I finally had a winning day yesterday on the NHL, with a mini sweep, going 2-0 to win 1.5 units. Tonight we have a big 13 slate. Let’s get a win streak going!
Bruins vs. Sabres (7:00)
Big mismatch in the Atlantic tonight. My Sabres have been terrible, coming into tonight’s game on a four game losing streak with just three wins in our last twelve games, coming off a really good third period where they tried to crawl out of a 4-0 deficit to the Red Wings at home, but weren’t able to in a 5-3 loss. The Bruins have been fantastic, leading the Atlantic and coming into tonight’s game on a three game win streak after Brad Marchand’s hat trick to beat the Blue Jackets 3-1 on Sunday. The first time these teams played in Buffalo this season, the B’s won 5-2. They own us, historically dominating the Sabres. I expect just as easy for a win for Boston tonight at home. I’ll continue to fade my team and I’ll take the Bruins in regulation for 1.5 units.
Canadiens vs. Kings (7:00)
The first time these cross conference teams played this season a few weeks ago in LA, the Kings blanked the Habs with a 4-0 shutout win at home. I’d expect another easy win for them tonight in this big mismatch. The Habs have been pretty bad this season. The Kings have been very good. They’ve got just one loss in their last eight games, coming off a 4-3 OT win against the Blue Jackets on Tuesday, coming back from a 3-0 deficit in the third period. LA’s picked up at least a point in 15 of their last 17 games. I’ll take the Kings in regulation on the road for a unit.
Senators vs. Maple Leafs (7:00)
The Battle of Ontario is always fun despite the difference in skill between these two teams. I was shocked by the Sens 6-2 win over the Rangers on Tuesday night, their second win in a row, but this team’s struggled this season. The Leafs have been good this season, but they’ve kept a lot of their games very close, with only have five regulation wins this year despite their 12-6-4 record. Ottawa pulled off the road upset in the first game between these teams this season, winning 6-3 in Toronto on November 8th. I’d expect the Maple Leafs to answer back here tonight at the Canadian Tire. The price here is much cheaper than I think it should be and I’ll take a shot on Toronto for half a unit. I like the over in this game as well and I’ll take the over 6.5 for half a unit as well.
Red Wings vs. Sharks (7:00)
It’s SHOWTIME in Detroit. The Red Wings are having a pretty solid year and should be making playoffs this season. They’re on a three game win streak after a 5-3 win against my Sabres on Tuesday where they got out to a 4-0 lead and sat on it for their sixth win in their last seven games. Tonight the greatest American born player in history, Patrick Kane will make his Detroit debut and has said that he feels his best in years after his hip surgery in the offseason. He’ll reunite on the same line as his boy Alex DeBrincat. For a team that is as horrendous as they San Jose Sharks this season, lately they’ve been brutal to bet against. Coming off a 5-4 overtime win on Long Island on Tuesday where they came back from a 4-1 third period deficit. They’ve won four of their last six games and have covered the puck line in six of their last seven games. That said, Detroit has to win tonight. I’ll take the Red Wings in regulation for 1.5 units, their team total over 3.5 for a unit. I’m gonna get cute too here and take Showtime to get a point tonight for half a unit.
Islanders vs. Blue Jackets (7:30)
This matchup blows. The Isles fucked me on Tuesday in I think the first time all year that I have bet on them, blowing a 4-1 lead in the third period and going on to lose in OT to the Sharks. The Blue Jackets have sucked on both ends of the ice. In the first game between these teams in Columbus, the Islanders won 2-0 in a shutout on the road on October 28th. I’d lean the Isles win this game at home tonight, relatively easily and the over, but no way I’m betting this game. I’ll skip it completely.
Capitals vs. Stars (8:00)
This should be a fun cross conference matchup in our nation’s capital tonight. These teams have both cooled down after hot runs. The Caps, coming off a 6-0 shutout loss in Arizona on Monday night, have just two wins in their last six games. Even though their defense has been very good this season, their offense can’t get anything going. The Stars have been good but have just one win in their last four game after 5-4 loss in Florida to the Panthers last night. I’d lean Dallas wins this one on the road tonight, but on the second half of a back to back, I don’t like it enough to bet on it. I’ll stay off this game.
