Solid night of hockey for me yesterday, going 5-2 on the NHL to win 1.54 units. Solid bounce back day. Tonight we start the weekend early with a huge nine game slate for a Friday night. Let’s get another winning night!
Senators vs. Devils (7:00)
Not the best game here. The Sens have been awful, but went into the Christmas break with a 5-4 overtime win against the Penguins and came out of it on Wednesday with another win, beating the Leafs 4-2 in the Battle of Ontario. The Devils have had their struggles but have wins in their last two games, coming back from the break with a 4-3 overtime win over the Blue Jackets. I was a bit shocked to see how close these teams actually match up statistically which makes the line being pretty close to a pick em. I still think the Devils are the way better team here and I’ll take Jersey on the road for half a unit. I really like the over here that even at 7 (kind of insane that going to 6.5 is like -170), I’ll take for a unit.
Red Wings vs. Predators (7:00)
Really fun cross conference matchup in Detroit. Both of these teams are in little slumps while having decent years so far. The Red Wings came out of the break with a 6-3 loss in Minnesota on Wednesday and have only one win in their last seven games. The Preds came back with a 5-2 loss in Carolina and after their hot run ended, they just have one win in their last four games. Statistically the Red Wings are better offensively and the Preds are better defensively. I think this game’s entirely a coin flip that goes to the team that dictates style of play. I’ll stay off this one.
Panthers vs. Rangers (7:00)
Really interesting matchup between two teams in playoff spots in the East. Both have been really good this season and came out of the break with wins, the Rangers dominating the Caps 5-1 and the Panthers winning 3-2 in Tampa in the Battle of Florida. The Rags have an offensive edge here and I think we’re getting awesome value on them as a dog on the road, which I’ll take for half a unit. Both of these teams have been elite defensively and I really like the under in this game, which I’ll take at 6.5 for a unit.
Blue Jackets vs. Maple Leafs (7:00)
Lousy matchup. The Blue Jackets blow and coming out of the Christmas break they kept it close in Jersey, ultimately losing 4-3 to the Devils in overtime. They have just three wins in their last eleven games. The Leafs lost the Battle of Ontario 4-2 at home against the lowly Sens. These teams just played in Columbus last Saturday going into Christmas, with the Leafs winning 4-1 (their only win in their last four games) to bounce back from their 6-5 overtime loss earlier this season. Both of these teams have been bad defensively, but Toronto’s the far better team here, especially offensively and I expect them to win again tonight on the road. I’ll take the Leafs in regulation and their team total over 3.5 for half a unit each. I like the over on the game as well, which I’ll take at 6.5 for half a unit.
Islanders vs. Capitals (7:30)
Interesting matchup in the Metro tonight. This will be the fourth and final matchup of the regular season between these teams, with the Caps leading the season series 2-1, most recently with a 3-2 win in overtime on December 20th. The first two games were three goal wins on the road with the Isles winning a 3-0 shutout in DC and the Caps answering with a 4-1 win on Long Island. Both of these teams have played well this season and have over exceeding my expectations. I’d slightly lean the Islanders win this game at home but not enough to bet it. I do like the under here though, which I’ll take at the alt line of 6 for half a unit.
Blues vs. Avalanche (8:00)
This Central Division matchup isn’t great, but this could end up being a pretty entertaining game. The Avs have won five of their last eight games but are coming off a complete collapse in Arizona on Wednesday night out of the break, blowing a 4-0 lead in the second period, giving up five unanswered goals to lose in overtime. They’re a tough team to figure out. The Blues are tough to figure out too. Statistically they haven’t been great, but they’re above .500 and are on a hot run with five wins in their last six games, having come out of the break with a surprising 2-1 win over the Stars on Wednesday. These teams split their first two games convincingly in Colorado, with the Avs winning 4-1 in the first matchup and then the Blues answering back with an 8-2 blowout win on the road. Colorado’s the better team here and I’ll take the Avalanche for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Stars vs. Blackhawks (8:00)
This matchup blows in the Central. Both of these teams shocked me on Wednesday in their returns out of the Christmas break and this is easily the biggest mismatch on the board tonight. The Stars have been a very good team this season, but had a six game point streak and a three game win streak come to an end with a surprising 2-1 loss in St. Louis on Wednesday. The Blackhawks have been awful this season but with Connor Bedard’s game winner in overtime, they pulled off a hell of an upset on Wednesday night, taking down the Jets. I fully expect the Stars to win this game with ease tonight. The moneyline and regulation line are too expensive, but I’ll take the Dallas puck line for half a unit.
Ducks vs. Coyotes (10:00)
This game’s interesting while not being a great matchup. The Ducks have been terrible, but pulled off a hell of an upset, beating the Golden Knights 5-2 on Wednesday coming out of the Christmas break, and they’ve won three of their last five games. The Yotes are a wagon, and with a winning record on the season and they’ve won five of their last six games. They came all the way back against Colorado on Wednesday, erasing a 4-0 deficit with about five minutes left in the second period, winning 5-4 in overtime. These teams split their first two games, each a one goal win, with the Yotes winning 2-1 at home and then the Ducks answering with a 4-3 OT win at home. Arizona’s the better team here and I like them to win on the road. I’ll take them for half a unit.
Kraken vs. Flyers (10:00)
Not the most interesting cross conference matchup to finish the slate tonight. The Kraken have sucked this year but they’ve played their best hockey as of late. Coming off a 2-1 win in Calgary on Wednesday, they’re on a three game win streak and a seven game point streak with five wins in that span. The Flyers have been the biggest shock of the year and Torts has his defense playing great hockey to lead them to be currently sitting in a playoff spot, in second place in the Metro. They’re on the second half of a back to back tonight, coming off a 4-1 win in Vancouver last night. I like them to win again tonight to end the Seattle win streak and I’ll take them at awesome value as a dog for half a unit. I like the under as well and I’ll take the alternate under 6 for half a unit.
Game Bets
.5u Devils ML (-115)
1u Devils/Senators over 7 (+100)
.5u Rangers ML (+120)
1u Panthers/Rangers under 6.5 (-128)
.5u Maple Leafs in regulation (-125)
.5u Maple Leafs TT over 3.5 (-165)
.5u Maple Leafs/Blue Jackets over 6.5 (-150)
.5u Islanders/Capitals under 6 (-130)
.5u Avalanche ML (-167)
.5u Stars -1.5 (-142)
.5u Coyotes ML (-130)
.5u Flyers ML (+116)
.5u Kraken/Flyers under 6 (-115)
Futures
4u Vegas Golden Knights – Stanley Cup Champions (+1000)
Record: 249-239-5 (-54.99 units)
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