Yesterday the Avs blew a 3-1 lead in the third period to go to OT, swinging me to having a losing night on the NHL, going 6-7-1 to lose 2.57 units. After a huge eleven game slate yesterday and an even bigger one tomorrow, we have just three games tonight. Let’s bounce back!
Jets vs. Flames (7:30)
This is a crucial game for the second Wild Card spot in the Western Conference with Calgary just two points back from the Jets. I broke this matchup down in depth in my article on StatSalt. As I said in that article, I’d slightly lean the Flames win on the road to bounce back from their loss at home to the Blackhawks last night and the under in this game, but not enough to bet either.
Rangers vs. Lightning (7:30)
This should be a fun game tonight, which doesn’t really matter a whole lot with both of these teams who met in last year’s Eastern Conference finals already having their spots in the playoffs clinched, each in third place in their divisions and likely not moving up or down in that position. The Lightning have their first round matchup set already against the Leafs, a series I expect the Bolts to lose this season. They’re 45-26-6 on the season, coming into tonight’s game on a three-game win streak, coming off a 5-0 shutout win at home against the Islanders on Saturday where the three time defending Eastern Conference champions officially clinched their spot in this year’s playoffs. Tampa’s been fantastic offensively this season once again, but their defense and goaltending has definitely taken a step back this year. The Rangers are having a great year with their spot in the playoffs clinched as well, comfortably in third place in the Metro Division with a 45-21-11 record. They’re coming off a 5-2 win in Washington on Sunday afternoon with a 10-2-2 record in their last 14 games. New York’s played really well on both ends of the ice this year. These teams split their two previous games earlier this season, with the Rags winning 3-1 at home on October 11th and the Bolts answering back with a 2-1 shootout win at home on December 29th. I’d slightly lean the Rangers win tonight at home in MSG but not enough to bet it. I’d also slightly lean the under but not enough to bet that either, so I’ll stay off this game entirely. Should be a fun one to watch though.
Ducks vs. Oilers (10:00)
This is a huge mismatch in the Pacific Division to close out tonight’s lousy slate. The Ducks are one of the worst teams in the NHL, right in the Bedard sweepstakes with a 23-44-10 record. They’re on an eight game losing streak, coming off a 5-4 loss in Calgary on Sunday. Anaheim has statistically been one of the worst teams in the NHL on both ends of the ice. The Oilers have their spot in the playoffs clinched with a 46-23-9 record, coming into tonight’s game on an eleven game point streak with an 10-0-1 record in that span. They’re in the second half of a back-to-back after a 3-1 win in LA last night that extended their win streak to five straight games. Led by the best hockey player in the world in Connor McDavid, who’s running away with every offensive award the league has, Edmonton’s offense is easily the best in the NHL, but their defense and goaltending has been inconsistent at best. The Oilers lead the season series between these teams 2-1, losing 4-3 at home on December 17th but answering back with a 6-2 win in Anaheim on January 11th and a dominant 6-0 shutout win just five days ago, last Friday at home. Edmonton should once again win pretty easily tonight. The moneyline is too expensive at -335, as is the -200 regulation line. I’ll take the Oilers puck line for half a unit and the Oilers team total over 4 for a unit. I’d lean the over on the game, but not enough to bet it.
Game Bets
.5u Oilers -1.5 (-130)
1u Oilers TT over 4 (-157)
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: 674-549-28 (-55.38 units)
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