I swept the board last night, going 3-0 to win 1.5 units for my fourth winning night in a row on the NHL! Tonight we have a seven game slate, let’s keep stacking up the wins!
Red Wings vs. Lightning (7:00)
The Red Wings are in a big slump right now. After their overtime loss in Washington on Monday where they blew a 2-0 lead and went on to lose 4-3 to the Caps, they’re on a six game losing streak to drop to 13-11-7 on the season. Much improved from last year but they’re still not great and they’re playing lousy hockey right now. On the season they’ve been okay offensively but have struggled defensively. The Lightning have been very hot lately but are on the second half of a back to back, after a 4-1 loss in Toronto last night. That loss ended their five game win streak but with just four losses in their last 17 games, they’re a very good 20-10-1 on the season. Their offense has been just as deadly as it’s been in the last several season as the Bolts won their three straight Eastern Conference Championships. Defensively they’ve improved quite a bit lately. On December 6th, the Red Wings pulled off a 4-2 win in Tampa for the first game this season between these teams. Even with the Lightning on the second half of their back to back on the road and even with Elliott projected in goal, I like them to bounce back here with a win. I’ll take the Bolts for half a unit at a price that I think has good value at -155. I’d lean the over but not enough to bet it.
Panthers vs. Devils (7:00)
The Devils started their season phenomenally but they’ve been in a slump. After last night’s 4-1 loss in Carolina, they’re on a six game losing streak to drop to 21-9-2 on the season. That loss last night drops them to second place in the Metro Division with the Canes taking a two point lead on the division. Despite this slump, the Devils have been very good on both ends of the ice this season. The Panthers are coming off a 7-3 blowout loss in Boston on Tuesday. They started the game down 4-0 early in the second, partially came back to make it 4-3 but that wasn’t enough and even though they outplayed the Bruins, got outscored 7-3 (cashing my Bruins bet). Florida’s 15-14-4 on the season and haven’t been all that great. They’ve been pretty good offensively this season but have struggled defensively. In the first game between these teams just a few days ago on December 17th in Jersey, the Panthers won 4-2. I’d lean the Panthers win again at home tonight with the slump that the Devils are in and with the Devils on the second half of a back to back. I don’t think this game’s worth betting on though in what likely ends up being a close matchup. I’d slightly lean the over but not enough to bet it. I’ll stay off this game completely.
Avalanche vs. Canadiens (8:00)
Despite having to deal with a bunch of injuries lately, the Avalanche have played well, picking up four wins in their last five games to improve to 17-11-2 on the season. They’re coming off a 1-0 win in a shootout at home against the Islanders in a competitive double shutout game. The Avs have been quite good on both ends of the ice this season, just not as up to the level they were last year when they won the Cup. The Habs ended their three game losing streak with a 3-2 overtime win in Arizona on Monday night. Montreal’s improved a ton from last place last year, coming into tonight with a 15-15-2 record but they’re not a great team. They’ve struggled a bit on both ends of the ice this year. I’d expect Colorado to get another win at home tonight but the moneyline at -275 is too expensive for me. I’ll take a shot on the Avs in regulation for half a unit. I’d lean the under here but not enough to bet on it.
Blackhawks vs. Predators (8:30)
The Blackhawks are the worst team in the NHL, playing horrible hockey. After a 7-1 blowout loss to the Rangers on Sunday night (easiest win ever for me), they’re on a seven game losing streak. With only one win in their last 16 games they’ve tanked down to 7-19-4 on the season and they’re only going to get worse with Kane and Toews likely leaving before the trade deadline. Chicago’s been horrendous on both ends of the ice this season, especially offensively where they’re dead last in scoring in the NHL. The Predators haven’t been all that great either this season. They’re 13-13-4 and ended their six game losing streak with a 4-3 overtime win at home against the Oilers on Monday night. Nashville’s offense has been abysmal as well but their defense and Juuse Saros’ goaltending has been decent enough. I’d expect a Predators win tonight on the road. I don’t think the Preds are worth betting at -195 for the moneyline but I’ll take them in regulation for half a unit.
Stars vs. Oilers (9:30)
The Dallas Stars have been great this season, leading the Central Division with a 19-8-6 record. They’re coming off a grind of a game in Columbus, winning 2-1 (I split that game) and they’ve picked up at least a point in six of their last seven games. Dallas has been great on both ends of the ice this season, exceeding my expectations for them quite a bit. The Oilers are 17-14-2 on the season, coming off a 4-3 overtime loss in Nashville on Monday night, their third straight loss. Edmonton has relied heavily on McDavid and Draisaitl, who have propelled them to having a great offense but there isn’t a whole lot of offensive depth behind those two world class forwards. The Oilers defense and goaltending has sucked, so it pretty much takes McDavid and Draisaitl having to outscore bad D for them to win. The first game between these teams saw a 6-2 win for the Stars in Edmonton on November 5th, capped off with a Jamie Benn hat trick. Dallas is the much more balanced team here and I’ll take the Stars at home for half a unit. I’d lean the over but not enough to bet on it.
Ducks vs. Wild (10:00)
Anaheim’s one of the worst teams in the NHL this season but they have picked up two wins in their last three games. Coming off a 4-1 loss in LA last night, they’re 9-21-3 on the season. The Ducks have been horrible this year on both ends of the ice. They’ve allowed the most goals in the NHL and have scored just the second fewest (behind the Blackhawks). This team sucks. The Wild are playing great hockey right now. Coming off a 4-2 win against Sens on Sunday afternoon, they’re on a five game win streak with nine wins in their last eleven games to improve to 18-11-2 on the season. They’ve played well offensively all season and their defense and goaltending continues to improve, allowing two or less goals in each of their last five games. Minnesota already has two wins against the Ducks this season, beating them 4-1 in Anaheim on November 9th and 5-4 in a shootout at home on December 3rd. Especially with the Ducks on the second half of a back to back, I really like the Wild to sweep Anaheim this season. I’ll take the Wild in regulation for a unit.
Golden Knights vs. Coyotes (10:00)
The Golden Knights continue to lead the Western Conference with a 22-11-1 record on the season. They are coming off two losses in a row after their 3-2 loss to the Sabres on Monday night at home, where they outshot Buffalo 43-18. Vegas has been good this season on both ends of the ice. The Coyotes, despite likely being a lottery team at the end of the season, haven’t been any easy out for teams. They’ve played pretty competitive hockey, staying in games with a lot of one goal losses. The Yotes come into tonight’s game with a 10-15-5 record, coming off a 3-2 overtime loss to the Habs on Monday night. They’ve played pretty lousy hockey on both ends of the ice. Vegas got an easy 4-1 win at home against Arizona on November 17th in the first meeting between these teams this season. I’ll take the Golden Knights in regulation for half a unit, looking to bounce back from that loss to the Sabres in a good spot against the Yotes.
Game Bets
.5u Lightning ML (-155)
.5u Avalanche in regulation (-162)
.5u Predators in regulation (-118)
.5u Stars ML (-150)
1u Wild in regulation (-182)
.5u Golden Knights in regulation (-177)
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: 210-192-5 (-33.28 units)
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A Town's Zone 