Crushed hockey last night going 10-1 to win 7.08 units, getting back in the positives for the season. Let’s make it three huge days in a row on today’s nine game NHL slate!
Devils vs. Panthers (12:30)
Pretty big mismatch to start the day as the Florida Panthers head to NJ to take on the Devils. Florida’s one of the best teams in the NHL at 46-15-6, coming off a 4-0 shutout win against the Blackhawks on Thursday night and they have an 11-2-1 record in their last 14 games. The Panthers have the top scoring offense, averaging an NHL leading 4.06 goals per game. They’re allowing an average of 2.85 goals per game, eleventh fewest in the NHL. Meanwhile, the Devils got shit kicked in Boston, losing 8-1 on Thursday. They’re a terrible team at 24-38-5 and only have two wins in their last eight games (and one of those was against the Habs). They’ve averaged 3 goals per game and allowed a fourth most in the NHL average of 3.63 goals per game. These teams split their two previous games with a 7-3 home win for the Devils on November 9th and a 4-1 home win for the Panthers on November 18th. Florida should get the win here and the price on this game is cheaper than I expected. I’ll go with a unit each on the Florida ML and Florida TT over 3.5 along with half a unit on the over.
Avalanche vs. Penguins (3:00)
This should be a fun cross conference game between two good teams. The Colorado Avalanche have the best record in the NHL with a 48-14-6 record with the top seed in the West pretty much all locked up. They come into today’s game with a 7-1-1 record in their last nine games, off back to back wins against SJ and Calgary. They have the second highest scoring offense in the NHL, averaging 3.76 goals per game and they’ve allowed an eighth fewest in the NHL average of 2.74 goals per game. The Penguins are very good too, coming off a 4-3 overtime win on the road in Minnesota on Thursday night. They’re 41-18-10, currently in third place in the Metro Division. They’ve been good on both ends of the ice as well this season. Tristan Jarry’s been great in goal this season with a 2.33 GAA and .921 save percentage, leading the Pens to allow just an average of 2.59 goals per game, third fewest in the NHL. They’ve scored an average of 3.3 goals per game, tenth most in the NHL. I’d lean the Avs win this game at home and would also lean towards the under but not enough to bet on either, so I’ll just skip this game.
Bruins vs. Blue Jackets (7:00)
The Bruins are a wagon lately, coming off a huge 8-1 win against the Devils on Thursday and they have a 15-3-1 record in their last 19 games to improve to 42-20-5 record. They currently sit comfortably in the first Wild Card spot in the East and they are two points back from the Leafs for third place in the Atlantic Division. They’ve averaged 3.13 goals per game and have been fantastic defensively, allowing a sixth fewest in the NHL average of 2.67 goals per game. The Blue Jackets have sucked lately, coming into today’s game on a five game losing streak off back to back losses in their home and home against the Islanders on Tuesday and Thursday. They haven’t been bad offensively, averaging 3.19 goals per game but they’ve been horrible defensively, allowing a third most in the NHL average of 3.72 goals per game. When these teams played the first time this season on March 5th in Columbus, it took till a shootout for the Bruins to win 5-4. I’d expect them to get a win easier tonight. The ML is way too expensive at -360 or even the -220 regulation line. I’ll go with a unit each on the Bruins puck line, the over and the Bruins TT over 4.
Lightning vs. Canadiens (7:00)
Last night the Lightning got their fourth straight win, beating the Blackhawks 5-2 (triple winner for me). The back to back Cup champs will look for their three peat this season and could definitely contend to lift Lord Stanley again. They’ve averaged 3.31 goals per game this season, ninth most in the NHL and they’ve allowed an average of 2.73 goals per game, seventh fewest in the NHL. On the second half of a back to back, they’ll likely be starting Brian Elliot in goal and give Vasilevskiy the night off. Montreal’s the worst team in the NHL standings with an 18-39-11 record and come into tonight’s game on a three game losing streak, coming off a 4-0 shutout loss in Carolina on Wednesday (creative SGP winner for me) and they only have three wins in their last twelve games. The Habs have the lowest scoring offense in the NHL, averaging just 2.51 goals per game and they’ve allowed the second most goals in hockey, an average of 3.77 goals per game. Tampa won both previous matchups they had against the Canadiens this season with a 3-2 win in Montreal on December 7th and a 5-4 overtime win at home on December 28th. Even with Elliot starting and the Bolts on the second half of a back to back, I’d still expect them to beat Montreal tonight. The ML price on this game is too expensive to bet on at -335 but I’ll go with the Lightning TT over 3.5 for a unit and a half unit each on the Lightning in regulation and the over 6.
