Last night the Avalanche looked like shit, giving up three goals to the Kraken in the first period and losing 3-2. I went 2-3 with all three losses coming on the Avs and lost 4.57 units. Tonight we have an eleven game NHL slate to win it back on.

Devils vs. Sabres (7:00)

The Sabres are coming off back to back wins against the Flyers in a home and home that they played on Saturday and Sunday. They’ve played great hockey lately with three wins in their last four games and an 11-6-3 record in their last 20 games. They’re showing great signs for the future with their young core of talented players. This season they have a pretty lousy 29-38-11 record and haven’t been great on either end of the ice. Buffalo’s scoring an average of just 2.77 goals per game on the year, ninth fewest in the NHL but they’ve been good offensively more recently, averaging 3.45 goals per game in their last 15 games. Defensively they’re still pretty bad and they have lousy goaltending as they’ve allowed an average of 3.53 goals per game this season, eighth most in the NHL. The Devils lucked into a win in Vegas on Monday night with Andrew Hammond playing great in goal and the Knights hitting three or four posts. They’ve sucked this season with a 27-42-7 record and although they have 3-1-1 record in their last five games, they only have five wins in their last 17 games. They are averaging 3.04 goals per game this season but have been one of the worst defensive teams in the NHL, allowing a fifth most in the NHL average of 3.62 goals per game. Lindy Ruff and the Devils are 2-0 this season against his former team (still love you Lindy) with a 2-1 overtime win on October 23rd in Jersey and a 4-3 win in Buffalo on December 29th. I think the Sabres beat them tonight on the road and I’ll take them for half a unit. Along with that, I’ll take the over 6.5 for a unit. I’ll also add in a unit SGP of the alternate over 5.5, Sabres +1.5 and both Tage Thompson and Victor Olofsson to score.

Canadiens vs. Flyers (7:00)

Both of these teams are bad. The Flyers are 23-43-11 and on a six game losing streak with only two wins in their last 13 games. They’ve scored the third fewest goals in the NHL, an average of only 2.56 goals per game and they’ve allowed a fifth most average of 3.62 goals per game. The Habs are even worse and are on a six game losing streak as well after getting shut out 2-0 by the Wild on Tuesday. Montreal has the worst record in the NHL at 20-46-11. They scored a second fewest in the NHL average of 2.52 goals per game and have allowed the most goals in hockey, an average of 3.83 goals per game. Carey Price will make his third start of the season tonight and has a 2.02 GAA and .918 save percentage in his two starts. Both games these shitty teams have played against each other this season needed more than 60 minutes to determine a winner as the Habs won 3-2 at home in a shootout on December 16th and then 4-3 in overtime in Philly on March 13th. I’d lean the Canadiens win this game at home to give Carey Price his first win since his return and the under, but not enough to bet on either.

Panthers vs. Red Wings (7:00)

This is a giant mismatch between one of the best teams in the NHL and one of the worst. Florida is a powerhouse this season, tied in points with a game in hand over Colorado for the President’s Trophy. They’re 55-15-6, coming into tonight’s game on an eleven game win streak and have a 20-2-1 record in their last 23 games with a 32-6 record at home. The Panthers have the highest scoring offense in the NHL, averaging 4.17 goals per game and they’ve allowed an average of 2.84 goals per game, eleventh fewest in the NHL. The Red Wings are coming off a shocker of a win on the road, beating Tampa 4-3 in overtime on Tuesday. They’ve completely sucked though. They’re 30-37-10 this season and they only have six wins in their last 22 games. Detroit’s horrible on both ends of the ice. They’ve scored an average of 2.79 goals per game, eleventh fewest in the NHL and they’ve allowed the second most goals in hockey, an average of 3.79 goals per game. As you’d expect, Florida is 3-0 against the Red Wings this season with a 3-2 overtime win on October 29th, blew them out 6-2 on March 5th and then again 6-1 in Detroit just this past Sunday. The prices on everything in this game are fucking ridiculous, but I’ll take the Florida TT over 4.5 for 1.5 units.

