Slight loss for me on the NHL yesterday, going 2-1 as Vegas couldn’t come through in the third period of the late game, losing me 0.64 units on the day. A game short of a two day sweep. Tonight we have a huge eleven game slate, let’s crush it!
Sabres vs. Kings (7:00)
Tonight my Sabres have a kind of interesting cross conference matchup as the LA Kings come to town. These teams just played a few weeks ago in LA prior to the All Star break with the Sabres pulling off a solid 5-3 upset, coming back from a 3-1 first period deficit. Since coming out of the All Star break, the Sabres have lost their last two games with the offense doing nothing, losing 3-1 to the Blues and 2-1 to the Stars. We’ve struggled on both ends of the ice this year, especially offensively. The Kings went into the All Star break in a huge slump, but have since won their last two games, and fired their head coach during the break. They’re coming off a really good 4-0 shutout win at home against the Oilers on Saturday. On the season, LA’s statistically played well on both ends of the ice. The Kings are the way better team than us and I fully expect them to tie the season series here on the road in Buffalo tonight. I’ll take LA for half a unit (still proceeding with a bit of caution with them after that brutal run they were on before the break). I’d slightly lean the under, but I’m not betting that.
Bruins vs. Lightning (7:00)
This should be a really fun Atlantic Division matchup between two of the top three teams in the Division. These teams split their first two games, both winning at home, a 5-4 overtime win for the Lightning and then a 7-3 win for the Bruins to answer back. Each of these teams have one win in their last three games since coming back from the All Star break, none of which I’m putting much stock into. Both have played really well offensively this season and statistically are very close on that end of the ice. The defense is far better for Boston though, and I like them to get the win at home in the Garden tonight for Brad Marchand’s 1000th game. I’ll take the B’s for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but not quite enough to bet on it.
Maple Leafs vs. Blues (7:00)
The Blues are playing solid hockey right now which actually makes this cross conference matchup pretty interesting tonight. Coming off a dominant 7-2 win in Montreal in their Sunday matinee before the Super Bowl, they’ve won seven of their last eight games to get themselves into the second Wild Card spot in the West. Statistically, they’ve been alright defensively but have struggled offensively. The Leafs are still in the first Wild Card spot in the East and have been inconsistent. They’re coming off a 5-3 loss in Ottawa on Saturday in a heated Battle of Ontario. Toronto’s been very good offensively, but they’ve had their issues on the back end. I’d lean the Leafs win at home, but not in any way do I see them worth betting on at -200. To me this should be like a -155ish line, so I’ll stay off it. I’d slightly lean the over, but not enough to bet that either, so I’ll skip this game entirely.
Canadiens vs. Ducks (7:00)
This is a terrible cross conference matchup tonight. The Habs, coming off getting the shit kicked out of them in a 7-2 loss at home to the Blues on Sunday, have struggled quite a bit lately with just two win in their last eight games. The Ducks are worse on the season, but have a 3-1-1 record in their last five games, coming off a 5-3 loss to the Oilers on Friday night. Statistically these teams match up pretty closely, with a slight edge offensively for Montreal and a slight edge (somehow) defensively for Anaheim. The first game between these teams was close with the Canadiens winning 4-3 on the road. I’d lean they win again tonight at home and would lean the over, but not enough to touch this game. I’ll lay off it completely.
Senators vs. Blue Jackets (7:00)
Another matchup between two lousy Eastern Conference teams that are both in last place in their Divisions. The Senators have been awful this season, but coming into this game, they’re on a three game win streak with a 6-1-2 record in their last nine games, coming out of the All Star break on Saturday with a huge 5-3 win in a heated Battle of Ontario at home against the Leafs. The Blue Jackets, coming off a 4-2 loss to the Lightning on Saturday in their return from the All Star break, have been brutal this season, and lately, with just five wins in their last 18 games. Both of these teams have been brutal defensively this season, two of the worst in the NHL. Columbus won the first game between these teams 4-2 at home on December 1st, and with the far better offense, I like the Sens to answer back here, but at over -190, I don’t think they’re worth laying that price on, nor limiting myself to regulation only. I do like the over though, and I’ll take the alternate 6.5 here for half a unit.
