Last Wednesday going into the All Star break, I got reverse swept, going 0-4 to lose 4.27 units. Awful first half of the year for me on the NHL, but I’m always really good in the second half of the year. Tonight we return from the MUCH needed All Star Break with just two games on the slate before a big slate tomorrow. Let’s start the second half hot!
Maple Leafs vs. Islanders (7:00)
The Leafs hosted All Star Weekend, so they had to get the first home game back from it, with the struggling Islanders heading up to the Six. The Leafs, who have looked broken at times this season, especially defensively, went into the All Star break on a hot little run, with a three game win streak and four wins in their last five games. Toronto’s been good offensively but their defense has been streaky this year, looking great at times and horrendous other times. The Islanders have fallen off quite a bit. They’ve dropped a bit outside of the Wild Card in the East, and have just one win in their last eight games. They haven’t been great on either end of the ice, especially offensively. Both previous games between these teams on Long Island needed OT, with the Isles winning both of them 4-3. I expect Toronto to avoid the season sweep and I’ll take the Maple Leafs for a unit (locked in Saturday). I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Rangers vs. Avalanche (7:00)
Great cross conference matchup to come out of All Star break tonight with two fantastic teams here, who each lead their division. The Rangers lead the Metro Division, two points ahead of the Hurricanes but went into the All Star break in a pretty big slump. Coming off a 7-2 win in Ottawa, they have just four wins in their last twelve games. Hart favorite MacKinnon and his Avalanche are on fire right now, leading the Central. They went into the All Star break on a dominant three game win streak, scoring an average of six goals in those games, with a 13-3-1 record in their last 17 games. Both of these teams have played really well statistically on both ends of the ice, with an edge offensively to the Avs and defensively to the Rags. I like Colorado to get the win here on the road and I’ll take them for half a unit at even money. I like the over too, which I’ll take at the alt line of 6 for half a unit as well.
Game Bets
1u Maple Leafs ML (-175)
.5u Avalanche ML (+100)
.5u Rangers/Avalanche over 6 (-136)
Futures
4u Vegas Golden Knights – Stanley Cup Champions (+1000)
Record: 380-342-10 (-57.52 units)
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A Town's Zone 