I took last night’s three game NHL slate off, but my leans were pretty good, which is a nice sign. Tonight we have a huge twelve game slate. There’s a few spots I like, let’s get some wins!
Bruins vs. Maple Leafs (7:00)
This should be a fun Atlantic Division game between the second and third teams in the division. This will be the last game of the regular season between them, with the Bruins looking to sweep the season series, and could be another preview of the first round of the playoffs. The first two games needed overtime, with the B’s winning 3-2 in a shootout at home, 4-3 in overtime on the road, and then the 4-1 on the road just this past Monday. Last night the Leafs bounced back from that loss with a 2-1 overtime win in a grind of a game at home against my Sabres. The Bruins are coming off a 2-1 overtime loss to the Oilers at home on Tuesday, and haven’t played all that well recently. Boston has a defensive edge in this matchup, with the Leafs having a defensive edge. Even in the second half of a back to back on the road, I’d slightly lean Toronto avoids the season sweep with a win here, but no way I’m betting it. I’d slightly lean the under as well, but don’t really see an edge on it.
Lightning vs. Flames (7:00)
Interesting cross conference matchup here as both of these teams have played really well lately. The Lightning, coming off a 4-3 shootout win on Saturday against the Habs are comfortably in the Wild Card in the East and although their defense has been inconsistent, their offense has been very good this season. The Flames haven’t been all that great on either end of the ice, and just had a five game win streak come to an end on Monday with a 4-2 loss at home to the Kraken. Calgary lost one of their best defenseman last night, trading Noah Hanifan to the Golden Knights. The Flames won the first game between these teams 4-2 at home, and I’d lean the Bolts answer back tonight with a win at home. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it, so I’ll stay off this game entirely.
Panthers vs. Flyers (7:00)
This matchup isn’t great although it is between two playoff teams. The Panthers lead the NHL and are playing fantastic hockey. They made a big move this week, bringing in Vladdy Tarasenko from the Sens. Coming off a 5-3 win in Jersey on Tuesday they’re on a six game win streak with just two losses in their last 18 games (one in their last 13), with one of those losses coming at home in the first game they played against the Flyers, losing 2-1. The Flyers are still holding onto their third place spot in the Metro. They’ve played well defensively this season but their offense isn’t great. I like the Panthers to win this one at home and I’ll take them in regulation for half a unit. I also like the under, expecting this game to be a defensive battle, and I’ll take the alternate under 6 for half a unit as well.
Devils vs. Blues (7:00)
This is a pretty lousy matchup. Both of these teams have struggled. The Devils are on a three game losing streak, coming off a 5-3 loss at home to the Panthers in the first game on Monday after they fired Lindy. The Blues haven’t been great lately either, coming off a 4-2 loss on Long Island on Tuesday. In the first game between these teams, the Blues won 4-1 at home. I’d lean Jersey answers back with a win at home tonight, but I don’t see any value on betting it at -175, way too expensive. I feel like the total is a complete toss up, so I’ll lay off this game completely.
Penguins vs. Capitals (7:00)
This Metro Division rivalry’s been one of the best in the NHL since Ovi and Sid came into the league, but neither of these teams have been good this season. They’re just a point apart in the standings, and they’re both going to miss the playoffs this year. the offenses for both of these teams have been pretty bad, with the defenses being better than league average, especially the Pens. These teams plus their first two games, each winning on the road, a 4-0 Pittsburgh shutout win and a 4-3 Washington win. I’d lean the Penguins win this one at home and would lean the under, but I don’t think either’s worth betting. I’ll stay off this game.
Hurricanes vs. Canadiens (7:00)
Huge mismatch for this Eastern Conference matchup. Although the Habs have picked up at least a point in each of their last four games and are hanging around in games lately, the Canes are the far better team in this matchup. They won the first game between them 5-3 at home and I expect another similar result for them to bounce back from their 5-3 loss at home to the Jets on Saturday. I’ll take them in regulation for half a unit. I’d lean the over here very slightly, but not enough to bet it.
Blue Jackets vs. Oilers (7:00)
This is a huge mismatch between these cross conference teams. The Oilers are the way better team in this matchup and they’re playing incredible hockey lately, on a five game win streak after their 2-1 overtime win in Boston on Tuesday. Columbus blows, and lost the first game between these teams 4-1. I expect another easy win for Edmonton here and I’ll take them in regulation for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but I’m not betting it.
Predators vs. Sabres (8:00)
I expect this to be a pretty fun game in Smashville for my Sabres tonight as these teams have both played well lately, but both come into tonight’s game off losses. The Sabres continued their pretty solid play recently last night, but fell short in overtime, losing 2-1 in Toronto. The Preds are playing great hockey, on a nine game point streak, coming off a 4-3 overtime loss at home to the Habs on Tuesday to end an eight game win streak. I expect this to be a pretty close game, but with the Predators having won the first game 2-1 on the road in Buffalo. With the Sabres in the second half of a back to back, I’d lean the Preds win at home tonight, and it’s likely a good bet, but I don’t love it enough (and I considered it quite a bit) to bet it. I’d also slightly lean the under, but I’ll stay off this game completely. Let’s Go Buffalo!
Coyotes vs. Wild (8:00)
This is a pretty boring matchup with neither of these teams playing great hockey. The Coyotes have been awful, with just two wins in their last 17 games. After getting two wins against the Sens and Caps, they lost 5-2 at home to the Blackhawks, the worst team in the NHL. The Wild haven’t been great lately, but are a much better team. These teams split their first two matchups, with a 6-0 Coyotes win on the road in January and Minnesota answering back with 3-1 win in Arizona in February. I like Minnesota to win again here and I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d slightly lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Golden Knights vs. Canucks (8:00)
This is quite the interesting game in the Pacific. These teams are both playing kind of lousy, but are both currently in playoff spots, with the Canucks leading the West and the Knights tied in points for third in the division, but in the first Wild Card spot. Vegas made some pretty big moves this week bringing in Anthony Mantha from Washington and then last night made a big splash, with Noah Hanifan from Calgary, and both might play tonight. The Canucks are the better team here, but Vegas won the first game 4-1 on the road. I’d lean Vancouver wins this one tonight, but not enough to bet it. I’d also lean the over, but I’ll just stay off this game completely.
Kings vs. Senators (8:00)
Not a great game here. The Kings are a playoff team, and they’re playing well. Meanwhile the Senators have been terrible this season, in the second half of a back to back and on a five game losings streak, coming off losing 2-1 in Anaheim last night. LA won the first game between these teams 3-2 on the road and I expect hem to win even easier tonight. I’ll take the Kings in regulation for half a unit. I’d lean the under, but not enough to bet it.
Sharks vs. Islanders (10:30)
Pretty boring matchup to close out the night. The Islanders are trying to chase down the Flyers for that third spot in the Metro Division and they’re playing well right now, coming into tonight’s game on a four game win streak. The Sharks on the other hand blow, one of the two worst teams in the NHL. The Sharks actually won the first game between these teams, with a 5-4 overtime win on Long Island. I like the Isles to stay hot here and I’ll take them in regulation for half a unit. I’d slightly lean the over but not enough to bet it.
Game Bets
.5u Panthers in regulation (-137)
.5u Panthers/Flyers under 6 (-105)
.5u Hurricanes in regulation (-180)
.5u Oilers in regulation (-175)
.5u Wild ML (-142)
.5u Kings in regulation (-113)
.5u Islanders in regulation (-175)
Futures
4u Vegas Golden Knights – Stanley Cup Champions (+1000)
Record: 465-427-11 (-85.86 units)
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