Lousy double loser for me on the Leafs/Panthers game last night, going 0-2 to lose 3.22 units. After just a three game slate yesterday, we have a big eleven game NHL slate tonight to crush and bounce back!
I’m adding another two futures today in the Western Conference. The Minnesota Wild have been on fire lately and they’re playing playoff-style hockey lately. I’m adding a unit on them to win the West and half a unit on them to win the Cup, both of which I think are good hedge opportunities that we can get value out of in the playoffs. I still think the Bruins or a team out of the East win the Cup, but someone has to win the weak Western Conference, and hopefully its either the Wild or the Golden Knights.
No idea what’s up with the fucked up video quality and it messing with the colors when I upload to Instagram. Worked fine on my iPhone and on the upload to TikTok. Whatever, doesn’t matter. Let’s fucking win!!
Penguins vs. Predators (7:00)
This should be a pretty fun game between two pretty closely matched cross-conference teams. I broke this game down in depth in my article on StatSalt. As I said in that article, I expect the Penguins to win here at home but in no way should they be priced at -210, and with the way they’ve played recently, I don’t think they’re worth taking in regulation either, so I’ll stay off the side. I’d slightly lean the under, but not enough to even consider betting on it, so I will be staying off this game entirely.
Canadiens vs. Panthers (7:00)
This should be a very fun, yet lopsided matchup in the Atlantic Division. I broke this game down in depth in my article on StatSalt. Like I said in that article, even in second half of a back-to-back, I love the Panthers to bounce back tonight in Montreal with the chance to get into a Wild Card spot. The moneyline is a bit too expensive for me, but I’ll take them in regulation for a unit along with their team total over 3.5 for 1.5 units. I love the over as well, which I will take for 1.5 units. Let’s have Florida win me back all they lost me last night and more.
Bruins vs. Blue Jackets (7:00)
The Bruins are easily the best team in the NHL, with the Atlantic Division already locked up and setting records for this regular season as they come into tonight’s game with a 57-12-5 record and a 30-4-3 record at home. Since they’re already the top seed in the Atlantic, they have started to do the rest management shit, leaving their entire top line in Boston when they beat Carolina on Sunday and then losing 2-1 at home to the Predators on Tuesday. Boston has the best defense in the NHL and the second best offense. This team’s gonna win the Cup. The Blue Jackets on the other hand are right in the Bedard sweepstakes as one of the worst teams in the league with a 23-43-7 record, coming off a 6-2 loss on the road to the Rangers on Tuesday night. They’ve only won three of their last twelve games and have been horrible on both ends of the ice. The B’s easily won the first two games between these teams this season with a 4-0 shutout win on the road on October 28th and a 4-2 win at home on December 17th. Even if they sit some guys tonight (as I’d expect they will in this matchup), this game should be a cakewalk for Boston at home. That being said, the -480 price in this game is nuts. Can’t bet that or the -265 regulation line. I’ll take the Bruins puck line for half a unit and the Bruins team total over 4 for half a unit.
Devils vs. Rangers (7:00)
Tonight’s game will likely be a preview of the first round matchup in the Metro Division that we’ll see (assuming the Devils won’t catch the Canes for the top seed in the division) in a few weeks and tonight should be a good game between these two teams that already clinched. The Devils are in second place in the division, three points back from Carolina with a 46-20-8 record. They’re coming off a 5-1 loss on Long Island on Monday and are in a bit of a slump right now with just two wins in their last eight games. The Rangers are in third place in the Metro with a 44-20-10 record and are on fire lately. Coming off a 6-2 win against the Blue Jackets at home on Tuesday, they’re on a three game win streak with an impressive 9-1-1 record in their last eleven games. Both of these teams have played great on both ends of the ice with a slight edge offensively to the Devils and a slight edge defensively to the Rags. The previous games between these teams have been very entertaining this season. The Devils won the first game 5-3 in New York on November 28th in the first game then the next two games went to overtime, with the Rangers winning 4-3 in OT on December 12th at home and the Devils winning 4-3 in overtime at home on January 7th. I’d slightly lean the Rangers win on the road tonight to even the season series going into the playoffs, but not enough to bet it. I do like the over quite a bit though, which I will take for a unit.
