After a slight loss on the NHL on Thursday, I bounced back last night with a slight win, going 3-1 to win 0.65 units, capped by a nice three goal comeback win by the Kings. Today we have a nine game slate, which is a bit smaller than usual for a Saturday. Let’s win here!
Flyers vs. Ducks (1:00)
Interesting cross-conference matchup to start off the day here. I expected both of these teams to be at the basement of the NHL standings but they’re both off to decent starts. The Flyers have far exceeded my expectations starting the year 4-2-1, coming off a big 6-2 win against the Wild on Thursday that I’m glad I stayed off and the Ducks are on a two game win streak to improve to 3-4 after two overtime wins. I lost on their game against the Bruins on Thursday where they came back from down 3-1 with 1:55 left in regulation and won in overtime on Mason McTavish’s game winner (I had the B’s in regulation). I’d expect Philly to win this game tonight as they’ve really impressed me so far and I’ll lay the juice on them for half a unit to start the day.
Panthers vs. Kraken (6:00)
This should be a pretty fun game tonight. I’m not really sold on either of these teams yet this year, especially the Kraken. I’d slightly lean that Florida wins this one at home but not enough to bet them. I really considered betting the over, but I don’t really see enough value on it to warrant betting. I’ll skip this game entirely.
Bruins vs. Red Wings (7:00)
This should be a fun game between the top two teams to start the season in the Atlantic Division. The B’s completely fucked me from a winning night on Thursday, blowing a 3-1 lead with just 1:55 left in regulation in their 4-3 OT loss to the Ducks at home. I broke this game down in depth in my article on Winners and Whiners. As I said in that article, I like the Bruins to bounce back here from their collapse on Thursday night and I’ll take them in regulation for half a unit. I’d slightly lean the under but not enough to bet on it.
Penguins vs. Senators (7:00)
This is an interesting matchup, which I broke this game down in depth in my article on Winners and Whiners. Like I said in that article, I’d lean the Penguins win at home, giving them the defensive edge, but not enough to bet them. I do like the over though, expecting both teams to score and I’ll lay the juice on for half a unit.
Canadiens vs. Jets (7:00)
This isn’t a great game to me. I don’t really expect either of these teams to make the playoffs but they’ve both played well as of late, with the Jets on a three game winning streak after a 4-1 win in Detroit on Thursday night and the Habs winning three of their last four games. I’d slightly lean the Jets win here but not enough to bet on them, especially on the road as a -140 favorite. I’d also slightly lean the under, but it’s too early in the season for me to bet those, so I’ll stay off this game completely.
Blue Jackets vs. Islanders (7:00)
Neither of these teams have been all that great to start the year. I thought the Blue Jackets would be just slightly worse than they’ve been in their 3-2-2 start to the year and the Isles are right around where I expected them at 3-2-1. I’d lean the Isles get the win on the road in this game and would lean the under, but I’m not touching this matchup.
Predators vs. Maple Leafs (7:00)
The Leafs are 5-2 to start the year and come into tonight’s game on a three game winning streak on the road, coming off a pretty impressive 4-1 win in Dallas on Thursday night. This team looks good and they’re clearly one of the favorites in the East. The Preds aren’t all that great, coming into tonight’s game with a 3-4 record and not really impressing me on either side of the ice in their start. I like the Leafs to get it done in Smashville tonight and I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d slightly lean the under, but I’ll just stick with Toronto here.
Canucks vs. Rangers (10:00)
This should be a really fun cross-conference game with both of these teams off to pretty solid 5-2 starts and playing good hockey on both ends of the ice. They’ve both impressed me. I’d lean the Rangers get it done here on the road with the better defense and goaltending and would lean the under, but not enough to bet on either in what’s not strong enough of a lean for me to throw cash on this one. I’ll definitely throw this game on though in the background of college football later.
Kings vs. Golden Knights (10:30)
Really fun nightcap with a great Pacific Division matchup. The Golden Knights took their first loss of the season last night, losing 4-3 at home against an unlikely opponent in the Blackhawks (my only loss on last night’s slate), ending their record 7-0 start after winning the Cup. This team’s been great and I think they will absolutely compete to go back to back and in my eyes they’re the favorite to win the Cup this year, fully expecting them to be in the Western Conference Finals against the Avs. LA’s good too though. The Kings had a big comeback to cap off my night yesterday with a winner, coming all the way back from down 4-1 in the first period and scoring the game winner with just under two minutes left in regulation to get the win for me against the Yotes. I like the Knights to bounce back on the road tonight after their loss yesterday and get the win, which I’ll take for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Game Bets
.5u Flyers ML (-177)
.5u Bruins in regulation (-127)
.5u Penguins/Senators over 6.5 (-130)
.5u Maple Leafs ML (-142)
.5u Golden Knights ML (-106)
Record: 44-43 (-8.66 units)
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