I started off hot yesterday but the Jets let me down big time so I finished the day going 4-4 to lose 0.86 units. We have a five game NHL slate tonight before a huge 13 game slate tomorrow. Let’s crush it.
Red Wings vs. Panthers (7:00)
I wouldn’t quite say that this is a great matchup in the Atlantic Division tonight but it does have some potential to be a fun game. Coming off a big 4-2 win at home against the Devils on Saturday, the Panthers are playing their best hockey of the season right now, getting themselves close to a Wild Card spot in the East, just a point back from the Penguins, as they’re on a six game points streak winning five of their last six games and twelve of their last 18 to improve to 35-27-7 on the year. Although Florida’s dropped quite a bit from how good they were last year when they won the President’s Trophy, their offense is still very good this year. The defense and goaltending has been inconsistent at its best and they’ve struggled at many points this season because of the back end play. The Red Wings haven’t had a great season and after a 5-1 blowout loss at home to the Avs on Saturday afternoon (easy winner for me), they fall to 30-29-9 on the year with just two wins in their last eleven games. Detroit hasn’t played well statistically on either end of the ice. The Panthers won both previous games between these teams this season, winning 5-1 in a blowout at home on December 8th and then winning 3-2 on the road on January 6th. Florida’s rolling right now and I’d expect them to complete the season sweep on the road in Detroit tonight and will take them for a unit along with half a unit each on the puck line and the team total over 3.5. I also like the over, which I’ll take for half a unit.
Penguins vs. Senators (7:00)
This should be an interesting game with these two teams both trying to get out of losing streaks. The Penguins still hold a one point lead over the Panthers for the second Wild Card spot in the East with a 34-25-10 record, but they’re on a three-game losing streak, coming off two losses in a row at MSG against the Rangers, getting shut out in a 6-0 loss on Saturday afternoon. Pittsburgh’s offense has been good this season but their defense and goaltending has been very inconsistent. The Senators went on a decent run a few weeks ago but have since come crashing down. They’re on a five game losing streak to drop to 33-31-5 on the season and they’ve played below league average on both ends of the ice. These teams split their two previous games this season with the Sens winning 5-4 in overtime at home on January 18th and the Pens answering back with a 4-1 win at home two days later. I like the Penguins to win here at home to end their losing streak and will take them for half a unit. I also like the over and will take the alternate over 6.5 for half a unit.
Avalanche vs. Blackhawks (9:00)
This is a giant mismatch in the Central Division. The defending cup champs are playing great hockey and coming off a 5-1 win in Detroit on Saturday (easy winner), they’re on a five game win streak to improve to 40-22-6 on the season. The Avs are in third place in the Central and seem to be rolling like they did last year. Their offense has been improving immensely recently to go along with their defense that has been fantastic all year and especially with how weak the West is this year, they could definitely contend to defend their title. The Blackhawks on the other hand are one of the worst teams in the NHL, especially after the trade deadline. They have just three wins in their last eleven games, dropping to 24-39-6 on the season after a 4-2 loss in Arizona on Saturday. Chicago’s been statistically one of the worst teams on both ends of the ice this year. These teams split their two previous games this season, with Colorado winning the first game 5-2 to open the season when they got their rings on October 12th but the Blackhawks picked up a 3-2 win at home on January 12th. The price on this game at -420 is way too expensive and even the -240 moneyline is too pricey. I’ll take the Avs puck line for half a unit.
Oilers vs. Sharks (9:30)
This is a huge mismatch as I broke down in depth in my article on StatSalt. Like I said in that article, I expect the Oilers to completely dominate this game. I’m loading up on them here with a unit on the puck line and their team total over 4 for half a unit. I also like the over quite a bit, which I’ll take for a unit.
Kings vs. Flames (10:30)
I’d expect this to actually be a very fun game in the Pacific Division despite these teams not really having similar seasons. The Kings are in second place in the Division, two points back from Vegas to lead the West. They’re on a nine game point streak but are coming off a disappointing 3-2 shootout loss at home to the Canucks on Saturday where they completely outplayed Vancouver but couldn’t find a way to win. LA’s offense has been very good all season but their defense and goaltending has been inconsistent all year. The Flames are having a disappointing year with a 31-24-15 record, completely outside of the playoff picture. They’re on a four game point streak with a 4-1-2 record in their last seven games. Calgary hasn’t been all that great on either end of the ice, especially offensively. These teams split their first two games, both winning at home, a 6-5 Flames win on November 14th and a 4-3 overtime win for the Kings on December 22nd. I’d lean the Kings and the over but not enough to bet on either of them, so I’ll just stay off this last late night game.
Game Bets
1u Panthers ML (-180)
.5u Panthers -1.5 (+150)
.5u Panthers TT over 3.5 (-122)
.5u Panthers/Red Wings over 6.5 (-135)
.5u Penguins ML (-165)
.5u Penguins/Senators over 6.5 (-135)
.5u Avalanche -1.5 (-162)
1u Oilers -1.5 (-130)
.5u Oilers TT over 4 (-143)
1u Oilers/Sharks over 6.5 (-135)
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)
Record: 588-496-23 (-65.49 units)
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