I pretty much broke even on yesterday’s NHL slate, going 3-2 (losing 0.09 units). Today we have a quick four game slate, highlighted by the Heritage Classic for the Battle of Alberta. Let’s win!
Sabres vs. Avalanche (1:00)
I don’t have a whole lot of faith in my Sabres getting it done here to start the day, even with the red and black on. The defense looked horrible in Friday night’s 5-4 loss to the Devils. UPL, while actually playing well both in his start and in relief of Comrie when he got injured on Friday, is confirmed in goal and I don’t expect him to be great. I think the Avs, especially coming off a 4-0 shutout loss in Pittsburgh on Thursday night crush us today. I’ll take Colorado here two ways with their team total for a unit and the moneyline for half a unit, both at solid prices. I’d lean the over on the game but not enough to bet it.
Capitals vs. Sharks (5:00)
I’m not really sold on the Caps doing much this season besides Ovi chasing Gretzky’s goal record. The Sharks though are easily the worst team in the NHL and I’m going to continue smashing whoever plays them every day. I broke this game down in depth in my article on StatSalt. Like I said in that blog, I expect an easy Capitals win. The moneyline is still too expensive for me at -220 with how lousy the Caps are, even against the worst team in hockey, but I’ll take the Caps to win in regulation for half a unit. I’m also taking my first under of the year in this matchup for half a unit with two of the three worst offenses in the NHL so far facing each other. I don’t expect much scoring for either of these teams, especially the Sharks. San Jose has by far the worst offense in the NHL so far this season, scoring an average of just a goal per game, having generated the fewest expected goals and the seventh-fewest high-danger shots in the league. The Capitals offense is only marginally better, scoring an average of just two goals per game, the third-fewest in the NHL, having generated the eighth-fewest expected goals and the eighth-fewest high-danger shots in the league.
Devils vs. Wild (5:00)
This should be a fun game in Jersey. I’m not really sold on the Wild yet this season since their defense has struggled way more that I expected them to. The Devis are a solid team and I expect them to get the win tonight. I’ll take Jersey for half a unit and I’ll take the over as well.
Oilers vs. Flames (7:00)
The NHL takes the Battle of Alberta outdoors up North tonight for the Heritage Classic. I absolutely love outdoor games. There’s just a magical feeling when you bring hockey back to its roots of playing under the falling snow in the crisp air. Great move by the NHL to make this year’s Heritage Classic be between the biggest rivalry in the league. The game itself here isn’t great as both of these teams have really struggled to their start to the season. I’d lean the Oilers win here but their offense (without McDavid to make it worse) has done nothing this year. I’ll stay off this game completely, but I’ll be sure to tune in.
Game Bets
1u Avalanche TT over 3.5 (-128)
.5u Avalanche ML (-175)
.5u Capitals in regulation (-130)
.5u Capitals/Sharks under 6.5 (-132)
.5u Devils ML (-166)
.5u Devils/Wild over 6.5 (-120)
Record: 47-45 (-8.75 units)
Please follow me:
Instagram: @atownszone
Twitter: @atownszone
If you like the site and my work, share it with your friends!
… and tell Dave Portnoy to hire me at Barstool…
A Town's Zone 