Capitals vs. Avalanche (7:00)
Not the best matchup in this cross conference game. Both of these teams have struggled recently but this is still a huge mismatch. The Capitals are coming off a 3-2 overtime loss on Sunday afternoon (winner for me) against the Canucks after they shut out the Bruins 3-0 on the road on Saturday, but they’ve been terrible lately with just one win in their last eight games to drop a bit back on the Wild Card race in the East. Their defense has been pretty good this season but their offense is HORRENDOUS, one of the worst in the league, only behind the Sharks. The Avalanche are two points back from the Stars for first in the Central Division and playing great hockey this season, but they come into tonight’s game on a slump since returning from the All Star break. Coming off a 4-0 shutout loss in Florida on Saturday, they’re now on a four game losing streak (three of those against good playoff teams) on the road. Their offense has been fantastic this season, but they’ve been a bit inconsistent defensively. The Avalanche won the first game between these teams easily 6-2 a home a few weeks ago before the All Star break. I like Colorado to get right here and I’ll lay the -192 and take them for a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Islanders vs. Kraken (7:30)
This is a quite boring matchup to me that I think could be a competitive game. The first game between these games was, with a shootout needed to determine the winner, with Seattle getting the 4-3 win at home on November 16th. After two big wins to come out of the All Star break against the Leafs and Lightning, they’re coming off a 5-2 loss at home to the Flames, and they have just three wins in their last eleven games. The Kraken are in the second half of a back to back tonight after their 3-1 loss in Jersey last night, and have struggled big time lately with just two wins in their last ten games. Both of these teams have been awful offensively, especially the Kraken. The defense for Seattle has been very good this season, but this is a tough matchup to bet anything on, so I’ll lay off it completely.
Predators vs. Devils (8:00)
Another cross conference game that isn’t great here. The Devils are in the second half of a back to back tonight, coming off a 3-1 win against the Kraken at home last night. They’ve struggled with a ton of injuries, but they’re still in the Wild Card mix in the East, despite having just five wins in their last 14 games. Jersey’s offense has been good but their defense has been quite bad. The Preds are in the Wild Card mix in the West, two points back from the Blues. They’re coming off a 5-4 overtime win at home against the Coyotes to come out of the All Star break that ended their three game losing streak. Statistically they haven’t been great on either end of the ice. I feel like this is pretty much a toss up of a game. If the Devils weren’t in the second half of a back to back on the road I’d probably bet them, but I don’t see any value on this game. I’d slightly lean the over but don’t see that worth betting on either. Another game I’ll completely stay off.
Stars vs. Hurricanes (8:00)
Fantastic cross conference matchup here between two very good playoff teams. Both of these teams have been playing fantastic hockey on both ends of the ice and keep winning recently, setting up what should be a great game. The Stars lead the Central Division, two points ahead of the Avs, and come into tonight’s game with just one loss in their last six games, with a 10-3-1 record in their last 14 games. The Hurricanes are in second in the Metro, and coming off a 1-0 overtime win in a double shutout at home against the Devils on Saturday, they have a 13-3-1 record in their last 17 games. The Stars have an edge offensively, while the Hurricanes have an edge defensively. I’d give a slight lean towards the Stars at home and the under but there’s zero value in betting on this matchup. I’ll lay off it completely.
Blackhawks vs. Canucks (8:30)
Gigantic mismatch out West in this game and although its the worst game on the slate, it’s easily my favorite from a betting perspective. With the Blackhawks having been passed by the Sharks, this game is the best game in the NHL vs. the worst, separated by an astounding 45 points. Chicago’s horrendous on both ends of the ice, and coming off completely fucking me by forcing OT against the Rangers on Friday night, ultimately taking their sixth straight loss. The Canucks on the other hand are the best team in the league, playing great hockey on both ends of the ice. Vancouver’s won both previous matchups between these teams this season with a 4-3 win in Chicago and a 2-0 shutout win at home. I fully expect them to complete the season sweep here. The moneyline at -270 is way too expensive, but I’ll take them in regulation for 1.5 units. I’d slightly lean the under, but not enough to bet it at 5.5.
Oilers vs. Red Wings (9:00)
Pretty fun cross conference game to close out the night. The Oilers, after going on a record breaking 16 game win streak, have since lost two of their last three games, coming off a 4-0 shutout loss in LA on Saturday night after their win streak ended with their loss to the Golden Knights to come out of the All Star break. Edmonton’s been fantastic this year after their slow start to the season, with a spectacular offense and a much improved defense. The Red Wings have been a solid team too, currently tied with Toronto for the two Wild Card spots in the East. They’re playing solid hockey right now with a 10-2-2 record in their last 14 games, a four game point streak, coming off a 4-3 win at home against the Canucks in overtime on Saturday to come out of the All Star break. Detroit’s offense has been very good this season, but they’ve struggled defensively at times. The first game between these teams in Detroit this season needed OT, with the Oilers winning 3-2 on the road last month. I’d lean the Oilers and the over in this game, but with the price on Edmonton at a steep -215, and the success the Red Wings have had lately against good teams, I don’t think this is a game worth betting on. I’ll end my night early and stay off this one.
Game Bets
.5u Kings ML (-146)
.5u Bruins ML (-154)
.5u Senators/Blue Jackets over 6.5 (-150)
1u Avalanche ML (-192)
1.5u Canucks in regulation (-165)
Futures
4u Vegas Golden Knights – Stanley Cup Champions (+1000)
Record: 404-360-10 (-59.94 units)
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