Penguins vs. Bruins (7:00)

These two Eastern Conference playoff teams just played against each other on Saturday afternoon in Boston where the Bruins grinded out a 2-1 win. That evened up the season series between these teams with the Penguins winning 4-2 in Boston on February 8th. The Bruins are in the first Wild Card spot in the East and with the Eastern Conference playoff teams all set, they’re just playing for seeding at this point, a point back from Tampa for third place in the Atlantic Division. They’re 47-24-5 this season and they’re coming off a 3-2 win in St. Louis on Tuesday. The B’s have been great defensively, allowing a fourth fewest in the NHL average of 2.67 goals per game and they’ve scored an average of 3.08 goals per game. They grind out low scoring wins. David Pastrnak and Hampus Lindholm are still out of the lineup. The Penguins are in third place in the Metropolitan Division with a 43-23-11 record, tied in points with the Capitals who are in the second Wild Card right now. Pittsburgh’s limping into the playoffs with only two wins in their last eight games. They’ve scored an eleventh most in the NHL average of 3.26 goals per game and they’ve allowed the fifth fewest goals in the NHL, an average of just 2.7 goals per game. With Tristan Jarry out with a broken foot until the playoffs so the Pens will have to rely on back Casey DeSmith until then, who hasn’t been great with a 2.89 GAA and .907 save percentage. I like the Bruins to win this game on the road tonight and don’t expect a ton of scoring. I’ll take the B’s for a unit and the under 6 in this game for a half unit.

Hurricanes vs. Jets (7:00)

Carolina’s tied in points with the Rangers for first place in the Metropolitan Division with a 49-20-8 record. They’re coming off a 5-3 win in Arizona on Monday night but they haven’t been playing good lately with only eight wins in their last 18 games which isn’t a great way to go into the playoffs. They’ve allowed the fewest goals in hockey (tied with the Rangers), an average of just 2.44 goals per game. Their starting goaltender Freddy Andersen is out injured, so they’ll have to rely on Antti Raanta, who isn’t bad either with a 2.46 GAA and .912 save percentage. The Canes offense has been pretty good too, scoring a ninth most in the NHL average of 3.31 goals per game. They’re also still missing captain Jordan Staal and Jesperi Kotkaniemi. The Jets are on a three game losing streak, coming off a 3-0 shutout loss to the Rangers on Tuesday night. They’ve been very inconsistent this season with a 35-31-11 record and they only have two wins in their last nine games. They’re not great on either end of the ice, scoring an average of 2.99 goals per game and allowing 3.14 goals per game. Back up Eric Comrie will start for them tonight, who has a 2.69 GAA and .914 save percentage. When these teams played in Winnipeg on December 7th, the Hurricanes won 4-2 on the road. I think they win again tonight but don’t think its worth betting the -265 moneyline. I will take the Canes in regulation for a unit though.

Islanders vs. Rangers (7:30)

The Rangers are playing great right now, coming into tonight’s game with three straight shutout wins against Winnipeg, Detroit and Philly. They’re tied with the Hurricanes in points for the top spot in the Metropolitan Division (Canes have the tie breaker) with a 50-21-6 record and they have six wins in their last seven games. The Rags have allowed the fewest goals in the NHL, an average of just 2.44 goal per game. Like Vezina winner Igor Shesterkin will get the night off with Alexandar Georgiev confirmed in goal. He hasn’t been great this season with a 2.91 GAA and .898 save percentage but he has been good lately with wins in his last six starts and two shutouts in that span. Offensively, they’re averaging 3.04 goals per game. The Islanders were eliminated from the playoffs with their Sunday loss to the Leafs and they then lost again on Tuesday against the Panthers. They started the season too lousy to get into the playoffs but they have played pretty well the second half of the season with a 14-7-2 record in their last 23 games. The Isles have been very good defensively as well, allowing a sixth fewest in the NHL average of 2.72 goals per game. They’ve been pretty lousy offensively though, scoring an average of just 2.74 goals per game, eighth fewest in the NHL. The road team won all three games in the season series between these two New York City rivals with the Rangers winning 4-1 on Long Island on November 24th then the Islanders winning 2-1 in MSG on March 17th and then shutting out the Rangers in MSG with a 3-0 road win on April 1st. I think the Rags keep the road trend going and get a win on Long Island tonight. If Shesterkin was starting for the Rangers tonight, I’d be on this game heavier but I’m still going to bet it even with Georgiev and I’ll take the Rangers and the under 6 for a half unit each.