Flyers vs. Maple Leafs (7:00)
The Flyers are a joke this season, coming into today’s game on a three game losing streak with just one win in their last five games to drop to 21-35-11 on the season and they’re officially eliminated from the playoffs. Tonight they’re scratching defenseman Keith Yandle ending his NHL ironman streak at 989 games. I think that’s fucking ridiculous. This team’s results don’t matter anymore. Just let the guy finish off the season, get to 1000 straight games and then at the end of the season since his NHL career is pretty much over, just let him retire or release him. Pathetic move by a pathetic franchise. They’ve been bad on both ends of the ice this season, scoring the third fewest goals in the NHL, an average of 2.53 goals per game and they’ve allowed an eighth most in the NHL average of 3.48 goals per game. The Leafs are a joke too in a completely different way. They’re a very good team at 43-19-5 but are primed to get bounced in the first round of the playoffs again with a great offense, bad defense and terrible goaltending. They come into tonight’s game on a three game win streak with dominant victories over Winnipeg (7-3), Boston (6-4) and Florida (5-2). As expected when their top three forwards are worth $28 million per year, they have an incredible offense, averaging a third most in the NHL average of 3.73 goals per game. They’ve allowed an average of 3.03 goals per game and have gotten the worst goaltending in the NHL since January 1st. Jack Campbell returns from injury and will get the start tonight for the Leafs. The first time these teams played this season, the Leafs won in a 3-0 shutout in Philly on November 10th. They should win again here but I want nothing to do with betting this game with the prices. I’d expect this game to be pretty high scoring, especially for the Leafs and will take the over for half a unit.
Hurricanes vs. Wild (7:00)
The Wild saw their seven game win streak come to an end on Thursday, losing 4-3 in overtime to the Penguins. Minnesota’s played great hockey lately with a 9-1-2 record in their last twelve games to improve to 41-20-5 and I think they could be a significant contender to win the Stanley Cup this year. They have the fourth highest scoring offense in the NHL, averaging 3.62 goals per game. On the season they have allowed an average of 3.08 goals per game, which isn’t great but lately that hasn’t been the case. Over the course of that seven game win streak they on, the Wild allowed just an average of only 1.43 goals per game. Marc Andre Fleury will get the start for the Wild tonight in goal for his third start since getting traded from Chicago. The reigning Vezina allowed just three total goals in those two starts and on the season, mostly with a non existent Blackhawks defense in front of him he has a 2.88 GAA and .909 save percentage. The Hurricanes are a great team as well, in first place in the Metropolitan Division with a 45-15-8 record, coming off a 4-0 shutout win against the Habs on Thursday (hit a nice SGP for me) and they have a 4-0-2 record in their last six games. Freddy Andersen, who’s projected to start for the Canes tonight is having a great season with a 2.00 GAA and .929 save percentage and with his play in goal, Carolina has allowed the fewest goals in the NHL, an average of just 2.34 goals per game. They’ve been good offensively as well, averaging 3.35 goals per game, eighth most in the NHL. In a tight game the first time they played this season in Minnesota on February 12th, the Wild won 3-2. I’d expect this game to be another low scoring grind and I’ll take the under 6.5 for half a unit. I think this ends up being a close one goal game. I’d slightly lean the Wild win it but don’t like the ML enough to bet on them on the road. I will take the puck line though for half a unit, hoping if they end up losing its just by a goal.
Jets vs. Kings (7:00)
The Kings are really struggling with injuries lately. They’re coming off a big 3-2 win in Calgary on Thursday night but they have just a 5-4-3 record in their last twelve games. They come into today’s game with a 37-23-10 record, sitting in second place in the weak Pacific Division. The West is tight though so every point matters at this point in the season. LA has struggled on offense this season, averaging just 2.8 goals per game, eleventh fewest in the NHL. They have been very good defensively though, allowing a ninth fewest in the NHL average of 2.76 goals per game. The Jets have been very inconsistent this year. They’re 33-26-10 on the season and coming off a 7-3 loss in Toronto on Thursday (easy win on my over) but have played decent lately with a 9-4 record in their last 13 games. Winnipeg’s both scoring and allowing an average of 3.04 goals per game, which puts them in the middle of the NHL in both of those categories. The Jets won both previous games they played this season against the Kings with a 3-2 win in LA on October 28th and a 3-2 overtime win at home on November 13th. I’d lean the Kings win this one on the road tonight since they have more to play for to stay in a playoff spot while the Jets are on the outside looking in and likely out. I wouldn’t bet on this matchup though. I’d expect a close, low scoring game and I’ll take the under 6.5 in this one for half a unit.
