Finished the first month of the NHL season last night with a fantastic 8-3 Halloween win for the Sabres, cashing my only bet of the night. Tonight, let’s make it two winning nights in a row on this huge twelve game slate.
Rangers vs. Flyers (7:00)
The Rangers rattled off back to back wins on the weekend in Dallas (6-3) on Saturday and Arizona (3-2) on Sunday to bounce back from their four game losing streak. They’re now 5-3-2 on the season but they haven’t looked as good as they did last season on their run to the Eastern Conference Finals. They’ve scored an average of 3.1 goals per game on an average of 36.5 shots on goal and they have allowed an average of 3 goals per game on an average of 29.2 shots they’ve given up. The Flyers are playing great hockey under Torts. He has his boys overachieving with a 5-2-1 record, coming off a 4-3 overtime loss to the Hurricanes on Saturday. They’ve been pretty solid on both ends of the ice for the low expectations they had after last season. They are averaging 3 goals per game on an average of just 27.4 shots on goal per game and they’ve allowed an average of just 2.63 goals per game on an average of 35.9 shots given up with great play in goal from Carter Hart (2.31 GAA, .938 save percentage). Last year the Rangers won three of the four games these rivals played last season with the under hitting in the three wins and the Flyers win going over. I like the Rangers to win this game but think they’re way too highly priced at -265. If anything my bet here would be the Flyers +1.5 or even the ML just on value alone but I’d rather just stay off this game entirely. I’d slightly lean the under with Carter Hart vs. Igor Shesterkin battling it out in goal but not enough to bet on it.
Lightning vs. Senators (7:00)
After a bit of a slow start to the season, the Bolts have seemingly gotten right with four wins in their last five games to improve to 5-4 on the season. Tonight they come home from a Cali road trip off wins in San Jose (4-3) and Anaheim (4-2). Tampa has both scored and allowed an average of 3.11 goals per game while getting outshot 30.9-32.2 on average. The Sens are 4-4 coming off a 5-3 loss on the road to the Panthers on Saturday. They’ve been good offensively, averaging 3.75 goals per game on an average of 32.3 shots per game. They haven’t been as great defensively, allowing an average of 3.38 goals per game on an average of 34.6 shots allowed. Last year the Lightning won three of their four games against Ottawa. I’d lean the Bolts win again at home tonight but don’t think its worth the -195 price, so I’ll stay off this game. I’d lean the over as well but not enough to bet it.
Capitals vs. Golden Knights (7:00)
The Golden Knights are buzzing to start the season under new head coach Bruce Cassidy after missing the playoffs last year and they come into tonight’s game with an 8-2 record. They’ve played great hockey on both ends of the ice. Jack Eichel is putting his new team on his back, leading the Knights in scoring with ten points (4 goals, 6 assists) and their offense has averaged 3.2 goals per game on an average of 34 shots per game and they’re second in the league behind Jersey in high danger scoring chances. Vegas has played fantastic on the back end, top five in hang danger shot suppression and allowing an average of only 1.7 goals per game on 29 shots allowed on average. The Caps have been okay, starting their year with a 5-4-1 record. They’re on the second half of a back to back tonight after a 3-2 shootout loss in Carolina last night. Washington has scored an average of 3 goals per game on an average of 28 shots on goal and they’ve allowed an average of 2.8 goals per game on an average of 32.8 shots allowed. They started the season with several key injuries and are now even more depleted with injuries to TJ Oshie and John Carlson to go along with Tom Wilson, Nick Baskstrom, Connor Brown and Carl Hagelin. Last year in the two games between these teams who met in the 2018 Stanley Cup Finals, the Knights won both games by a goal with a 1-0 shutout win and a 4-3 overtime win. I love the Golden Knights to stay hot on the road tonight against a depleted Caps team and will take them for a unit at a reasonable -155 price.
Blackhawks vs. Islanders (8:00)
The Blackhawks started the season hot and overachieving but come into tonight’s game on a three game losing streak dropping to 4-3-2 on the season after a 4-3 shootout loss to the Wild on Sunday and a 4-3 overtime loss to the Sabres on Saturday. They’ve been very efficient on offense, scoring an average of 3.44 goals per game on an average of just 26.1 shots generated per game. Defensively, they’ve allowed an average of 3.33 goals per game on an average of 34.3 shots allowed. The Isles come into tonight’s game on a three game win streak after big wins against the Rangers, Hurricanes and Avalanche. The Islanders have been very good on both ends of the ice. They’re scoring an average of 3.67 goals per game on an average of 33.3 shots per game and they’ve allowed an average of just 2.67 goals per game on an average of 32.6 shots allowed. These teams split their two games last season with a 4-1 Isles win and a 3-2 Blackhawks win. The Isles should win here on the road but with how closely the Hawks have been playing teams lately, I don’t think its worth betting on New York at the -200 price.