Lightning vs. Maple Leafs (8:00)

The defending back to back Stanley Cup champion Lightning are limping back into the playoffs this season. They’re 46-22-8 and currently a point ahead of the Bruins for third place in the Atlantic Division, playing for seeding. The Bolts coming off a surprising 4-3 overtime loss at home to the Red Wings and they only have three wins in their last nine games. They’ve been good on both ends of the ice this season. They have scored an average of 3.3 goals per game, tenth most in the NHL and have allowed an average of 2.78 goals per game, ninth fewest in the NHL. Andrei Vasilevskiy’s confirmed in goal tonight and although he hasn’t been fantastic lately, he still is one of the top goalies in the NHL with a 2.49 GAA and .916 save percentage. The Maple Leafs are playing great hockey right now, on a four game win streak with a 12-1-1 record in their last 14 games. They’re in second place in the Atlantic Division with a 41-20-6 record. Toronto has the second highest scoring offense in the NHL, averaging 3.87 goals per game. They’ve had their struggles defensively and with goaltending, especially in the second half of the season, allowing an average of 3.07 goals per game. Rookie Erik Kallgren’s confirmed in goal tonight and hasn’t been very good for them with a 3.02 GAA and .895 save percentage. This could be a preview of the first round playoff series we see between these teams if they finished second and third in the Atlantic. The Leafs are 2-1 this season against the Bolts, winning 2-1 in overtime at home on November 4th, losing 5-3 at home on December 9th and then winning 6-2 on the road in Tampa on April 4th. I’d slightly lean the Lightning win this game at home, but want no part in betting either side. I do expect both teams to be able to score though and I’ll take the over for a unit. 

Wild vs. Canucks (8:00)

This should be an awesome game between two teams that are both playing great right now. The Wild are 48-21-7, tied in points with the Blues with the tiebreaker for home ice in their first round playoff series. They’ve been incredible lately with a 14-1-3 record in their last 17 games. Minnesota has the fifth highest scoring offense in the NHL, averaging 3.66 goals per game. They’ve had their struggles defensively at times this season and have allowed an average of 3.04 goals per game on the year. Lately though they’ve been much better than that defensively, allowing an average of only 2.45 goals per game in their last 18 games with the goaltending tandem of Cam Talbot and Marc Andre Fleury playing great. The Canucks have been hot as well. Their six game win streak came to an end in a shootout at home against the Sens (double loser for me) on Tuesday. They still have an outside shot at making the playoffs with their 38-28-11 record, currently four points back from Dallas for the Wild Card. Defensively they’ve been good all season, allowing an average of just 2.77 goals per game, eighth fewest in the NHL. Thatcher Demko, who’s starting in goal tonight has been solid with a 2.64 GAA and .917 save percentage this season. Offensively on the year they haven’t been very good, averaging 2.99 goals per game but in their last seven games they have scored an average of 5 goals per game in that span. The Wild won both previous games they played against the Canucks this season, winning 3-2 in Vancouver on October 26th and then 3-2 again in overtime on March 24th. I’ll take the Wild here to win at home and will take the ML for a unit. I’d lean the over as well but not enough to bet on it.

Flames vs. Stars (9:00)

The Stars are 43-29-5 and still hanging onto their playoff spot in the second Western Conference Wild Card spot with Vegas just two points back behind them. Last night they took their second loss in a row, losing 5-2 in Edmonton but they’ve played decent lately with a 10-5-2 record in their last 17 games. Dallas hasn’t been great on the road this season where they have a 19-19-2 record and they play pretty boring hockey. They’re scoring an average of just 2.84 goals per game, 13th fewest in the NHL and they’ve allowed an average of 2.99 goals per game. Calgary has been fantastic this season, leading the Pacific Division with a 47-20-10 record. They’re coming off a 3-2 loss Tuesday to the Predators on the second half of a back to back on the road but they’ve played great lately with seven wins in their last nine games. The Flames have been great on both ends of the ice. They’re scoring an average of 3.55 goals per game, sixth most in the NHL and they’ve allowed the third fewest goals in the league, an average of only 2.48 goals per game. They’ll likely be starting Jacob Markstrom in goal tonight, who’d I’d assume comes second behind Igor Shesterkin in Vezina voting this season with a 2.21 GAA, .923 save percentage and 9 shutouts. The road teams won both matchups these teams played this season with the same 4-3 scores with the Stars winning in overtime on November 4th and the Flames winning on February 1st. I really like the Flames tonight, coming off a loss and going against a weaker Dallas team that is on a back to back on a road trip. I’ll lay the higher juice on the Flames ML, cut down on some juice on the regulation line and the alternate over 5.5 for a unit each. I’ll also take the Flames TT over 3.5 for half a unit.

