Yesterday started lousy with a huge upset of Carolina losing to the Blue Jackets, a 5.6 unit loss but I came back on the late slate and finished the day 6-3 to lose just 0.66 units. Hell of a comeback. Today we have a pretty big eight-game NHL Sunday slate.
Jets vs. Canucks (3:00)
This is a fun game to start off the day. I broke it down in depth for my article on StatSalt. I like the Jets to win this one at home and will take them in regulation for a unit. I also like this one to stay under, which I’ll take for half a unit.
Stars vs. Panthers (3:30)
The Stars return home after back-to-back losses in LA and Anaheim on Tuesday and Wednesday last week. Dallas is having a great season at 23-11-6 and have played very well on both ends of the ice this year. The Panthers are coming off a 3-2 win in Detroit for their second win in a row. They’ve been good offensively but have struggled defensively this season quite a bit. The Stars won the first game between these teams in Florida 6-4 on November 17th and I’d expect they win again at home this after. I’ll take Dallas for a unit.
Capitals vs. Blue Jackets (5:00)
I got completely fucked by the Blue Jackets as they made some huge saves in the first period to keep their game tied at 0-0 and then ended up being the Hurricanes 4-3 in a shootout to lose my biggest bet of the year. Columbus blows this season with just a 12-24-2 record. They’ve struggled mightily on both ends of the ice this year. The Capitals are coming off a surprising 3-2 loss at home to the Predators on Friday but have played great lately to improve to 22-14-6 on the season. These teams just played in Columbus on Thursday night with the Caps winning a 6-2 blowout. I expect a similar bounce back game again in Washington today. The prices on this game are way too expensive but I’ll take the Caps team total over 4 for 1.5 units and the Caps -1.5 puck line for a unit.
Blackhawks vs. Flames (7:00)
I broke down this big mismatch for my article on StatSalt. I’m expecting an easy win for the Flames here and will take them in regulation for a unit.
Coyotes vs. Penguins (7:00)
Both of these teams are looking to end long losing streaks today. The Coyotes are one of the worst teams in the NHL at just 13-20-5 on the year. They’re coming off a 2-0 shutout loss in Chicago and are on a four game losing streak. Even though they haven’t been an easy win for good teams at times, they’re horrible on both ends of the ice. The Penguins, coming off a 5-2 loss in Vegas on Thursday are 19-13-6 and on a six game losing streak. They’ve been very good offensively all season but have struggled defensively. The first game between these teams this season was an easy 6-2 win for the Penguins to open the season on October 13th. I’ll take the Pens in regulation to finish their losing streak on the road at the Mullett.
Wild vs. Blues (7:00)
The Blues took a disappointing loss last night in Montreal, losing 5-4. St. Louis has been very inconsistent this season and come into tonight’s game with a 19-18-3 record. They’ve played decent offensively but have been pretty bad defensively, a sharp drop-off from last year. The Wild are coming off playing the most entertaining game of the year yesterday that saw everything in Buffalo, but losing 6-5 in overtime. What. A. Game. Minnesota’s been very good lately with a 22-13-3 record, playing well on both ends of the ice. In St. Louis on New Years Eve, the Wild got an easy 5-2 win in this Central Division game. I like them to win here again and will take Minny in regulation for a unit.
Flyers vs. Maple Leafs (7:00)
Somehow the Flyers have rattled off four straight wins, their best streak of the season to improve to 15-17-7 on the year, coming off a big 6-2 win against the Coyotes on Thursday. They’ve been one of the worst offensive teams in the league but have scored at least four goals in each of their last five games. They’ve been better on the back end, but they’re still a lousy team on both ends of the ice. The Leafs are a great team this season and last night got a 4-1 win at home against the Red Wings to bounce back from two losses in a row, improving to 24-9-7, comfortably in second place in the Atlantic. They’re one of the top defensively teams in the league and their offense hasn’t been too shabby either. Toronto won both previous games at home against the Flyers, 5-2 on November 2nd and 4-3 on December 22nd. I expect them to complete the sweep on the road here tonight. I’ll take the Leafs in regulation and the over in this game for half a unit each.
Ducks vs. Bruins (8:30)
This has to be the biggest cross-conference mismatch in the league, with the best team in the league in the Bruins going up against one of the worst teams in the league in Anaheim. The Bruins continue their California trip after last night’s 4-2 win in San Jose (big winner for me). The B’s are the best team in the NHL this season with a 31-4-4 record. They have the second highest scoring offense in the NHL, trailing just the Sabres, and the best defense in the league. The Ducks are coming off two straight wins, coming back to beat the Sharks 5-4 in overtime on Friday and shutting out the Stars 2-0 on Wednesday. They’re still horrible with a 12-24-4 record and playing as one of the worst teams in the league on both ends of the ice. Anaheim actually kept the first game between these teams this season close, with the B’s winning 2-1 in a shootout at home on October 20th. Even on the second half of a back to back on the road, this should be an even easier Bruins win. I’ll take Boston in regulation for 2 units.
Game Bets
1u Jets in regulation (-120)
.5u Jets/Canucks under 6.5 (-110)
1u Stars ML (-130)
1.5u Capitals TT over 4 (-121)
1u Capitals -1.5 (-137)
1u Flames in regulation (-190)
1u Penguins in regulation (-132)
1u Wild in regulation (-121)
.5u Maple Leafs in regulation (-127)
.5u Maple Leafs/Flyers over 6 (-110)
2u Bruins in regulation (-167)
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: 277-243-8 (-34.15 units)
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