Pretty trash day for me yesterday on the NHL, going 4-6 to lose 3.61 units. Two lousy days in a row. Let’s bounce back on this eight game slate tonight.
Canadiens vs. Jets (7:00)
The Jets have played incredible hockey this season and moved into the top seed in the Western Conference after their 2-1 win against Arizona on Sunday night. They are on a three game win streak with just one loss in their last nine games. Winnipeg’s been great on both ends of the ice this season. The Habs improved a lot from last season but still have been pretty lousy this season, coming into tonight’s game with an 18-23-9 record. They’re coming off a 2-1 win in MSG, upsetting the Rangers on Sunday (double loser for me). Montreal has played a bit better lately with three wins in their last five games after going on a seven game losing streak. The Canadiens have been horrible on both ends of the ice this season. In the first game this season between these cross-conference teams on November 3rd in Winnipeg, the Jets needed overtime to get a 3-2 win but outshot the Habs 36-22. I like the Jets to win even easier tonight. The moneyline is a little expensive but I’ll take them in regulation for a unit.
Flyers vs. Ducks (7:00)
Despite the Flyers getting blown out and shut out in Boston yesterday afternoon, getting shut out 6-0, Torts has his team playing their best hockey of the season right now. They’ve won seven of their last nine games to improve to 18-19-7 on the season. Philly has been bad on both ends of the ice this season but they’ve improved a ton offensively and have been clicking lately, which was their biggest problem earlier this year. The Ducks are one of the worst teams in the NHL this season with a 12-27-5 record, coming into tonight’s game on a four game losing streak after a 4-3 overtime loss in Pittsburgh yesterday (I got too cute on that game). They’ve been one of the worst teams in the league on both ends of the ice. In the first game between these cross conference teams earlier this month on January 2nd, the Flyers won 4-1 in Anaheim. I’d expect they win in a similar game at home tonight. This isn’t a team I typically bet but I’ll take the Flyers in regulation and the Flyers team total over 3.5 in this game for half a unit each, looking to bounce back from yesterday’s loss.
Maple Leafs vs. Panthers (7:00)
The Leafs played in a hell of a game in Boston on Saturday night that could be a preview of a second round playoff matchup in the Atlantic, ultimately losing 4-3 in such a close game with the Bruins scoring the game winner with just 1:16 left in regulation. That was Toronto’s second loss in a row but they’re having a great season with a 26-11-7 record on the year. They’ve played great on both ends of the ice. The Panthers have been playing better lately and after yesterday afternoon’s 4-1 win in Buffalo, they’ve won five of their last seven games. Florida’s still dropped drastically from winning the President’s Trophy last year with just a 21-20-4 record this season. They’ve been decent offensively but have struggled defensively. I like the Leafs to win this Atlantic Division matchup and will take them for half a unit.
Capitals vs. Wild (7:00)
This is a great cross conference matchup that could be a ton of fun to watch. The Caps are coming off a 4-3 comeback win in overtime yesterday on Long Island. Washington’s been good this season with a 23-16-6 record, playing solid hockey on both ends of the ice. The Wild are playing well this season too, with a 24-14-4 record, coming off two wins in a row, most recently grinding out a 2-1 win against the Coyotes on Saturday. Minnesota’s been good on both ends of the ice. I’d lean the Wild get a win here on the road and would lean the under as well, but neither enough to bet on. These teams match up statistically so closely that this is essentially a coin flip game to me with no value to actually bet either side. Just sit back and enjoy.
Predators vs. Blue Jackets (8:00)
I broke down this game in depth for my article on StatSalt. I like the Preds to get a win at home with both of these teams on the second half of a back to back. The moneyline is too expensive at -220, but I’ll take them to win in regulation for half a unit.
Blackhawks vs. Sabres (8:30)
I went in depth breaking down this game with an article on StatSalt as well. I like my Sabres to bounce back from yesterday afternoon’s loss and will take the Sabres ML and the Sabres team total over 3.5 for half a unit each. I’d lean the over on the game but not enough to bet it.
Coyotes vs. Red Wings (9:00)
Both of these teams are struggling. The Coyotes are deep in the Bedard sweepstakes with a 13-25-5 record, coming into tonight’s game on a nine game losing streak. They’ve been one of the worst teams in the NHL on both ends of the ice this season. The Red Wings are coming off two losses in a row after last night’s 6-3 loss in Colorado. They’re 18-17-7 on the year and haven’t played great either with just five wins in their last 17 games. Detroit’s definetely been better than Arizona offensively but they’ve been terrible defensively, even with a solid goalie in Ville Husso. Detroit needed a shootout to be the Yotes at home on November 25th, winning 4-3. I’d lean the Red Wings get another win on the road here but not enough to bet on it. I’d lean the over as well, but not enough to bet it. I’ll stay off this game entirely.
Oilers vs. Kraken (9:00)
This game should be incredible to close out the night in the Pacific Division. The Oilers are on a three game winning streak to improve to 24-18-3 on the season, coming off a big 4-3 win in Vegas on Saturday. With McDavid and Draisaitl leading the way, despite not having much depth behind them, the Oilers offense has been incredible with two of the best players in the world scoring at such an insane rate. Evander Kane will be making his return from injury tonight to bolster that scoring ability even higher. The Oilers defense and goaltending has sucked though. The Kraken have played awesome lately too. Their eight game winning streak came to an end with a 4-1 loss to the Lightning at home last night. Seattle’s in second place in the Pacific with a 26-13-4 record, a huge upgrade from their inaugural season last year. Their offense has been great this season but similar to Edmonton, their defense and goaltending has struggled. These teams split their two previous games this season with the road team winning both of those high scoring games, an Oilers 7-2 win on December 30th and a 5-2 Kraken win on January 3rd. I’d slightly lean the Oilers win tonight on home ice, especially with the addition of Kane back into the lineup, but not enough to lay the -190. I’ll load up on the over though in this game for 2 units, expecting a ton of scoring on both ends of the ice.
Game Bets
1u Jets in regulation (-141)
.5u Flyers in regulation (-127)
.5u Flyers TT over 3.5 (-118)
.5u Maple Leafs ML (-175)
.5u Predators in regulation (-136)
.5u Sabres ML (-190)
.5u Sabres TT over 3.5 (-121)
2u Oilers/Kraken over 6.5 (-130)
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: 315-279-8 (-41.19 units)
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