I was due for a losing night and got reverse swept on the NHL last night, going 0-7 to lose a disasterous 7.18 units. We have an eight-game slate tonight to bounce back. Let’s go!
Islanders vs. Red Wings (7:00)
Both of these teams haven’t been all that great this season. I broke this game down in depth with my article on StatSalt. As I said in that article, I’d lean the Isles get off their losing streak at home with the Red Wings on the second half of a back to back. I do like the under though and will take the alternate under 6 here for half a unit.
Rangers vs. Golden Knights (7:00)
I broke this game down as well on StatSalt with an in depth article previewing a great cross conference matchup. I’d lean the Rangers win at home but not nearly enough to bet it. I do really like the under though and will take the alternate under 6.5 here for a unit.
Hurricanes vs. Sharks (7:00)
Huge mismatch for this cross conference matchup in Carolina tonight. The Hurricanes, coming off a 3-2 overtime win in Dallas on Wednesday night lead the Metro Division with a 30-9-8 record. They’re on a three game win streak, going 5-0-1 in their last six games. The offense hasn’t been spectacular but they’re capable enough to keep churning out wins and they have an elite defense. The Sharks have been horrible this year with a 14-25-10 record. After a 3-2 overtime loss in Detroit on Tuesday, they’ve only won one of their last seven games. They’ve been horrible on both ends of the ice. The Canes grinded out a 2-1 win in San Jose to open the season on October 14th. I’d expect an easier win for them tonight at home. The -305 moneyline is too expensive but I’ll take Carolina in regulation for 1.5 units. I’d slightly lean the under but not enough to bet it.
Panthers vs. Kings (7:00)
This should be a really fun game. The Panthers are struggling a bit this season with a 23-21-6 record after winning the Presidents Trophy last year. Coming off a 7-6 overtime loss in Pittsburgh on Tuesday night in one of the most entertaining games of the season, Florida’s actually played pretty well recently with a 7-3-2 record in their last twelve games. Their offense has been good but their defense and goaltending has sucked. The Kings are in third place at the top of a very tight Pacific Division with a 27-17-6 record, coming off two wins in a row after beating the Flyers 4-3 in overtime on Tuesday. Similar to Florida, they’ve been good offensively but have had their issues defensively. In the first game between these teams on November 5th, the Kings won 5-4 at home. I’d slightly lean the Panthers win at home here but not enough to bet it. I do really like the over in this game though which I will take for 1.5 units.
Maple Leafs vs. Senators (7:00)
Tonight we have the second battle of Ontario of the season in what’s a pretty big mismatch on paper. The first game was close, with the Leafs winning 3-2 at home on October 15th. Toronto’s comfortably in second place in the Atlantic with a 30-11-8 record, pretty much all but locked in to face the Lightning again in the first round of the playoffs. They’ve played well lately. Coming off a dazzling game winner from Mitch Marner, they beat the Rangers 3-2 in overtime at home on Wednesday night and have gone 4-0-1 in their last five games. They’ve played really well on both ends of the ice this season, especially defensively. The Leafs will be without one of their best players, last year’s MVP Auston Matthews for at least three weeks, who’s out with a knee sprain. The Sens, coming off a 2-1 win at home against the Isles on Wednesday are 21-23-3. They haven’t been all that great on either end of the ice. I like the Leafs to get a win here at home even without Matthews and will take them in regulation for half a unit in this divisional matchup.
Stars vs. Devils (8:30)
This is such a fantastic matchup between two really good teams. I broke this one down in depth on StatSalt. I’d lean the Stars and the under but not enough to bet this game, which is easily the best on tonight’s slate.
Kraken vs. Flames (10:00)
These teams split their first two games this season, each determined by a goal and won by the road team. The Kraken won 5-4 on November 1st and the Flames won 3-2 on December 28th. That sets up for what should be a pretty fun game. Seattle leads the Pacific with a 28-14-5 record this season, tied in points with Vegas. They’ve been very good offensively but have struggled on the back end. The Flames were my preseason pick to win the Cup but that’s not happening this year as they’ve underachieved with a 23-17-9 record, coming off a surprising 5-1 loss at home to the Blackhawks last night. They’ve struggled on both ends of the ice this season, especially offensively. I’d lean the Kraken win at home tonight and the over but not enough to bet either. I’ll lay off this game entirely.
Canucks vs. Blue Jackets (10:00)
This is a pretty lousy game tonight between two struggling teams. The Canucks are 19-26-3 and after their 5-2 win against the Blackhawks at home in new head coach Rick Tocchet’s debut on Tuesday, they followed it up with a 6-1 blowout loss to the Kraken on Wednesday. This team’s only won three of their last 14 games. They’ve been decent offensively but horrendous defensively. The Blue Jackets have been awful as well, with just a 15-30-3 record and a 4-15-2 record on the road. They’re coming off a shocking 3-2 overtime win against McDavid and the Oilers on Wednesday (double loser for me to prevent me sweeping the board) and have picked up at least a point in each of their last three games. Columbus fucking blows on both ends of the ice. They did pick up a win though against Vancouver earlier this season though, winning 4-3 in overtime on October 18th at home. I’d expect the Canucks win this game but no shot am I laying the juice on them at -180. I love the over though and will take the alternate over 6.5 here for 2 units.
Game Bets
.5u Isles/Red Wings under 6 (-125)
1u Vegas/Rangers under 6.5 (-134)
1.5u Hurricanes in regulation (-182)
1.5u Panthers/Kings over 6.5 (-110)
.5u Maple Leafs in regulation (-132)
2u Canucks/Blue Jackets over 6.5 (-139)
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: 365-311-10 (-29.56 units)
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