Good bounce back night for me on the NHL yesterday, going 4-2 to win 1.6 units. Today we have the last huge slate before the all star break with eleven games! Let’s win again!
Avalanche vs. Blues (3:00)
Last season this matchup was the best series of the playoffs as the Blues went six games in the second round with the Cup champs. This will be the third game of the season between these Central Division teams after they split the first two, with the road team winning 3-2 in each one and the Avs needing overtime for the last game in St. Louis on December 11th. Colorado’s 26-18-3 on the season and they’re playing great hockey right now but had their six game win streak come to an end with a shocking 5-3 loss at home to the Ducks. The Avalanche have struggled a bit to score but have been fantastic defensively. The Blues have been terrible this season. They have a 23-23-3 record on the year and come into today’s game on a three game losing streak after a 5-0 shutout loss in Arizona on Thursday night. St. Louis has struggled big time on both ends of the ice this season, especially defensively. I expect the Avs to win here at home. The -235 moneyline is a bit too expensive for me but I will take the Avalanche in regulation for a unit.
Panthers vs. Bruins (6:00)
This should be a fun matchup. The Bruins are easily the best team in the NHL this season and on a historic pace with a 38-6-4 record. On Thursday night they had their six game win streak come to an end in Tampa, losing 3-2 to the Lightning. The B’s have been the best team in the league on both ends of the ice. The Panthers have struggled this season after winning the Presidents Trophy last year. After a 4-3 loss to the Kings (winner on the over) last night, they’re on a three game lsoing streak to drop to 23-22-6 on the year. Florida’s been pretty good offensively but terrible defensively. The Bruins won two of the first three games this season against the Panthers, all in high scoring games. The Bruins won 5-3 at home on October 17th, then lost 5-2 in Florida on November 23rd and then blew the Panthers out 7-3 at home on December 19th. Especially with Florida on the second half of a back to back, I expect the B’s to get a win in Florida tonight. I’ll load up on this game and take the Bruins ML, Bruins team total over 3.5 and the over in this game for a unit each. I’ll also go with the puck line for half a unit.
Senators vs. Canadiens (7:00)
This isn’t a great game between these two last place teams in the Atlantic Division. The Senators are on a two game win streak coming off a huge 6-2 win in Toronto last night to improve to a still lousy 22-23-3 record on the season. The Habs have improved from last year but are still just 20-25-4 on the season. On Thursday night they lost 4-3 in overtime against the Red Wings for their second loss in a row. Both of these teams have struggled on both ends of the ice. The Sens won the first game between these teams 3-2 at home on December 14th. I’d lean they win again here but I’m not betting this shitty matchup, especially with Ottawa as a -225 favorite on the second half of a back to back.
Penguins vs. Sharks (7:00)
Last night the Sharks lost 5-4 in Carolina for their fourth loss in a row in disasterous fashion. After scoring on the empty net they were up 4-2 with 1:52 left in regulation but gave up two goals in a row including the tying goal with just 12 seconds left and then lost 5-4 just 55 seconds into overtime. San Jose blows this season with a 14-25-11 record on the year and they’ve been terrible on both ends of the ice, especially defensively. The Penguins have picked up at least a point in each of their last six games, but only winning three of those. They’re 25-15-9 on the season, coming off a 3-2 shootout loss on Thursday. They’ve played pretty well on both ends of the ice. I like the Penguins to win here but the -250 moneyline is just too expensive (would love it as a parlay piece) so even though I don’t love it as much, I’ll go with half a unit each on the Penguins in regulation and Penguins team total over 3.5.
Lightning vs. Kings (7:00)
I’d expect this to be a pretty fun matchup in Tampa tonight. The Lightning are pretty much locked in to play the Leafs again in the first round of the playoffs, coming into tonight’s game with 31-15-1 record and a 19-4-1 record at home. On Thursday night they got their second win in a row, upsetting the Bruins 3-2 at home. The Bolts have been fantastic offensively this year and although not quite up to par with the defensive level they played the last several years, have still been good on the back end. The Kings lead the Pacific Division with a 28-17-6 record and are on a three game win streak. They’re on the second half of a back to back after beating the Panthers 4-3 last night. LA’s been good offensively but have struggled defensively at times this season. The Kings won their first game against Tampa 4-2 at home on October 25th. Especially with LA on the second half of a back to back, I expect the Bolts to get a win at home tonight. I’ll go with half a unit on the Lightning in regulation along with half a unit on the over 6 in this game.