Wild vs. Canadiens (8:00)
Minnesota had a miserable start to their season mainly on poor goaltending and defense but after a 4-3 shootout win in Chicago on Sunday, they return home tonight with three wins in their last four games to improve to 4-4-1 on the season. Their offense has been fine, scoring an average of 3.33 goals per game on an average of 34.6 shots on goal. They’ve struggled with the goaltending from Mark Andre Fleury, who despite having a 4-1-1 record has a 3.69 GAA and .880 save percentage. The Wild have allowed an average of 3.89 goals per game on an average of 31.4 shots allowed. Montreal has played good hockey so far this season under new head coach Marty St. Louis. They’re 5-4 on the year, coming into tonight’s game off back to back wins after embarrassing the Blues in St. Louis in a 7-4 blowout on Saturday after they beat the Sabres 3-2 on Thursday. The Habs have both scored and allowed an average of 3 goals per game, getting outshot by an average of 29.2-32.4. Last year the Wild won all three games they played against the Canadiens by multiple goals, beating them 8-2, 2-0 and 3-1. I like the Wild to win tonight at home and continue to improve, but no way I could trust this team enough right now to lay the -245 price here, so I’ll just skip betting this game. I like the over though and will take the alternate over 6 for half a unit.
Penguins vs. Bruins (8:00)
The Penguins have been struggling big time lately, coming into tonight’s game on a four game losing streak, not scoring more than a goal in each of their last three games. The Pens return home tonight after a five road trip with a 4-4-1 record. On the season they’ve scored an average of 3.56 goals per game on an average of 37.2 shots on goal. Defensively, they’ve allowed an average of 3.22 goals per game on an average of 35.2 shots allowed. The B’s on the other hand are absolute cup contenders out of the East this season under new head coach Jim Montgomery. They got their best player in Brad Marchand back last week to add to an already fantastic offense, averaging 4.22 goals per game on an average of 35.2 shots per game. Defensively they’ve been very good too, allowing an average of just 2.33 goals per game on an average of 31 shots allowed. Last season, the Penguins won two of the three games that these teams played. I like the Bruins to get a win here on the road in what should be a close Eastern Conference game. That being said, I think this could be a desperation spot for the Penguins to get a win at home tonight in a huge spot against the best team in the league to start the season. I’ll stay off this game from a betting perspective but there’s a ton of value on the B’s at even money.
Stars vs. Kings (8:30)
The Stars started their season hot but coming off a 6-3 loss at home to the Rangers on Saturday afternoon, they’ve now 5-3-1 with three losses in their last four games. Dallas has been pretty good on both ends of the ice to start the year. They’re averaging 3.11 goals per game on an average of 28.9 shots per game and they’ve allowed an average of 2.33 goals per game on an average of 31 shots allowed. The Kings are 6-5 on the season with three big wins in their last four games. They’re on the second half of a back to back after embarrassing the Blues last night in a 5-1 blowout in St. Louis. LA’s offense has been pretty good this season, averaging 3.64 goals per game on an average of 33.1 shots per game. They’ve been pretty bad defensively though, allowing an average of 3.82 goals per game on an average of 30.8 shots per game. The Stars won two of the three games these teams played last season with a 3-2 overtime win, 4-3 win and 4-0 shutout loss. I’d lean the Stars win this game at home tonight especially with the Kings on the second half of a road back to back, so this feels like a let down spot for LA. I don’t love it enough to bet on though, still trying to reduce my bets until I get back in the groove of picking winners consistently.
Flames vs. Kraken (9:00)
The Flames are coming off a 3-2 loss at home to the Oilers in the second Battle of Alberta of the season on Saturday night (double loser for me on Calgary and the over). They’re still one of the best teams in the NHL in my opinion and my pick to win the Cup with a 5-2 record this year. Calgary’s been good on both ends of the ice. They’re scoring an average of 3.43 goals per game on an average of 37.4 shots per game and they’ve allowed an average of 2.86 goals per game on an average of 27.6 shots allowed. The Kraken, as one of the worst teams of last season as an expansion team have definitely improved this year with a 4-4-2 record. They’re coming off a 3-1 win against the Penguins on Saturday night to bounce back from their 5-4 loss to the Canucks on Thursday. They’ve been pretty good offensively, scoring an average of 3.3 goals per game on an average of 32.3 shots per game. Defensively they’ve been good at limited shot against with an average of 26.1 shots allowed per game but they’ve had lousy goaltending, allowing an average of 3.4 goals per game. They’ll be starting Joey Daccord tonight for the first time this season. Last season the Flames swept the season series between these teams, winning all four games by multiple goals. I like the Flames to bounce back with what should be an easy win tonight against the Kraken and will take the Flames in regulation for a unit.
