NHL Daily Gambling Preview – 3/15/23

I’m so sick of fucking losing on the NHL with all the research and time I put into this shit. Last night I went 8-8 but lost 4.2 units. Blows. Tonight we have a four game slate. Let’s bounce back.

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Capitals vs. Sabres (7:00)

This should be a pretty fun game tonight. The Sabres are coming off a huge 4-3 win in Toronto on Monday night, ending a four game losing streak and we were in a huge slump with just one win in our last seven games prior to Monday’s game. Buffalo’s still in the Wild Card race with a 33-28-5 record. Our young offense is fantastic this year, as the third highest scoring team in the league but the defense and goaltending has been horrible. The Caps haven’t been great this season, with a 32-29-7 record. They have just one win in their last four games, coming off a 5-3 loss in MSG against the Rangers last night. Their offense has struggled this season but the defense and goaltending hasn’t been bad. The Sabres won both previous games between these teams this season, winning 5-4 in overtime in the first game in Washington on January 3rd and then in a big 7-4 win at home on February 26th. Especially with the Caps in the second half of a back to back, I like the Sabres to win tonight on the road and will take them for half a unit at even money. I like the over even more though, and will take the alternate over 6.5 here for a unit.

Maple Leafs vs. Avalanche (7:00)

This should be an awesome cross conference game tonight. The Leafs are having a great season, comfortably in second place in the Atlantic Division with a 40-18-8 record and a 24-7-4 home record. They’re pretty much locked into a first round rematch this season against the Lightning and think they actually get out of the first round this year. Toronto’s coming off a 4-3 loss to the Sabres (huge win for my boys, blow Leafs blow) at home on Monday night but they’ve played fantastic hockey on both ends of the ice. The Avs have played really well recently too, winning three of their last four games, coming off a dominant 8-4 win on Monday in Montreal where they had a 4-0 win in the first period and rode a 6-1 lead to an easy W. Their offense has definitely taken a step back from when they lifted the Cup last year but their defense and goaltending have been great. Toronto won the first game between these teams in Colorado this season, winning 6-2 on New Years Eve. I’d lean the Leafs win here at home, but don’t think there’s enough value in betting them. I do like the over though, which I’ll take for half a unit.

Blues vs. Wild (9:30)

This is a pretty big mismatch that no longer has the luster between these Central Division teams that they had last year. I broke this game down in depth with my article on StatSalt. I like the Wild to win pretty easily, with a much superior defense and an offense that has somehow come to life without Karill the thrill. I’ll take them for a unit. I’d slightly lean the under, not enough to bet it with how bad the Blues defense is.

Ducks vs. Islanders (10:00)

The Ducks are one of the worst teams in the NHL with just a 22-35-10 record, but they just keep chugging along lately. Coming off a 5-4 overtime loss in Nashville on Sunday, they’ve picked up at least a point in all but one of their last nine games, with a 5-1-3 record in that span of time. Anaheim is still one of the worst statistical team on both ends of the ice. The Islanders are coming off two losses in a row, losing 5-2 in LA last night and 5-1 at home against the Caps on Saturday, dropping to 34-27-8 on the season. They still hold the second Wild Card spot in the East. Their offense has struggled this season but their defense has been very good. In the first game between these teams on Long Island on October 15th, the Isles won in a 7-1 blowout. I’d lean the Isles win here on the road tonight, but not enough to bet on them at -185 in the second half of a back-to-back. I would also lean the under, but not enough to bet that either at 5.5, so I’ll just stay off this game completely.

Game Bets

.5u Sabres ML (-102)

1u Capitals/Sabres over 6.5 (-140)

.5u Maple Leafs/Avalanche over 6.5 (-110)

1u Wild ML (-140)

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 York Rangers – Stanley Cup Champions (+1300)

1u New Jersey Devils – Stanley Cup Champions (+1600)