Jets vs. Flyers (7:00)
This is a huge mismatch to me. The Jets have been having a fantastic season, coming into tonight’s game in second place in the Central with a 31-18-1 record and a 17-7 record at home. They’re coming off a surprising 3-2 loss at home to my Sabres on Thursday and have lost two games in a row after a 2-1 loss in Nashville on Tuesday. Winnipeg’s played well on both ends of the ice this season, especially defensively with one of the best goalies in the NHL in Connor Hellebuyck between the pipes. The Flyers are 20-21-9 on the season and on a three game losing streak after overtime losses to the Wild on Thursday and Kings on Tuesday. They’ve struggled on both ends of the ice, especailly offensively. The Jets won the first game these cross conference teams played just six days ago in Philly, 5-3. I’d expect another easy win for them at home tonight to bounce back from their back to back losses. I’ll go with the Jets in regulation for a unit along with half a unit on the Flyers team total under 2.5 in regulation.
Islanders vs. Golden Knights (7:30)
Both of these teams are in pretty big slumps right now and on the second half of a back to back. Last night the Islanders ended their six game losing streak with a 2-0 shutout win at home against the Red Wings, just their second win in their last twelve games. They’re now 24-22-5 on the season. The Isles offense has really struggled this season but they’ve been good defensively. Last night the Golden Knights took their third straight loss, falling 4-1 at MSG to the Rangers to fall to 29-18-3 and dropping to third place in a very tight top of the Pacific Division. Vegas has been fine on both ends of the ice but haven’t done anything spectacular on either end. The Isles won the first game against the Knights 5-2 in Vegas on December 17th. I’d lean the Golden Knights answer back with a win here on the road and would lean the under but not enough to bet on either. I’ll lay off this game completely.
Wild vs. Sabres (9:00)
The first game between these teams this season in Buffalo on January 7th was one of the most entertaining games of the year, with the Sabres winning 6-5 in overtime. Such an amazing fun game. I expect another fun one here tonight. Buffalo’s on a five game win streak, coming off a suprisingly great defensive effort in Winnipeg on Thursday night to beat the Jets 3-2 to improve us to 26-19-3 on the season. We’ve been elite offensively this year but have struggled plenty on the back end. The Wild are pretty good this season with a 26-17-4 record. They ended a three game losing streak on Thursday with a 3-2 overtime win over the Flyers. Minnesota’s been good on both ends of the ice this year. I’d lean the Wild win a close game here but could definetely see the Sabres extending the win streak on the road and at least keeping it within a goal. I’ll go with half a unit on the Sabres +1.5 puck line. I also like the over here which I’ll take for a unit.
Oilers vs. Blackhawks (10:00)
I broke this game down in depth with my article on StatSalt. I love the Oilers to get a win here but the prices on the moneyline at -420 and the regulation line at -245 are way too expensive. I’ll go with a unit each on the Oilers team total over 4 and the over on the game.
Kraken vs. Blue Jackets (10:00)
I wrote an article breaking this game down in depth on StatSalt. As I said in my article, I really like the Kraken to get a high scoring win in this game and I’m loading up on it with a unit each on the Kraken in regulation and Kraken team total over 3.5. Additionally I’ll take the alternate over 6 in this game for half a unit.
Ducks vs. Coyotes (10:30)
This is the second matchup in the last four days between the two worst teams in the NHL. I broke it down in depth with an article on StatSalt. Like I said in the article, I’d lean the Coyotes and the under, but no way I’m betting this dogshit game.
Game Bets
1u Avalanche in regulation (-137)
1u Bruins ML (-165)
1u Bruins TT over 3.5 (-118)
1u Bruins/Panthers over 6.5 (-120)
.5u Bruins -1.5 (+155)
.5u Penguins in regulation (-152)
.5u Penguins TT over 3.5 (-159)
.5u Lightning in regulation (-127)
.5u Lightning/Kings over 6 (-110)
1u Jets in regulation (-129)
.5u Flyers TT under 2.5 in regulation (-134)
.5u Sabres +1.5 (-165)
1u Sabres/Wild over 6.5 (-105)
1u Oilers TT over 4 (-167)
1u Oilers/Blackhawks over 6.5 (-125)
1u Kraken in regulation (-165)
1u Kraken TT over 3.5 (-159)
.5u Kraken/Blue Jackets over 6 (-141)
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: 369-313-10 (-27.96 units)
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