Last night I lost 1.56 units going 4-5 on the pretty big NHL slate. Today we have a smaller slate for a Saturday. Let’s bounce back.
Predators vs. Senators (1:30)
After a really slow start to their season, the Predators have been rolling lately. They’re coming off a 5-2 loss in Tampa on Thursday but they have a 7-2-1 record in their last ten games to improve to 12-10-2 on the season. They’ve still struggled offensively but they’ve improved a good amount on the back end. The Sens are 10-14-2 on the season, coming off a 4-3 overtime loss in Dallas on Thursday. They haven’t had a great season but have improved a bit lately with a 4-2-1 record in their last seven games. Ottawa’s offense has been pretty decent all season but they’ve struggled on the back end. I like the Preds to win this matinee at home in Smashville and I’ll take them for half a unit.
Stars vs. Red Wings (2:00)
The Stars, coming off a 4-3 overtime win at home Thursday against the Senators (loss for me since they needed OT) have had a really good season so far with a 15-7-5 record. They’ve played very well, far exceeding my expectations for them on both ends of the ice. The Red Wings aren’t a great team, they’re coming off a 5-1 loss in Florida on Thursday night (a goal short of hitting my over) but they’re much improved from last season with a 13-8-5 record. They’ve been good offensively this year but haven’t been great defensively. I like the Stars to get a win here at home and will take them in regulation for half a unit. I’d lean the over but not enough to bet it.
Lightning vs. Panthers (4:30)
This afternoon we got the Battle of Florida for the second time this season. Both of these teams have played well lately. The Lightning are coming off a 5-2 win against the Preds on Thursday and with nine wins in their last twelve games, the three time Eastern Conference champions could contend for another run at it again this year as they’ve improved to 16-9-1 on the season. Their offense has been just as deadly as its been the last few years but they’ve struggled a bit more defensively than they had the last three years. The Panthers took a step back from last season, coming into tonight with a 13-10-4 record off a 5-1 win against Detroit on Thursday. They’ve won three of their last four games. Florida’s offense is very good but they’ve struggled on the back end as well. In a close game on October 21st in Florida, the Lightning got a 3-2 road win in overtime. I’d lean the Lightning get another win here at home and would slightly lean the over but not enough to bet on either in this game. I’ll just lay off it completely. I will probably watch at least some of this game, sure to be a fun one.
Penguins vs. Sabres (7:00)
Last night these teams battled in Buffalo and tonight they head to Pittsburgh for the second half of this home and home. That was a great game but with the Sabres taking a five minute major late in regulation to give the Pens a power play for pretty much all of overtime, the Penguins won 4-3, answering back from the 6-3 win the Sabres got the first time these teams played this season back on November 2nd in Buffalo. The Penguins have played fantastic hockey as of late. They are on a four game win streak right now with a 9-1-1 record in their last eleven games to improve to 15-8-4 on the season. Their offense has been fantastic all season but they haven’t been as great defensively. The Sabres have been decent this year. We’re 12-13-2 and have been competitive. We lead the NHL in scoring, which is so impressive to see in December but we’ve sucked defensively. I’d lean the Penguins win at home tonight but not enough to bet it, especially at the -200 price on this game. I’d actually see some value to the Sabres +1.5 at -150 but not enough to bet that either. I’ll go back to my same bet as yesterday on this game with a unit on the over 6.5.
Canadiens vs. Kings (7:00)
This isn’t a great matchup but could end up being a fun game. The Habs have improved a ton from last season, coming into tonight’s game with a 13-11-2 record after a 4-2 win in Seattle on Tuesday but they’re not world beaters by any means. They’ve been okay offensively but have struggled defensively. The Kings are similar. They’re coming off a 5-0 shutout loss in Toronto on Thursday and come into today with a 14-11-4 record. Their offense is pretty good this year but they’ve tanked defensively from how good they were on the back end last season. I’d lean the Kings win on the road here and would also lean the over but not enough to bet on either. I’ll lay off this game.
Maple Leafs vs. Flames (7:00)
The Leafs have been fantastic. They’re coming into tonight’s game off two shutout wins in a row, beating LA 5-0 on Thursday and blanking Dallas 4-0 on the road on Tuesday. Toronto’s 17-5-6 on the season and haven’t lost in regulation in a month. They’re 13-1-4 in their last 18 games. Quite impressive. They’ve been fine offensively and shockingly have been one of the best defensive teams in the NHL this year. The Flames are coming off a pathetic 3-1 loss in Columbus last night after going on a three game win streak. Calgary’s improved a good amount lately with four wins in their last six games. For a team I picked to win the cup this year, they haven’t been all that great on either end of the ice. I think Toronto’s the better team here, especially at home with Calgary on the second half of a back to back and I’ll take the Leafs to keep rolling here for a unit.
Islanders vs. Hurricanes (7:30)
The Canes are coming off a shocking 4-3 overtime loss in Anaheim on Tuesday that ended their four game win streak. Carolina’s 14-6-6 on the season. They’ve played fantastic defensively and could still be a cup contender out of the East but they’ve struggled a bit offensively. The Isles have had a good season so far too. They’re 17-11 after a huge 6-4 win in New Jersey last night (loss for me). They have been quite good on both ends of the ice this year. The first game between these Metro Division teams this season was a 6-2 blowout win for the Islanders on October 28th in Carolina. I’d lean the Hurricanes answer back with a win on Long Island tonight to get back at the Isles for that loss with the Islanders on the second half of a back to back and would lean the under as well in this game but not enough to bet on either. I’ll just lay off this matchup.
Canucks vs. Wild (10:00)
Last night the Wild took their second loss in a row in Alberta, losing 5-2 in Edmonton in a game where they outshot the Oilers 44-38 after they lost 5-3 in Calgary on Wednesday which ended their four game win streak. Minnesota’s been pretty good offensively but they’ve struggled on the back end all season. The Canucks are on a three game win streak, winning each of their last three games all in overtime to improve to 12-12-3 on the season. They haven’t been all that great this season. Vancouver’s offense has been very good this year but they’re one of the worst defensive teams in the NHL this season. In the first game this season between these teams on October 20th, the Wild won 4-3 in overtime, outshooting the Canucks 37-26. Even on the second half of a back to back, I like the Wild to win on the road here and I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d lean the over but not enough to bet on it.
Game Bets
.5u Predators ML (-135)
.5u Stars in regulation (-112)
1u Sabres/Penguins over 6.5 (-125)
1u Maple Leafs ML (-170)
.5u Wild ML (-110)
Futures
1u Boston Bruins – Stanley Cup Champions (+1000)
1.5u Boston Bruins – Stanley Cup Champions (+1100)
2u Vegas Golden Knights – Stanley Cup Champions (+1200)
1.5u Carolina Hurricanes – Stanley Cup Champions (+1300)
1u New Jersey Devils – Stanley Cup Champions (+1600)
Record: 187-172-2 (-28.1 units)
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