Oilers vs. Predators (9:00)
The Oilers are 6-3 on the season after rattling off four straight wins, most recently with a 3-2 win in Calgary for the second Battle of Alberta of the year. Connor McDavid leads the NHL in scoring this season with 18 points (9 goals, 9 assists) and the Edmonton offense has averaged 3.78 goals per game on an average of 33 shots per game. Defensively, they’ve allowed an average of 3.11 goals per game on an average of 35 shots allowed. The Predators have struggled big time since opening their season with back to back wins in Prague, coming into tonight’s game with a 3-5-1 record and only one win in their last seven games. Nashville’s offense has struggled, scoring an average of just 2.44 goals per game on an average of 30.9 shots on goal. Defensively, they’ve allowed an average of 3.11 goals per game on an average of 31.9 shots. Last year the Oilers won all three games between these teams with a 5-2 win, 3-2 overtime win and 4-0 shutout win. I like the Oilers to make it five wins in a row with a win tonight and will take them for half a unit.
Coyotes vs. Panthers (10:00)
The Yotes are one of the worst teams in the NHL at 2-5-1 on the season, opening their new embarrassment of an arena with 3-2 losses to the Rangers and the Jets (who both were on the second half of back to backs when they came to Arizona). Arizona’s generated the fewest high danger scoring chances in the league so far this season, averaging 2.88 goals per game on an average of just 22.5 shots per game. Defensively they’ve been atrocious, allowing an average of 4.38 goals per game on an average of 36.6 shots allowed. The Panthers are 5-3-1, coming off a 5-3 win against the Senators on Saturday to bounce back after losses in Philly and Chicago. Florida’s fifth in high danger chances and third in shots, averaging 39.2 shots per game which has translated to an average of 3.22 goals per game. Defensively they’ve had their flaws, allowing an average of 3.11 goals per game on an average of 28.3 shots allowed. The Panthers won both their games against the Coyotes pretty easily with 5-3 and 3-1 wins. This should be an easy win on the road for Florida. No way I’m laying -305 on the moneyline here but I’ll take the regulation line for a unit. I’ll also take the Panthers TT over 3.5 for half a unit.
Canucks vs. Devils (10:00)
The Devils have been one of the best statistical teams in the NHL to start this season and that’s translating to wins as they come into tonight’s game with a 6-3 record off three straight wins. They blew out the Blue Jackets 7-1 on Sunday afternoon after shutting out the cup champ Avs 1-0 on Friday night and crushing the Red Wings 6-2 on Tuesday. New Jersey has lead the NHL in high danger scoring chances, averaging 3.44 goals per game on an average of 39.3 shots per game. They’ve been very good defensively as well, limiting their opposition to an average of just 21.7 shots on goal and giving up an average of 2.56 goals per game (their goaltending is easily the weakest part of this team). This team’s very good and no one wants to play the Devils right now. After opening their year with seven straight losses and fans throwing jerseys on the ice, the Canucks have won their last two games back to back on Thursday and Friday, beating the Kraken 5-4 and the Penguins 5-1 in a game that was actually very close until the third period but that didn’t stop the Vancouver faithful from chanting “Bruce there he is” again. The Canucks haven’t been horrible offensively, averaging 3.11 goals per game on an average of 27.9 shots per game but they’ve struggled on the back end, allowing an average of 3.89 goals per game on an average of 32.6 shots on goal allowed. Last year these teams split their teams in high scoring blowouts with the Devils winning 7-3 and the Canucks winning 6-3. New Jersey is the way better team here and I think they get a win on the road tonight to end the Canucks’ win streak. I’ll take the Devils ML for a unit. I’d lean the over as well but not enough to bet on it.
Sharks vs. Ducks (10:30)
These two California teams have been terrible so far this season and two of the worst teams in the NHL with the Sharks at 3-8 and the Ducks at 2-6-1 on the year. The Sharks offense has been horrendous, scoring an average of only 2.18 goals per game on an average of 27.3 shots per game and they’ve allowed an average of 3.09 goals per game on an average of 29.7 shots allowed. Anaheim ended their seven game losing streak with a 4-3 overtime win on Sunday against the Leafs with Trevor Zegras scoring the game winner on a breakaway. They have been pretty much just as bad as SJ offensively, averaging just 2.22 goals per game on an average of 26.2 shots per game but they’ve been worse defensively, allowing an average of 4.22 goals per game on an average of 37.2 shots allowed. Anaheim won three of the four games between these teams last season. This is a terrible matchup that I have zero interest in watching. I’d slightly lean the under, not expecting either team to generate much scoring but there’s no way I’m betting (or watching) this game.
Game Bets
1u Golden Knights ML (-155)
.5u Wild/Canadiens over 6 (-137)
1u Flames in regulation (-139)
.5u Oilers ML (-162)
.5u Panthers TT over 3.5 (-165)
1u Panthers in regulation (-167)
1u Devils ML (-120)
Record: 67-63-2 (-12.95 units)
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