Kings vs. Blackhawks (10:30)

The Kings are still holding onto their third place spot in the Pacific Division with a 41-27-10 record and a three point lead over the Vegas Golden Knights. They have three wins in their last four games but haven’t played all that great lately. I’d guess they will likely be an easy matchup against whoever is seeded against them in the first round if they stay in a playoff spot. Their defense and goaltending has been good this season, allowing a tenth fewest in the NHL average of 2.82 goals per game. Offensively they haven’t been very good though, averaging 2.79 goals per game, eleventh fewest in the NHL. The Blackhawks beat the Coyotes 4-3 in overtime last night but that’s not saying a whole lot since the Yotes are even worse than the pathetic Hawks are. Chicago’s 26-40-11 this season and only have two wins in their last twelve games. They’ve been horrible on both ends of the ice, averaging just 2.64 goals per game, sixth fewest in the NHL and allowing an average of 3.56 goals per game, seventh most in the NHL. Collin Delia will start in goal for them tonight and he’s been horrible with a 3.93 GAA and .898 save percentage in his four starts this year. These teams split their two games this season, with the Blackhawks winning 4-3 in a shootout in LA on March 24th and then the Kings answering back with a 5-2 win in Chicago last Tuesday. I’d expect LA to win at home tonight to keep controlling their destiny to get into the playoffs. The -250 moneyline price on the Kings isn’t worth betting on but I’ll take the Kings in regulation for a unit. I’d lean the over but not enough to bet on it with a 6.5 line.

Sharks vs. Blues (10:30)

The Blues are one of the hottest teams in the NHL right now. Their nine game win streak came to an end on Tuesday night with a 3-2 loss in overtime against the Bruins but they still haven’t lost in regulation in their last 13 games with an awesome 11-0-2 record in that span. They’re 46-20-11 on the season and tied in points, but without the tiebreaker with their first round playoff opponent Minnesota Wild so they’re playing for home ice. St. Louis has been very good on both ends of the ice. They’re scoring an average of 3.74 goals per game, fourth most in the NHL and they’ve allowed an eleventh fewest in the NHL average of 2.84 goals per game. Jordan Binnington, who took more of a backup role behind Ville Husso this season will likely be starting tonight. He has a sort of crappy 3.14 GAA and .903 save percentage this season but he’s won his last three starts and has allowed an average of just two goals per game in those game. The Sharks are coming off a 3-2 win against the Blue Jackets on Tuesday that ended their ten game losing streak. This team has a 30-34-12 record and has been one of the worst teams in the NHL in the second half of the season with only eight wins in their last 33 games. San Jose’s offense is one of the worst in the NHL, averaging only 2.58 goals per game, fourth fewest in the NHL and they’re only a bit better defensively, allowing a twelfth most in the NHL average of 3.16 goals per game. The Blues won both games these teams have played this season by multiple goals, winning 5-3 in San Jose on November 4th and then 4-1 at home on November 18th. I love the Blues to win here on the road to bounce back from Tuesday’s loss and I’ll take them for 2.5 units along with a half unit shot on the Blues -2.5. I’d slightly lean the over but not enough to bet on it.

Game Bets

.5u Sabres ML (+125)
1u Sabres/Devils over 6.5 (-128)

1u SGP: Sabres/Devils over 5.5 & Sabres +1.5 & Tage Thompson over .5 goals & Victor Olofsson over .5 goals (+1275)

1.5u Panthers TT over 4.5 (-143)

1u Bruins ML (+102)

.5u Bruins/Penguins under 6 (-120)

1u Hurricanes in regulation (-162)

.5u Rangers ML (-115)

.5u Rangers/Islanders under 6 (-135)

1u Leafs/Lightning over 6.5 (-130)

1u Wild ML (-177)

1u Flames ML (-220)

1u Flames in regulation (-134)

1u Flames/Stars over 5.5 (-130)

.5u Flames TT over 3.5 (-114)

1u Kings in regulation (-152)

2.5u Blues ML (-195)

.5u Blues -2.5 (+220)

Record: 767-560-30 (+28.85 units)

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