Predators vs. Lightning (8:00)
This game should be a fun one in Smashville. On opening night of the season, the Lightning won the first game between these teams 5-3 at home. Both of these teams have played solid competitive hockey as of late. Tampa has the better offense while the Preds have the slightly better defense. I’d slightly lean the Bolts win on the road tonight, but this is too close to a coin flip of a game for me to bet this game.
Blackhawks vs. Ducks (8:30)
What a shitty matchup between two of the worst teams in the NHL. Both of these teams have been horrible. I think the Ducks are the more talented team, but I don’t see any edge in betting anything on this game. I’ll lay off it completely.
Avalanche vs. Jets (9:00)
Awesome game here between two teams that have been great this year. The Avs ended their three game losing streak with a 3-2 win against the Ducks on Tuesday (big win for me). The Jets after going on a three game skid of their own have since won their last two games, coming off a big 2-1 win (easy under for me) against the Canes at home on Monday. I think the Avalanche are the better team here and would lean Colorado wins at home, but not enough to bet it. I do like the under 6.5 though, which I will take a half unit shot on.
Flames vs. Hurricanes (9:00)
This one at first glance isn’t all that great of a matchup, but I think it’s actually a pretty interesting game. The Canes are a good team, but they’re in a little slump with just one win in their last four games (against the Sabres). They’re in the second half of a back to back tonight, coming off a 6-1 blowout loss to the Oilers last night. The Flames have improved lately, but they’re still not a very good team. Carolina’s the much better team here and even in the second half of a back to back, I think there’s pretty good value on them tonight. I’ll take them for half a unit to bounce back from last night’s embarrassment. I like the over too, which I’ll also take for half a unit bought down to 6.
Coyotes vs. Flyers (9:00)
The Yotes are a wagon lately, coming into tonight’s game on a five game win streak. They’ve been great at home in the Mullett this year and they’re not an easy out for any team that plays them. Torts has his Flyers playing well though, especially defensively. I like Arizona to continue their hot run with another win at home and I’ll take them for half a unit. I like the under too and I’ll take a half unit shot on the alternate under 6.5 for half a unit as well.
Canucks vs. Wild (10:00)
Interesting matchup out West. The Wild are on a four game win streak since firing Dean Evason, firing on all cylinders and finding new life. The Canucks, have cooled down with four wins in their last ten games after a 6-5 loss to the Devils in the Hughes bowl on Tuesday night in a fun game. I’d lean Vancouver wins this one at home, but I feel like this is a game that you’re better off staying off.
Kraken vs. Devils (10:30)
Not a great game to close out tonight’s slate. The Devils are finally playing solid hockey again, with four wins in their last five games, coming off a big 6-5 win in the Hughes bowl in Vancouver on Tuesday night. The Kraken have been brutal this year and they’re on a five game losing streak with losses to the Habs, Sens, and Blackhawks in that span. I fully expect Jersey to win on the road tonight and I’ll take them for a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Game Bets
1.5u Bruins in regulation (-162)
1u Kings in regulation (-130)
.5u Maple Leafs ML (-125)
.5u Maple Leafs/Senators over 6.5 (-135)
1.5u Red Wings in regulation (-177)
1u Red Wings TT over 3.5 (-180)
.5u Patrick Kane over .5 points (-190)
.5u Avalanche/Jets under 6.5 (-139)
.5u Hurricanes ML (-122)
.5u Hurricanes/Flames over 6 (-124)
.5u Coyotes ML (-110)
.5u Coyotes/Flyers under 6.5 (-139)
1u Devils ML (-143)
Futures
4u Vegas Golden Knights – Stanley Cup Champions (+1000)
Record: 175-172-2 (-36.21 units)
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