Last night I went 8-3-2 losing 1.3 units. Considering the Sens shit all over Florida and the Sabres won in Winnipeg…I’ll take that. Let’s bounce back tonight on this three game NHL slate.
Blackhawks vs. Capitals (8:00)
The Washington Capitals are a fantastic team, with a 17-5-6 record and three wins in their last four games. The Caps are fifth in the NHL in scoring, averaging 3.39 goals per game lead by Ovechkin’s 44 points (only trailing Draisaitl and McDavid, 45) and 20 goals (only trailing Draisaitl). They’re also very good on the backend, allowing a fifth fewest 2.5 goals per game. Chicago sucks. They’ve only won two of their last five games (against Montreal and the Islanders) and are now 10-15-2. They are averaging 2.19 goals per game, the fourth fewest in the NHL while still allowing a pretty high average of 3.19 goals per game. These teams played two weeks ago on 12/2 and the Hawks got a big 4-3 win in a shootout in Washington. I’m not putting a ton of stock into that game and jumping on the Capitals here for a unit on the ML and a half unit on the puck line.
Coyotes vs. Rangers (9:00)
The Rangers are one of the top teams in hockey at 18-7-3 but they’ve definitely struggled with the absence of goalie Igor Shesterkin, losing three of their last five games. The wins they’ve had with Georgiev this season came against very weak competition of the Sabres, Blackhawks, Ottawa and NJ. He’s not getting the job done against good teams with the Rags winning on defense and goaltending. As a team, the Rangers are averaging 2.86 goals per game and allowing a seventh fewest in the NHL average of 2.57 goals per game. Shesterkin is currently projected to start on Left Wing Lock but not confirmed and ESPN still lists him on the IR…which makes me doubt he actually starts. NY is on second half of a back to back on the road after last night’s 4-2 loss in Colorado. The Arizona Coyotes blow. They’re on a five game losing skid and have a 5-20-2 record, one of the worst in the NHL. They’re averaging a league worst 1.78 goals per game and allowing a league most 3.67 goals per game. Most of the hockey gambling industry seems to be on the Yotes +1.5 tonight, but I actually like the Rangers to win this one in regulation and for now, expecting Georgiev to play I will take this for half a unit. If for some reason (which I doubt), Shesterkin starts, I’ll bump this up to a unit.
Ducks vs. Kraken (10:00)
The 10-15-3 Kraken have been playing bad hockey lately and after their 3-1 win in SJ last night, have just one win in their last four games. Seattle’s averaging 2.86 goals per game, which isn’t getting the job done when they’re giving up a ton of goals. They’re allowing a fourth worst 3.5 goals per game, which can mainly be attributed to Grubauer’s shitty play in goal, with a 3.25 GAA and .884 save percentage. The Ducks have three wins in their last four games and they’ve been having a much better season than expected at 16-9-5, sitting at the top of the Pacific Division. Their young offensive core with Trevor Zegras, Troy Terry and Sonny Milano are leading the way as this team is averaging 3.07 goals per game and they’ve been good on the back end as well, allowing a ninth fewest average of 2.63 goals per game. When these teams played in Seattle on 11/11, the Ducks cruised past Seattle in a 7-4 win. Even with Anthony Stolarz (2.26 GAA, .930 save percentage) confirmed in goal for Anaheim, which is a step back from John Gibson, I think the Ducks should be able to ride to another win here. I’ll take the Ducks ML for a unit. I’d lean the over as well, but not enough to bet on it.
Game Bets
1u Capitals ML (-140)
.5u Capitals -1.5 (+180)
.5u Rangers in regulation (-129)
1u Ducks ML (-160)
Record (Regular Season): 190-160-9 (-17.04 units)
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