Not my best slate last night on the second day of the NHL season, going 3-3 but losing 1.63 units with the Oilers being complete duds losing 8-1 in Vancouver and the Leafs needed a shootout to beat the Habs. Let’s bounce back on tonight’s seven game slate!
Sabres vs. Rangers (7:00)
My Sabres open the season tonight in this NY state matchup against the Rangers. I broke it down in depth in my article on StatSalt. I like my boys to get a win at home tonight and I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but I’m not betting it.
Blue Jackets vs. Flyers (7:00)
I don’t expect much for their of these teams this season. I think both of them will be at towards the bottom of the standings at the end of the year and expect the Flyers to be one of the worst two teams in the league (along with the Sharks). I’d lean the Jackets win this game at home and the over, but I’m not betting this shitty matchup at all.
Devils vs. Red Wings (7:30)
Last season the Devils made the biggest improvement from one year to the next in NHL history with a great season, beating with the Rangers in the first round and then losing to Carolina in the second round. I expect Jersey to have another really good season and build on that success this year. The Red Wings saw a decent improvement last year and I think they get better this season and compete for a playoff spot, but ultimately end up falling short. The Devils should open their season with a win at home here. The moneyline is too expensive at -235, but I’ll take them in regulation for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Predators vs. Kraken (8:00)
Both of these teams opened their seasons with a loss on Tuesday night, with the Kraken losing to Vegas and the Preds blowing a third period lead to lose to the Lightning. I think this ends up being a pretty competitive game. I’d lean the Kraken get the win here and end up having the better season, but I’ll stay off this game with them on the road tonight. I’d slightly lean the over but not enough to bet it.
Stars vs. Blues (8:00)
The Stars were a really solid team last season on both ends of the ice and I expect them to be good again this year. The Blues struggled quite a bit last year and they were big sellers, not improving a whole lot in the offseason. I like Dallas to win here at home to start their season. I’m not laying the -205 here, but I’ll take the Stars in regulation for half a unit. I’d lean the under here but I’m not betting it.
Wild vs. Panthers (8:00)
These teams were both electric to watch last season. The Wild were a really good defensive team while having some impressive offensive performances at time, but falling short at other points. The Panthers got in the playoffs as the Wild Card on the last day of the season, getting lucky as the Penguins lost their last two games. They captured magic in a bottle though in the playoffs, going all the way through the Eastern Conference to the Stanley Cup Finals. I think they take a step back this year, but still end up being a fun team. I think this game’s a coin flip on both the side and the total, and I’ll stay off it completely.
Sharks vs. Golden Knights (10:30)
This is a huge mismatch. After lifting their Stanley Cup banner on Tuesday night, the Golden Knights opened their season with a dominant 4-1 victory against the Kraken. They’re going to be a really good team and contend for the Cup again this season. The Sharks on the other hand I expect to be one of the worst teams in the NHL this year. They’re going to be horrible and I’m going to bet against them constantly this year. I’m not laying the -245 moneyline, but I’ll take the Knights in regulation for a unit.
Game Bets
.5u Sabres ML (+112)
.5u Devils in regulation (-143)
.5u Stars in regulation (-125)
1u Golden Knights in regulation (-148)
Record: 4-6 (-3.2 units)
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