Senators vs. Flyers (7:00)
Earlier this season this would have been such a shit game but with the way these teams have played recently, it could actually be a pretty fun game, even though both of these teams are outside of the playoff picture. The Senators, coming off a 5-2 win against the Panthers on Monday night are 36-33-5 on the season. They have three wins in their last five games, which were their only three wins in their last ten. The Flyers are having a pretty lousy season with a 29-32-12 record but come into tonight’s game on a four game win streak, picking up points in each of their last six games with a 5-0-1 record in that span, coming off a 3-2 win at home against the Habs on Tuesday night. These teams split their first two games, both winning on the road with a 2-1 Flyers win in Ottawa on November 5th and a 4-1 Senators win on November 12th in Philly. Neither of these teams have been great on either end of the ice, but the Sens are significantly better offensively and with that edge, I’d lean they win tonight on the road again, but not enough to bet it. I’d also slightly lean the under, but not enough to bet that either, so I’ll just stay off this game entirely.
Lightning vs. Capitals (7:00)
Interesting matchup here but it’s not great. The Lightning are comfortably in third place in the Eastern Conference with a 43-26-6 record, pretty much locked into a first round playoff matchup against the Leafs again (which I expect them to lose this year). They’re in a little bit of a slump right now but ended a four game losing streak on Tuesday night with a big 4-0 win in Carolina. The Bolts have been fantastic offensively once again this season, but their defense and goaltending has definitely taken a step back, which is why I think Toronto beats them in the playoffs. The Capitals are projected to miss the playoffs, coming into tonight’s game with a 34-32-9 record. They’re coming off a 2-1 shootout loss at home last night to the Islanders and have just one win in their last six games. Washington’s been decent defensively this season, but they’ve struggled to score. These teams split their first two games, neither of which were very close, with the Caps winning 5-1 at home on November 11th and the Lightning answering back with a 6-3 win two days later at home on November 13th. Especially with the Caps in the second half of a back to back and on the road, I expect the Bolts to win tonight at home. The moneyline here is a bit too expensive at -205, but I’ll take Tampa in regulation for half a unit, along with the alternate over 6 for half a unit.
Red Wings vs. Hurricanes (7:30)
This is a huge mismatch in the Eastern Conference. The Hurricanes lead the Metro Division with a 47-17-9 record, with a three point lead over the Devils. They’ve lost their last two games though with just one win in their last four games, coming off a 4-0 shutout loss at home against the Lightning on Tuesday and a 4-3 shootout loss to the Bruins on Sunday night. The Canes have played fantastic on both ends of the ice this season. The Red Wings are coming off a surprisingly impressive 7-4 win against the Penguins at home on Tuesday night to improve to 32-32-9 on the season, still far outside of the playoff picture, and they’ve only won four of their last 16 games. Detroit has struggled on both ends of the ice this year. In the first game between these teams this season in Detroit on December 13th, the Hurricanes won in a boring 1-0 shutout win on the road. I’d expect Carolina to win again here tonight on the road and will take them in regulation for a unit.
