I split my plays on last night’s NHL games, going 2-2, losing 0.2 units. Not horrible after a great weekend. Tonight we have a big ten game slate tonight, let’s bounce back!
Sabres vs. Red Wings (7:00)
Pretty solid matchup in the Atlantic to get the night started. My Sabres ended their three game losing streak on Saturday afternoon, in impressive fashion as they beat the Oilers 3-2 (twice) in a shootout. The Red Wings come into tonight on a five game losing streak to drop out of their playoff spot, two points back from the Islanders. Detroit won the first game between these team 5-3 on the road. They’re the better team, especially offensively this season, but they’re playing poorly right now. I’d slightly lean the Red Wings win this one on the road, but not enough to bet against my Sabres. I’d slightly lean the under but I’ll lay off this game completely.
Canadiens vs. Blue Jackets (7:00)
Pretty terrible Eastern Conference matchup here. Both of these teams suck, two of the three worst teams in the East. Neither have played all that well recently either. The Blue Jackets have a slightly edge offensively, while the Habs have the slight defensive edge. Montreal won both prior games between these teams, 4-3 in overtime at home in October and 4-2 on the road in November. I’d slightly lean the over and that the Canadiens complete the season sweep at home, but this isn’t a game I want anything to do with betting on.
Senators vs. Penguins (7:00)
This is another pretty shitty game. Both of these teams have struggled this season and they’re both struggling now, as the Sens are on a seven game losing streak and the Pens have just one win in their last seven games. Ottawa won both previous games between these teams, winning 5-2 on the road and 5-4 in overtime at home. Although the Senators have the better offense here, Pittsburgh has the way better defense. I’d lean the Penguins avoid the season sweep here and get a win on the road, and I’d lean the over, but I’m not betting this game.
Flyers vs. Sharks (7:00)
Pretty big mismatch here. The Flyers are coming off getting shut out 7-0 but they’re having a good season, still hanging onto their third place spot in the Metro, two points ahead of the Isles (and four ahead of Detroit for the second Wild Card spot). They get a pretty easy matchup tonight against one of the worst teams in the NHL, the Sharks, who got significantly worse at the deadline, trading Tomas Hertl to Vegas. San Jose is coming off a 2-1 win against the Sens on Saturday to end their nine game losing streak. I love the Flyers to win this one at home to answer back from their 2-1 loss to the Sharks on the road in November. The moneyline is way too expensive at -340, but I’ll lay the juice on them in regulation for half a unit. I’d lean the under, but not enough to bet it.
Hurricanes vs. Rangers (7:00)
Fantastic Metro Division matchup here by the clear cut two best teams in the division. Both of these teams have been playing great on both ends of the ice the year, barely separated stats wise both offensively and defensively. They split their first two games in MSG, with the Rangers winning 2-1 at home and the Canes answering back with a 6-1 win on the road. I’d expect this one to be a pretty tight matchup and would lean that Carolina wins it at home and slightly lean the under, but I don’t see value in a game that should be a lot closer than the -170 price. I’ll stay off it. Easily one of the two best games on the board along with Stars vs. Panthers.
Stars vs. Panthers (8:00)
This cross conference matchup’s phenomenal. Both of these teams have been very good this season and lead their divisions. The Stars roll into tonight on a five game win streak as they lead the Central. The Panthers lead the NHL and they’re easily my pick to come out of the East. Florida won the first game 5-4 between them at home in December. I think they’re the better team here and would slightly lean they win it at on the road, but not enough to bet on what’s essentially a coin flip to me. I’d slightly lean the under, but not enough to see any value in that either, so I’ll stay off this game completely too. AWESOME game.
Wild vs. Coyotes (8:00)
Pretty shitty matchup here in the Central Division. The Wild aren’t a great team, but they’re playing well lately, on a four game point streak with three wins in their last four games. They’re coming off a huge 4-3 overtime win with John Hynes dragging his balls all the way to the locker room after pulling Flower for the 4 on 3 in OT and getting the win on Boldy’s goal against the Preds on Sunday. Incredible win. The Coyotes are terrible lately and coming into tonight off a terrible 7-4 loss in Chicago. Minnesota’s 2-1 on the season against the Yotes, with a 6-0 loss at home, and then 3-1 and 5-2 wins on the road. I like the Wild to win again at home here and I’ll take them in regulation for half a unit.
Blackhawks vs. Ducks (8:30)
Horrible matchup here between two of the worst teams in the NHL. The Blackhawks were the first team eliminated from playoff contention and have been horrible all season. The Ducks are only marginally better. The first game between these teams was a complete dud with Chicago winning 1-0 at home. I expect another terrible game here that’s pretty much a coin flip. Who cares about this game. For sure not touching it.
Flames vs. Avalanche (9:00)
This should be a pretty solid game. The Avs are playing really well lately, still very comfortably in their playoff spot, coming into tonight’s game on a three game win streak with five wins in their last six games. After a hot run, the Flames have since lost three of their last four games. Colorado won both previous games between these teams at home, winning 3-1 and 6-5. I like them to complete the season sweep here on the road and I’ll take them for half a unit. I considered their team total but I like the ML better. I considered the over on the game, but I’ll just stick with the Avs here.
Kraken vs. Golden Knights (10:00)
Fun Pacific Division matchup to close out the night. The Golden Knights hang onto their second Wild Card spot in the West, two points back from the Kings and three behind the Preds. They made the biggest splash of the deadline, getting Tomas Hertl and Noah Hanifan with their LTIR moves to make room for them. Vegas ended their four game losing streak with a 5-3 win against the Red Wings at home on Saturday night, just their third win in their last 12 games. The Kraken are playing decent this season, but are the worse team in this match. These teams split their first two games, each winning at home, a 4-1 Knights win and a 3-0 shutout win for Seattle. I’d lean the golden Knights win this one on the road and would lean the over very slightly, but I don’t see any edge in betting this game.
Game Bets
.5u Flyers in regulation (-190)
.5u Wild in regulation (-130)
.5u Avalanche ML (-170)
Futures
4u Vegas Golden Knights – Stanley Cup Champions (+1000)
Record: 484-436-11 (-82.43 units)
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