Last night I went 5-4 making a small profit of 0.16 units. I’ll take it. Between a huge 13 game slate last night and a gigantic 14 game slate tomorrow, we just have two games today, a day game between the Avs and Jackets in Finland and my Sabres taking on the Canes tonight. Great job scheduling, NHL.
Avalanche vs. Blue Jackets (2:00)
We have a nice Friday afternoon matinee matchup today in Tampere, Finland for the NHL Global Series between the defending Cup champion Avalanche and the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Avs still have quite a bit of a Stanley Cup hangover, coming into today’s game with a 4-4-1 record off back to back losses to the Isles on Saturday and Devils on Friday. They haven’t been all that impressive on either end of the ice. Colorado has scored an average of 3.11 goals per game on an average of 3.11 goals per game on an average of 31.2 shots per game. They’ve allowed an average of 3 goals per game on an average of 33 shots given up. The Blue Jackets are 3-7 on the season and they’ve been horrible on both ends of the ice. They’re only scoring an average of 2.6 goals per game, third fewest in the NHL on an average of 29.7 shots per game. They have been even worse on the back end, giving up second most goals in the NHL, an average of 4.4 goals per game on an average of 34.5 shots per game. Elvis Merzlikins, confirmed in goal today has been bad this season with a terrible 4.75 GAA and .864 save percentage. Last year the Blue Jackets actually beat Colorado in both games they played, beating them 5-4 and 4-2. I can’t see that happening this season, Columbus is bad. I think the moneyline at -265 is too expensive but I’ll take the Avs in regulation for a unit. I’d lean the over but not enough to bet on it.
Hurricanes vs. Sabres (7:00)
This should be a real fun marquee game tonight. My Sabres are playing awesome hockey to start the season. We’re 7-3 to start the season. After a phenomenal five goal third period against the Penguins on Wednesday where they came back to win 6-3, Buffalo’s on a three game win streak. Our offense, lead by Tage Thompson’s 14 points (7 goals, 7 assists), the Sabres are second in scoring in the NHL, averaging 4.3 goals per game on an average of 33.1 shots per game. Defensively they haven’t been bad either, allowing an average of 2.8 goals per game on an average of 31.7 shots allowed. Carolina is one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference and come into tonight’s game with a 6-2-1 record. They’re coming off three wins that needed overtime. On the second half of a back to back tonight, coming off a 4-3 shootout win in Tampa last night after beating the Caps 3-2 in a shootout on Monday and a 4-3 overtime win in Philly on Saturday. Carolina’s have been good on both ends of the ice. The Canes are third in the NHL in expected goals and have been able to score an average of 3.11 goals per game on an average of 36.2 shots per game. They’ve been good defensively, allowing an average of 2.8 goals per game on an average of just 26.2 shots allowed per game. The Hurricanes won two of the three games they played against the Sabres last season, with all three games being high scoring. Although I don’t quite expect a win here since the Canes are a good team, I think the Sabres keep it close. Carolina should be favored in this game, especially at home but -200 is too expensive of a price considering they’re on the second half of a back to back. I will take Buffalo +1.5 at the pretty good -145 price for half a unit. I like the over as well, with both teams trending that way and will take the over for half a unit.
Game Bets
1u Avalanche in regulation (-157)
.5u Sabres +1.5 (-145)
.5u Hurricanes/Sabres over 6.5 (-110)
Record: 77-71-2 (-13.83 units)
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