Had my second winning day in a row on the NHL yesterday, going 7-5-1 to win 0.39 units. We’ll take it. Today we have a nine game slate. Let’s make it three in a row and crush the board!
Jets vs. Wild (2:00)
Interesting Central Division matchup with the day game to get us started. The Jets have been fantastic this season, a huge surprise going into the year. They’re coming into today’s game on a six game point streak with an 8-1-2 record in their last eleven games and have been playing really well on both ends of the ice. They shocked me on Wednesday, losing 2-1 in Chicago. The Wild have been playing really well lately too after their brutal start to the season. After a 6-3 win against the Red Wings on Wednesday, they’re on a four game win streak with seven wins in their last eight games (and eleven in their last 14). I do still think the Jets are the more talented team here and I expect them to end the Minnesota win streak with a bounce back win of their own at home. I’ll take Winnipeg for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet on it.
Sabres vs. Blue Jackets (5:00)
The last time these teams played was just on December 19th and was the biggest embarrassment the Sabres have had all season, getting blown out in a pathetic 9-4 game that gave me my biggest meltdown I’ve had from this team all year. Both of these teams stink. The Sabres got dominated on special teams on Wednesday, losing 4-1 to the Bruins in a game they went 0-6 on the power play and gave up three goals on the PK. We have just one win in our last five games and it’s looking pretty bleak for this team this season. The Blue Jackets, who are coming off a 6-5 overtime win against the Leafs last night, ended their three game losing streak but they’ve been brutal this season as well. I’d lean my Sabres win this game at home tonight to answer back from that blowout loss last month, but this team should never be over -200. I’ll stay off the side here and even though I think Buffalo wins, I think there’s decent value on the Jackets at +175. I do like the over enough to bet it though, with pretty poor defense for both teams. I’ll take the over 6.5, laying the juice on it for half a unit.
Bruins vs. Devils (7:00)
Decent matchup here in the East to get the 7:00 games started. These teams are both coming off dominant wins in their last game. The Bruins ended their four game losing streak on Wednesday with a 4-1 win in Buffalo while last night the Devils put on a show in Ottawa with a 6-2 win over the Sens, extending their win streak to three in a row. The first game between these teams this season needed overtime, with the Devils winning 2-1 at home on December 13th. Although Jersey has the better offense in this matchup, the B’s have a huge edge defensively. Especially with the Devils in the second half of a back to back, I like the Bruins to win this one at home and I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d lean the under, but absolutely not enough to bet it.
Maple Leafs vs. Hurricanes (7:00)
This Eastern Conference game should be fun. The Hurricanes are playing better lately after their bit of a disappointing start to the season, now in a Wild Card spot in the East and just a point behind the Flyers and Isles for second in the Metro. Coming off a 5-3 win at home against the Habs on Thursday they’ve now picked up at least a point (with a 5-1-3 record) in all but one of their last nine games. The Leafs have been a very disappointing team lately (I love it). Last night they blew multiple leads to lose 6-5 in overtime to the Blue Jackets and they’ve only picked up one win in their last five games. I do think Toronto’s the better team here and statically these teams haven’t been too far off, but with the Leafs on the second half of a back to back, and both of these teams being so inconsistent, I’ll stay off the side of this one entirely. I do like the over though, expecting both teams to light the lamp. I’ll take the alternate over 6 for a unit.
Lightning vs. Rangers (7:00)
This game should be pretty fun tonight. Both of these teams are coming off losses to the Panthers in their last game. The Lightning had their three game win streak going into the Christmas break come to an end on Wednesday, losing 3-2 to the Panthers in the Battle of Florida. Tampa’s been a solid team this year, currently just on the outside looking in to a playoff spot. The Rangers still lead the East and have been fantastic this season on both ends of the ice. They’re in the second half of a back to back after a 4-3 loss in Sunrise last night in a hell of a game. I’d lean the Rangers get the job done tonight, even in the second half of a back to back, but not quite enough to bet them on the road here. I’d lean the under, but not enough to bet that either, so I’ll lay off this game completely. Should be the best matchup on the slate tonight.
Panthers vs. Canadiens (7:00)
This Atlantic Division matchup isn’t great with these teams on opposite ends of the standings (although there’s less than ten points separating them). In the first game between these teams in Montreal this year, Florida won in a blowout, winning 5-1 on the road. The Panthers have been a very good team this season, especially dominant defensively. Last night they beat the Rangers 4-3 in a great game to extend their win streak to three in a row. The Habs haven’t been great this season, struggling on both ends of the ice. They’ve played decent lately though. A 5-3 loss in Carolina on Thursday ended their five game point streak. Even in the second half of a back to back, I like Florida to win tonight and I’ll take them in regulation for half a unit.
Penguins vs. Blues (7:00)
This isn’t the best cross conference matchup but I’d expect it to be a pretty fun game. These teams match up well and have been similar this season, half decent teams that probably both miss the playoffs. The Penguins are coming off a 7-0 blowout, shutout win against the Isles on Long Island on Wednesday and they’ve picked up at least a point in six of their last seven games. The Blues are playing their best hockey right now. Although they’re coming off a 2-1 loss to the Avs last night (winner for me), they’ve won five of their last seven games. In the first game between these teams in St. Louis, the Blues won 4-2 at home back in October. Pittsburgh’s the better team defensively and I think that gives them the edge to win this one at home, especially with the Blues in the second half of a back to back, but not enough for me to bet on it. I’d lean the over as well, but not enough to bet that either, with neither team playing great offensively on the year. I’ll stay off this game completely.
Capitals vs. Predators (7:00)
This should be a grind of a game tonight as both of these cross conference teams look to end three game losing streaks and they’re both in the second half of back to backs. In the first game between these teams a couple weeks ago, the Preds won 3-1 at home. The Caps are on a three game losing streak, coming off 5-1 losses on the road to both New York teams. Those losses ended a run for them picking up at least a point in eight of their previous nine games. The Predators have been a good surprise this year, right in the Wild Card mix, but after being one of the hottest teams in the league, they’ve since only gotten one win in their last five games. I’d lean the Capitals win this one at home tonight, especially with Juuse Saros, who started last night against the Red Wings likely getting the night off in goal for the Preds. I don’t like it enough to bet though and I’ll stay off the side. I’d also lean the under, but for the same reason of both teams in the second half of back to backs, I’ll skip it and lay off this matchup completely.
Kings vs. Oilers (10:00)
This should be a really fun Pacific Division matchup to close out the night, the only late game on the slate. The Kings have been very good this season on both ends of the ice. The Oilers have struggled defensively, but McDavid and their offense have been awesome this season. They’re on a three game win streak after a 5-0 blowout win in San Jose. LA’s the more well rounded and better team in this matchup, with a huge edge defensively. I expect them to win tonight at home to bounce back from their 3-2 loss in Vegas on Thursday, and I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d lean the over, leaning that this will end up being a shoot out, but I’ll skip that and just stick with the side.
Game Bets
.5u Jets ML (-135)
.5u Sabres/Blue Jackets over 6.5 (-144)
.5u Bruins ML (-157)
1u Maple Leafs/Hurricanes over 6 (-137)
.5u Panthers in regulation (-150)
.5u Kings ML (-120)
Futures
4u Vegas Golden Knights – Stanley Cup Champions (+1000)
Record: 256-244-6 (-54.6 units)
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