Flames vs. Blues (10:00)
Last night the Blues came back from down 4-1 in the first period to ultimately lose 6-5 to the Oilers in overtime on a Connor McDavid goal. Double winner on that one for me, hitting the over easily and grinding out a win on the Blues +1.5 puck line. St. Louis is 37-20-10 on the season and they’re currently sitting in third place in the Central Division with Nashville hot on their tail just two points back with a tight Western Conference playoff race. The Blues have been very good on both ends of the ice this season. They’re scoring the fifth most goals in hockey, an average of 3.54 goals per game. They’ve had their issues defensively and from both of their goalies lately, but on the year they’re still allowing just 2.9 goals per game (13th fewest in the league). Ville Husso, who came into last night’s game in relief of Jordan Binnington is projected to start for the Blues tonight. He’s been good this season with a 2.4 GAA and .923 save percentage. The Flames are having a great year at 40-18-9 in first place in the Pacific Division and could definitely win the Cup this year. They have had a bit of their own struggles lately, coming off back to back losses to the Kings and Avs with just two wins in their last five games. Jacob Markstrom’s been one of the best goalies in the NHL this season with a 2.15 GAA, .925 save percentage and 9 shutouts on the year and he’s confirmed in goal tonight. With his play in net, the Flames have allowed the second fewest goals in hockey, an average of 2.45 goals per game and they’ve been great offensively as well, scoring a sixth most in the NHL average of 3.46 goals per game. Both games these teams played earlier this season were quite high scoring blowouts, with the Flames winning 7-1 at home on January 24th and the Blues winning 5-1 at home on January 27th. With the slump the Blues have been on and them on the road for the second half of a back to back, I think the Flames win this game pretty easily. I think the -250 moneyline is too expensive on this game but I’ll take the Flames in regulation for a unit along with the over for a unit.
Sharks vs. Stars (10:30)
Dallas is right in the middle of the tight Western Conference Wild Card race just a point behind the Golden Knights for that second spot to get a first round exit against Colorado (for the record, I think the only team that has a chance to beat the Avs from that Wild Card spot is a healthy Vegas). The Stars are 38-25-3 on the season, coming off back to back 3-2 wins in Anaheim on Thursday and Tuesday. They have five wins in their last six games. They haven’t been great on the road this season though where they have a 17-16-2 record. Dallas is averaging 2.89 goals per game and allowing an average of 2.94 goals per game. They play boring hockey and grind out games. Miro Heiskanen, easily the Stars best defenseman is expected to return to the lineup for them tonight which should bolster up their play on the back end. The Sharks have been a pretty bad team and come into tonight’s game with a 29-30-8 record off back to back road losses to Colorado (4-2) on Thursday and Arizona (5-2) on Tuesday. They have just three wins in their last nine games. SJ has been bad on both ends of the ice this year, averaging just 2.61 goals per game, fifth fewest in the NHL and allowing an average of 3.15 goals per game, twelfth most in the NHL. The first time these teams played this season, the Sharks won 2-1 in a low scoring grind at home on December 11th. I’d expect Dallas to keep their road win streak going here against the struggling Sharks and I’ll go with a unit on the Stars ML. I’d lean the under too but not enough to bet on it.
Game Bets
1u Panthers ML (-205)
1u Panthers TT over 3.5 (-165)
.5u Panthers/Devils over 7 (-106)
1u Bruins/Blue Jackets over 6.5 (-106)
1u Bruins TT over 4 (-132)
1u Bruins -1.5 (-143)
1u Lightning TT over 3.5 (-177)
.5u Lightning/Canadiens over 6 (-137)
.5u Lightning in regulation (-195)
.5u Leafs/Flyers over 6.5 (-110)
.5u Wild +1.5 (-170)
.5u Wild/Hurricanes under 6.5 (-143)
.5u Kings/Jets under 6.5 (-141)
1u Flames in regulation (-145)
1u Flames/Blues over 6.5 (+105)
1u Stars ML (-141)
Record: 643-474-26 (+4.89 units)
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