After a sweep on Wednesday night, last night’s NHL slate was a disaster. I went 1-8 to lose 7.03 units. Tonight we have just three games before a loaded weekend. Let’s find a way to bounce back.
Blue Jackets vs. Sabres (7:00)
This is a terrible matchup between two bad teams in the East, and if I wasn’t a Sabres fan, not a chance I’d be watching this game. My Sabres haven’t been great this season, far under exceeding expectations going into the season. We’re coming off a 3-2 win in Montreal on Wednesday in a pretty fun, evenly played matchup. The Blue Jackets have been even worse, in last place in the Metro Division. They’re coming off a big 7-4 win in Anaheim on Wednesday. These teams have split the first two games this season in Buffalo. The first was one of the most embarrassing losses of the season for the Sabres, getting blown out 9-4 (in a game that was at one point 7-1 in the second period), and then Buffalo answering back with a 3-2 overtime win. I think the Sabres are the better team here, but no shot I’m betting this game with both teams being pretty terrible on both ends of the ice. I’d also slightly lean the over, but not enough to bet that either. I’ll lay off this game entirely.
Blackhawks vs. Jets (8:30)
Huge mismatch in the Central Division here, with these teams separated by 40 points in the standings with a huge gap in talent on both ends of the ice. Winnipeg’s been fantastic this season, comfortably in a playoff spot in the Central and playing great hockey on both ends of the ice. Coming off a 6-3 bounce back win against the Wild, they’ve won four of their last five games after a bit of slump. The Blackhawks on the other hand, coming off a 3-1 loss to the Flyers on Wednesday (easy win for me), are the worst team in the NHL, playing horribly on both ends of the ice. They have just one win in their last eleven games. The first three games between these teams have been a bit close than I had expected them to be, with the Jets being 2-0-1 in those games, winning 3-1 at home, losing 2-1 in overtime on the road, and then winning 2-1 at home. I love Winnipeg to win here again and I’ll take them in regulation for 1.5 units. I also like the under, which I’ll take for half a unit.
Oilers vs. Wild (9:00)
I think this could actually be a pretty fun game out West tonight. The Oilers have been awesome this season. They’re coming off a 6-5 overtime loss in a great game against the Bruins on Wednesday, coming back from a 4-1 deficit to force OT, but ultimately losing at home. Edmonton’s won 20 of their last 24 games, playing fantastic hockey on both ends of the ice. The Wild have struggled this season, but they’ve been playing well lately. Coming off a 6-3 loss in Winnipeg on Tuesday, they have a 5-1-1 record in their last seven games with eight wins in their last twelve games. Statistically they haven’t been good on either end of the ice. These teams split their first two games, with the Wild winning 7-4 at home in October and the Oilers answering back with a 4-3 home win in December. Edmonton’s the way better team here and I expect them to win on home ice. I’ll lay the -182 on them and take it for a unit. I also like the over here, which I’ll take for a unit as well.
Game Bets
1.5u Jets in regulation (-160)
.5u Jets/Blackhawks under 5.5 (-110)
1u Oilers ML (-182)
1u Oilers/Wild over 6.5 (-120)
Futures
4u Vegas Golden Knights – Stanley Cup Champions (+1000)
Record: 437-396-11 (-66.53 units)
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A Town's Zone 