played this season a month ago on 11/11, Vegas won 3-2. Expecting both teams to score, I’ll take the over here for half a unit.
Canucks vs. Hurricanes (10:00)
The Vancouver Canucks have gotten a new jolt with the hiring of Bruce Boudreau and they’re 3-0 since that hire, with four wins in their last five games to improve to 11-15-2 on the season. Statistically they still look pretty bad, averaging a fifth fewest 2.39 goals per game while allowing 2.96 goals per game. Carolina’s been one of the best teams in hockey this season at 19-6-1 coming into this game on four straight wins. They’re averaging an eighth most 3.23 goals per game and allowing the fewest goals in hockey, an average of only 2.15 goals per game. I’d lean Carolina here but with their backup Raanta in goal and the Canucks playing good hockey lately, I’ll just lay off this game.
Game Bets
.5u Blues/Ducks over 5.5 (-120)
2u Avs/Panthers over 6 (-148)
.5u Vegas/Minnesota over 6 (-110)
Record (Regular Season): 181-155-7 (-12.68 units)
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