Slight losing night for me on the NHL yesterday, going 3-3 to lose 1.1 units. Tonight we have another big nine game slate as this loaded week continues. Let’s get some wins here!
Canadiens vs. Islanders (7:00)
Not the best game to start off tonight’s slate. Both of these teams have played pretty terrible lately. Although the Isles just have one win in their last six games, they have new life in the Patrick Roy era, as they’re 1-1 since they shocked the hockey world with that hire, coming off a 3-2 loss against the Knights on Tuesday. Montreal’s been pretty brutal lately, but they did win the first matchup between these teams this season 5-3 at home in December. I like the Isles to answer back with a win here, especially with Habs’ legend Patrick Roy behind the bench. I’ll take the Islanders for a unit. I’d lean the over but not enough to bet it.
Senators vs. Bruins (7:00)
Huge mismatch here in the Atlantic Division between the best team and the worst team in the East. The Bruins, even in the second half of a back to back, coming off a 3-2 loss at home to the Canes last night to end their five game win streak are the FAR superior team here. Ottawa has played a bit better lately with three wins in their last four games, but I love Boston here. They should trounce the Senators and get an easy win tonight on the road to bounce back from last night’s loss. I’ll take the B’s for a much cheaper price than expected for 1.5 units, with half a unit on the puck line, along with another unit on their team total over 3.
Red Wings vs. Flyers (7:00)
Really solid Eastern Conference matchup here. These teams are both in playoff spots in the East as the Flyers are in third place in the Metro and the Red Wings hold the second Wild Card spot. They split their first two games, both decided by a goal for the home team with a 1-0 shutout win for the Flyers and then a 7-6 shootout win for the Red Wings. The Flyers, who just lost goalie Carter Hart due to the Team Canada shit (NOT good), are on a pretty lousy three game losing streak. The Red Wings are the much better offensive team, but the Flyers have been much better defensively. I like Detroit to win this one at home and I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Lightning vs. Coyotes (7:00)
This isn’t as bad of a matchup as it looks like on paper. The Lightning, coming off a 6-3 win in Philly on Tuesday have played really well lately, in the first Wild Card spot in the East as they’ve won six of their last seven games. The Coyotes haven’t been terrible, but they’re not a great team. They’re in the second half of a back to back tonight, coming off a 6-2 blowout loss to the Panthers on the road last night. Arizona won the first game between these teams 3-1 at home earlier this season. I like the Lightning to answer back, especially with the Yotes in the second half of a back to back, and win this game at home tonight. I’ll take them in regulation for 1.5 units. I’d lean the over, but again, not enough to think it’s worth betting.
Hurricanes vs. Devils (7:30)
Pretty solid matchup here in the Metro Division. The Hurricanes have been fantastic, in second place in the Division. Last night they beat the Bruins 3-2 on the road in the Garden, blowing a 2-0 lead early in the third period but getting the win with a late goal from Jordan Martinook. The Devils, who are coming off a 6-5 overtime win against the Golden Knights on Monday, have dealt with a ton of injuries and have struggled lately. I’d lean the Canes win this game at home tonight, but on the second half of a back to back, I’ll just stay off it. I’d slightly lean the over, but the best play on this game to me is none at all. I’ll skip this one completely.
Stars vs. Ducks (8:00)
Awful Western Conference matchup here. Huge mismatch as the Stars have been fantastic and the Ducks are one of the worst teams in the NHL. Dallas is comfortably in third place in the Central, coming off a 5-4 win in Detroit on Tuesday, with a 6-2-1 record in their last nine games. The Ducks have been horrible on both ends of the ice. They’re coming off a 4-2 win against my Sabres on Tuesday, but have just seven wins in their last 32 games. The first game between these teams this season was closer than I expected in Anaheim, with the Stars winning 3-2. Dallas should win this game very easily at home, but the books think so too, with the price on this matchup at -300. I’ll take the Stars in regulation for 1.5 units.
Wild vs. Predators (8:00)
Interesting matchup in the Central. The Wild have had a lousy season, but they’re actually playing pretty solid hockey lately, with four wins in their last five games, coming off a 5-3 win against the Caps on Tuesday night. The Predators have been pretty good, in the second Wild Card spot in the West, but they have struggled a little lately. The first matchup between these teams was a blowout, with the Wild winning 6-1 on the road in Smashville. I’d lean the Preds answer back with a win and I’d slightly lean the over, but the right move on this game is just staying off it completely.
Flames vs. Blue Jackets (9:00)
What a shitty cross conference matchup. Although the Flames come into tonight on a three game losing streak after a 4-3 loss to the Blues on Tuesday, they’ve played decent hockey as of late, getting themselves into the Wild Card mix in the West. The Blue Jackets have really struggled all season, easily the worst team in the Metro Division. Coming off a 4-1 loss in Edmonton on Tuesday, they have only one win in their last six games. Columbus did win the matchup between these teams 3-1 at home back in October. I like the Flames to win this one at home and I’ll take them in regulation for half a unit. I’d slightly lean the under, but there’s no edge in betting the total to me here.
Oilers vs. Blackhawks (9:00)
Gigantic mismatch here. The Oilers are on a record breaking run with the longest win streak for a Canadian team in NHL history, with 14 straight wins after their 4-1 win against the Blue Jackets on Tuesday night. The Blackhawks are one of the worst teams in the NHL, playing horribly on both ends of the ice. Edmonton already won the first two games between these teams, 4-1 at home and then 2-1 on the road. I fully expect them to complete the season sweep and extend their win streak. The prices on this game are nuts, with the moneyline coming in at an astounding -525, which I think is the most expensive we’ve seen a game this year. Shopping it though, I was able to find the puck line at -185 at -1.5 on BetRivers, which I think has nice value, and I’ll take for two units. I’d lean the under, but I’ll just stick with the Oil here.
Game Bets
1u Islanders ML (-139)
1.5u Bruins ML (-130)
.5u Bruins -1.5 (+180)
1u Bruins TT over 3 (-148)
.5u Red Wings ML (-125)
1.5u Lightning in regulation (-125)
1.5u Stars in regulation (-185)
.5u Flames in regulation (-120)
2u Oilers -1.5 (-185)
Futures
4u Vegas Golden Knights – Stanley Cup Champions (+1000)
Record: 358-324-8 (-56.4 units)
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A Town's Zone 