Lousy night on yesterday’s big NHL slate, going 4-6 to lose 2.9 units. Tonight we only have a four game slate before another big slate tomorrow. Let’s bounce back.
Panthers vs. Hurricanes (7:00)
The Florida Panthers return home after a California road trip, coming off a 5-3 win in Anaheim on Sunday. Last year’s President’s Trophy winners haven’t been nearly as good this season with a 7-5-1 record. Florida’s been fine offensively but struggling defensively, both scoring and allowing an average of 3.23 goals per game while outshooting their competition by an average of 40.4-29.9. The Hurricanes lost 3-1 at home to the Leafs on Sunday to end their four game win streak. The Canes are now 8-3-1 and have been a great team so far this season that could compete for the Cup out of the East. They’ve averaged 3.08 goals per game on an average of 37 shots per game and they’ve allowed an average of 2.83 goals per game on an average of just 25.7 shots allowed. Florida won all three games between these teams last season with a 5-2 and then two overtime wins by 4-3 and 3-2 scores. I like Carolina to win tonight at home and will take them for half a unit along with the over for half a unit.
Canadiens vs. Canucks (7:30)
Last night in Detroit, the Habs ended their three game losing streak with a 3-2 shootout win where they got outshot 43-33 by the Red Wings, stacked up 35 penalty minutes and still found a way to win. Montreal has improved from being the worst team in the NHL last season and they have a 6-6-1 record. The Habs have scored an average of 2.77 goals per game on 29.5 shots per game while allowing an average of 3.23 goals per game on an average of 34.2 shots allowed. Vancouver had a horrible start to their season and coming off a 6-4 win in Ottawa last night they’re now 4-6-3. Offensively the Canucks have been fine, scoring an average of 3.62 goals per game on an average of 30.3 shots per game but they’ve been horrible defensively, allowing an average of 4 goals per game on an average of 33.2 shots allowed. The Canucks won both teams they played against the Habs last season with a 2-1 and a 5-3 win. I’d give a slight edge to Montreal winning at home tonight but not nearly enough to bet it between these two lousy teams both on the second half of a back to back. I’ll take a small shot though on the over for half a unit, expecting both teams to give up goals.
Capitals vs. Penguins (7:30)
These are always great rivalry games in the Metropolitan Division when the Capitals and Penguins meet. On Monday night the severely depleted with injuries Capitals got off their four game losing streak, cashing in on the power play four times with a 5-4 win at home against the Edmonton Oilers to move to 6-6-2 on the season. Washington has scored an average of 2.86 goals per game on an average of 28.7 shots on goal. Defensively, they’ve allowed an average of 2.93 goals per game on an average of 31.4 shots allowed. The Penguins opened their season with a 4-0-1 start but since then they’ve been horrible, coming into tonight on a seven game losing streak after a 3-2 loss to the Kraken at home on Saturday. They’ve been fine offensively, scoring an average of 3.5 goals per game on an average of 35.9 shots on goal but they’ve struggled mightily on the back end, allowing an average of 3.67 goals per game on an average of 34.8 shots allowed. Tonight they have backup Casey DeSmith starting in goal, who is still looking for his first win of the season with an 0-3-1 record and has a 3.25 GAA and .904 save percentage this year. The Caps won three of their four games against Pittsburgh last year with all four games having at least six goals. I’d lean the Caps win here but not enough to bet on it. I love the over though which I will take for a unit.
Ducks vs. Wild (10:00)
The Ducks are one of the worst teams in the NHL this season. They’re 4-8-1 coming off a 5-3 loss to the Panthers at home on Sunday. Anaheim has struggled on both ends of the ice. They’re scoring an average of just 2.85 goals per game on an average of 29.2 shots per game. More telling though, they’re the worst defensive team in the NHL this season, allowing a league high average of 4.62 goals per game on an average of 40.5 shots on goal allowed, also the most in the league. Last night the Wild were in LA to face off against the Kings and got shut out in a 1-0 loss. They haven’t been great this season with a 5-6-1 record. They’ve averaged 2.83 goals per game on an average of 32.1 shots on goal. They struggled mightily on the back end to start the season and have allowed an average of 3.42 goals per game on an average of 30.9 shots allowed. Tonight they’re starting their backup Filip Gustavsson, who has an 0-3 record this year with a 3.93 GAA and .878 save percentage. Minnesota won both games between these games last season, winning 4-3 in overtime and in a 7-3 blowout. I like the Wild to bounce back here tonight and will take them for half a unit. I’d like the over as well which I’ll take for half a unit.
Game Bets
.5u Hurricanes ML (-120)
.5u Hurricanes/Panthers over 6.5 (-130)
.5u Canucks/Canadiens over 6.5 (-130)
1u Penguins/Capitals over 6 (-127)
.5u Wild ML (-160)
.5u Wild/Ducks over 6.5 (-110)
Record: 94-86-2 (-13.51 units)
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