Blackhawks vs. Blues (8:30)
What a shitty Central Division matchup this is. I have zero interest in watching this dogshit game. The Blackhawks are easily one of the worst teams in the NHL this season with a 24-44-6 record and coming off a 4-1 loss at home to the Stars on Tuesday night, they’re on a six game losing streak with just three wins in their last 16 games. Chicago’s been horrible on both ends of the ice. The Blues are having a very disappointing season after being big sellers before the deadline as well, coming into tonight’s game with a 34-34-6 record. They’ve played pretty well recently though, with a 5-1-1 record in their last seven games, coming off a 6-5 win at home against Vancouver in overtime on Tuesday. St. Louis has been decent offensively this season but they’ve struggled mightily on the back end. The Blues have won two of the three previous games between these teams this season, winning 5-2 on the road on November 16th, winning 3-1 at home on December 29th, and then losing 4-3 at home on January 21st. I’d expect the Blues to win tonight and will take them for half a unit. I’d slightly lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Oilers vs. Kings (9:00)
Tonight’s game could very much be a previous of a first round playoff matchup in the Pacific Division, between two teams playing great hockey. The Oilers are on fire. Coming off a 7-4 win in Vegas on Tuesday, they’re on an eight game point streak with an 11-2-1 record in their last 14 games to improve to 43-23-9 on the season, currently in third place in the tight top of the Pacific. Edmonton has the best offense in the NHL, lead by the best hockey player in the world in McDavid, but their defense and goaltending hasn’t been great. The Kings have played similar hockey, with a good offense but inconsistent defense and goaltending. They’re a point ahead of the Oilers in the standings with a 43-21-10 record. LA has been hot recently as well, with a 10-1-2 record in their last 13 games but had a twelve game point streak come to an end on Tuesday night in Calgary, losing 2-1. The Kings won both previous games between these teams this season, winning 3-1 in Edmonton on November 16th and then 6-3 at home on January 9th. I like the Oilers to answer back here with a win on home ice and will take them for half a unit. I like the over better though and will take the alternate over 6.5 tonight for a unit, laying the -167 juice on it.
Kraken vs. Ducks (10:00)
Pretty huge mismatch in the Pacific Division. The Kraken are having a good season and currently hold the first Wild Card spot in the West with a 40-25-8 record. They’re in a bit of a slump right now though with just three wins in their last nine games, coming off a 5-1 loss in Minnesota on Monday night. Seattle’s been very good offensively this season but they’ve struggled defensively at times. The Ducks are one of the worst teams in the NHL, right in the Bedard sweepstakes with a 23-41-10 record. They’re on a five game losing streak coming off a 5-1 loss at home to the Avs on Monday night. Anaheim’s been awful on both ends of the ice. The Kraken won two of the three games between these teams earlier this season, losing 5-4 in overtime in Anaheim on October 12th, winning 5-4 in Anaheim on November 27th and then winning 5-2 at home on March 7th. I’d expect them to win again tonight. The price on this game is way too expensive for me at -345 and the regulation line at -215 is even too pricey for me. I’ll take the Kraken team total over 4 for a unit and the over for half a unit.
Sharks vs. Golden Knights (10:30)
This game matches up two rivals that sit on the complete opposite ends of the Pacific Division standings. The Golden Knights lead the Western Conference with a 46-22-6 record. They had a four game win streak come to an end on Tuesday night at home to the Oilers, losing 7-4 but they’ve been very good lately, with a 17-4-2 record in their last 23 games. Vegas has played well on both ends of the ice this season. The Sharks have been pathetic, with a 20-39-15 record, the fewest wins in the NHL. They had a nine game losing streak finally come to an end on Tuesday at home, beating the Jets in a 3-0 shutout, just their second win in their last 16 games. San Jose’s been terrible on both ends of the ice. The Knights have won two of the three previous games between these Pacific Division rivals this season, winning 4-2 in San Jose on October 25th, losing 5-2 at home on November 15th, and then answering back with a 2-1 win at home on February 16th. Vegas is the way better team here and should win again tonight. I’m actually shocked by the price on this game being only -185 for Vegas and will lay the juice on them on the road for 2 units.
Game Bets
1u Panthers in regulation (-120)
1.5u Panthers TT over 3.5 (-143)
1.5u Panthers/Canadiens over 6.5 (-148)
.5u Bruins -1.5 (-167)
.5u Bruins TT over 4 (-162)
1u Devils/Rangers over 6 (-121)
.5u Lightning in regulation (-124)
.5u Lightning/Capitals over 6 (-129)
1u Hurricanes in regulation (-134)
.5u Blues ML (-140)
.5u Oilers ML (-165)
1u Oilers/Kings over 6.5 (-167)
1u Kraken TT over 4 (-130)
.5u Kraken/Ducks over 6.5 (-110)
2u Golden Knights ML (-180)
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)
.5u Minnesota Wild – Stanley Cup Champions (+2000)
1u Minnesota Wild – Western Conference Champions (+800)
Record: 642-527-25 (-54.67 units)
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