Somehow the Sens/Jackets game last night didn’t go over, leaving me at 0-2 on the night on the NHL, losing 2.15 units. But at least I stayed off the Sharks game. Today we have a big 13 game Saturday slate. Let’s find something here.
Stars vs. Lightning (2:00)
Really fun matchup to get our day started. Both of these are good teams, but they’ve both played pretty poorly lately. Dallas is the better overall team in this matchup and I like the Stars to get a win at home. I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d lean the under but not enough to bet on it.
Jets vs. Blackhawks (3:00)
Big mismatch in this Central Division game. Although the Jets are on a three game losing streak, not able to get their offense going in their games against the Oilers, Stars, and Preds, they’re the far better team than the Blackhawks. The moneyline is far too pricey for me at -300, but I like Winnipeg to end their losing streak with a relatively easy win at home today. I’ll take them in regulation for a unit.
Predators vs. Rangers (4:30)
This should be a pretty fun game with both of these teams playing excellent hockey right now. The Rangers are one of the best teams in the NHL. The Preds have over exceeded my expectations but they just had a six game win streak come to an end with a pathetic 6-1 loss to the Wild at home. Nashville won the first game this season between these cross-conference teams 4-1, which was a surprise in MSG early in the season, but I like the Rags to answer back with a win at home tonight, with a much better defense. I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d lean the over with the total at just 5.5, but not quite enough to bet it.
Panthers vs. Islanders (6:00)
This is a fun matchup. The Panthers, although coming off two dominant wins in their last three games, are in a bit of a slump. They’ve played above my projections all season, especially impressing me defensively. The Isles after their slow start are playing pretty well too. I like Florida to win this one at home and I’ll take them for half a unit.
Maple Leafs vs. Bruins (7:00)
Fantastic matchup in the Atlantic Division between two of the best teams in the East. The first game between these teams a month ago needed a shootout for the Bruins to win 3-2 at home. I’d slightly lean the Leafs win this one to answer back at home, although the Bruins are the better team and would slightly lean the under, but not enough to bet either in what’s pretty close to a coin flip in my eyes. I’ll stay off this game completely.
Canadiens vs. Red Wings (7:00)
This should be a pretty fun game. Both of these teams have played solid hockey lately. I still think the Red Wings are the far better team in this matchup despite the hot run for the Habs. I like them to win here and I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d slightly lean the over, but both teams have trended under lately, so I’m not betting it.
Senators vs. Kraken (7:00)
Pretty lousy matchup here with both of these teams playing sub-par hockey and coming into tonight’s game on three game losing streaks. I couldn’t believe the Sens lost last night with the over not hitting in a game that had Ottawa outshooting the Jackets 43-23, giving me a double loser. I’d lean even in the second half of a back to back, Senators offense gives them the edge to get the win here but not enough to bet on them. I like the over though, and I’ll take the alternate over 6 for half a unit.
Penguins vs. Flyers (7:00)
This Pennsylvania rivalry is always fun to watch, regardless of how these teams are playing. The Flyers after a hot start have cooled off, while the Pens have been a bit up and down all year. Pittsburgh’s the better team here and I’ll take the Penguins for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet on it.
Hurricanes vs. Sabres (7:00)
My Sabres can’t seem to put together two games in a row. After a phenomenal win against the Rangers, we looked like shit on Thursday night (I didn’t have a chance to blog that game), losing 6-4 in St. Louis as after looking like an All Star in MSG, UPL let in six goals on 20 shots, with Buffalo outshooting the Blues 46-20. Pathetic way to lose. We have a way tougher matchup tonight in Carolina, where the Sabres haven’t won since 2016. Buffalo hung in with the Canes in the first game between these teams down in Raleigh this season, losing 3-2 in overtime. Carolina’s the far better team here and I’ll bet against my guys and take the Hurricanes in regulation for a unit.
Coyotes vs. Blues (9:00)
My initial thought here was that this matchup stinks, but I think this could actually be a fun game in the Central. In the three games these teams have already played this season, the Blues are 2-1. The Yotes won the first game 6-2 in St. Louis, the Blues answered back with a 2-1 win at home and then a 6-5 win in Arizona. Tonight I’d slightly lean the Coyotes tie up the season series at home at the Mullett and would slightly lean the over, but I’m not betting either. I’ll stay off this game entirely.
Flames vs. Canucks (10:00)
A few weeks ago I would’ve though Canucks in a blowout in this Canadian Pacific Division matchup but now that tune’s a little different. Vancouver, coming off a 4-1 loss at home against Vegas on Thursday have just three wins in their last eight games. The Flames after their sad start have played much better lately, with three wins in their last four games. They won the first game between these teams 5-2 at home on November 16th. I think there’s value on the Canucks as a road dog here and I’ll take them for half a unit at + money. I’d lean the under slightly, but I’ll lay off it.
Golden Knights vs. Capitals (10:00)
This should be a fun matchup between the teams that faced each other in the 2018 Cup Finals. Both of these teams have gotten out of their little slumps they were in, both having solid seasons so far. In the first game between these teams this season, the Golden Knights far outplayed the Caps, but Washington won 3-0 at home in a game that was 1-0 until the empty net. I like Vegas to answer back with a win here and although the moneyline around -200 is expensive, I’ll take the Knights in regulation for half a unit. I’d lean the under, but I’m not betting it.
Ducks vs. Avalanche (10:00)
Big mismatch to close out the night. The Avs are a fantastic team and had their four game win streak come to an end on Thursday, losing 4-3 in overtime on the road in Arizona, just their second loss in their last nine games. The Ducks were hot to start the season but they’ve cooled off big time, losing their last eight games in a row. In the first game between these teams, Colorado won in a blowout at home, winning 8-2. I don’t expect this game to be as lopsided on the road in Anaheim, but I like Avalanche to win on the road. This is my favorite play of the day and I’ll take the Avs in regulation for 2 units.
Game Bets
.5u Stars ML (-155)
1u Jets in regulation (-175)
.5u Rangers ML (-139)
.5u Panthers ML (-175)
.5u Red Wings ML (-155)
.5u Senators/Kraken over 6 (-145)
.5u Penguins ML (-165)
1u Hurricanes in regulation (-141)
.5u Canucks ML (+108)
.5u Golden Knights in regulation (-120)
2u Avalanche in regulation (-145)
Futures
4u Vegas Golden Knights – Stanley Cup Champions (+1000)
Record: 159-161-2 (-33.4 units)
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