The Rangers came up big for me last night in the third period, but still a bit of a losing night for me on the NHL yesterday, going 2-4 to lose 1.29 units. Let’s bounce back on tonight’s six game slate and keep this solid past week going!
Bruins vs. Jets (7:00)
Great cross conference matchup to get tonight started between two of the top three teams in the NHL this season. Both of these teams have been fantastic this season. The Bruins lead the Eastern Conference, coming into tonight’s game on a four game win streak, having picked up at least a point in twelve of their last 13 games. They’re coming off a huge 9-4 blowout win over the Habs at home on Saturday night. The Jets got me a huge win on Saturday as well on Nikolaj Ehler’s overtime game winner on a sick goal to beat the Sens. They lead the Central Division, having won ten of their last eleven games, picking up at least a point in 16 of their last 17. Both of these teams have played really well on both ends of the ice this year. The Jets have a slight edge defensively while the Bruins have the slight edge offensively. Winnipeg won the first game between these teams pretty easily at home a month ago, with a 5-1 win. I’d lean Boston answers back with a win at home tonight and I’d slightly lean the under, but not enough to bet it, so I’ll stay off this game entirely.
Devils vs. Golden Knights (7:00)
Another pretty good cross conference matchup tonight. The Devils, dealing with a ton of injuries to key players have been struggling lately. Coming off a 6-2 loss at home to the Stars on Saturday (easy winner for me), they have just two wins in their last seven events. Jersey’s still right in the Wild Card mix in the East, playing good offense on the season but struggling defensively. The Golden Knights after being in a bit of a slump have played much better recently, coming into tonight’s game on a three game win streak, with four wins in their last five games. The Cup Champs are comfortably in second in the Pacific, playing really great hockey on both ends of the ice. I like the Knights to win here on the road and I’ll take them for half a unit as a dog. I’d lean the under, but not enough to bet it.
Predators vs. Panthers (8:00)
This should be a pretty solid matchup tonight with these cross conference teams having a bit of a gap in talent, but they’re coming in on a bit different of trajectories. The Preds have been pretty solid this season, with a four point lead over the Coyotes for the second Wild Card spot in the West. They’re coming off a 3-2 loss in Arizona on Saturday (one of the few losses for me), but have six wins in their last ten games. They’ve played relatively well on both ends of the ice. The Panthers have been fantastic this season, in second place in the Atlantic, but they’re on a four game losing streak. They killed me in their last game on Friday, losing 6-4 at home to the Wild. Even with the four game losing streak, they come into tonight’s game with a 9-2-2 record in their last 13 games. The defending Eastern Conference champions have been playing great on both ends of the ice. I like Florida to get out of this slump on the road tonight and I’ll take them for a unit. I’d slight lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Coyotes vs. Penguins (9:00)
Not the most interesting cross conference game here. The Coyotes are in the Wild Card race in the West, having a pretty good season, but not playing their best hockey as of late. They’re coming off a 3-2 win at home against the Preds on Saturday, but have just three wins in their last ten games. Statistically they’ve been pretty much middle of the road on both ends of the ice. In the tight Wild Card race in the East, the Pens are right in the mix, just a couple points back from the Isles and Caps. Despite having just one win in their last four games after a 3-2 loss in Vegas on Saturday night, they’ve played pretty well lately with a 10-4-3 record in their last 17 games. They’ve been really solid on the back end and have been decent enough offensively. Pittsburgh won the first matchup between these teams 4-2 at home in December. I like them to win this one again on the road and I’ll take them for half a unit. I also like the under, which I’ll take at 6.5 for half a unit as well.
Canucks vs. Blackhawks (10:00)
Gigantic mismatch in the West to get into the late games. The Canucks lead the NHL this season, playing incredible hockey on both ends of the ice. Coming off a 6-4 win at home against the Leafs (nice double winner for me on Saturday), they’ve won seven of their last eight games, picking up at least a point in 18 of their last 20 games. The Blackhawks on the other hand have been brutal, one of the three worst teams in the league. They’re coming off a 4-3 overtime win over the Islanders on Friday night, their second win in their last three games, but that win over the Isles was just their fifth win in their last twenty games. Especially without Bedard in the lineup, they’re horrible on both ends of the ice. Chicago actually kept the first game between these teams close at home, with the Canucks winning 4-3. This should be an easy blowout win for Vancouver, but this is a pretty expensive matchup across the board. I’ll parlay the Canucks in regulation with the Kings in regulation against San Jose for two units along with a unit on the Canucks puck line on it’s own. I’d lean the under but not enough to bet it.
Kings vs. Sharks (10:30)
Another huge mismatch out in the Pacific between these two California teams. The Kings have been very good on the season, playing solid hockey on both ends of the ice but they come into tonight’s game on a pretty big slump. They’re coming off a big 2-1 win at home against the Kings in Jonathan Quick’s return on Saturday night, just their second win in their last twelve games, dropping to a Wild Card spot, a point back from the Oilers. The Sharks have two wins in their last five games, coming off a 5-3 win against the Ducks on Saturday, just their second win in their last 17 games. San Jose’s still easily the worst team in the NHL, horrendous on both ends of the ice. LA easily won both previous games between these teams, winning 4-1 on the road and then 5-1 at home, both in December. I expect another easy win here. Along with my parlay on them with the Canucks, I’ll take the puck line for a unit. I’d lean the under but not enough to bet it.
Game Bets
.5u Golden Knights ML (+104)
1u Panthers ML (-125)
.5u Penguins ML (-155)
.5u Penguins/Coyotes under 6.5 (-134)
2u parlay: Canucks in regulation/Kings in regulation (+106)
1u Canucks -1.5 (-162)
1u Kings -1.5 (-143)
Futures
4u Vegas Golden Knights – Stanley Cup Champions (+1000)
Record: 352-310-8 (-45.84 units)
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