Easy 2-0 mini sweep last night to win a unit sweat free on the lousy two game slate. Tonight the NHL has a loaded day, with a 14 game slate. Let’s crush it just like last weekend!!
Red Wings vs. Sabres (12:30)
Huge Atlantic Division matchup here in Detroit to start the day off for my Sabres in the Wild Card race, trying to chase down the Red Wings and Isles, as we come into today just three points out of the playoffs. We come into today’s game off three really great wins in a row, after a 3-2 overtime win against the Oilers on Saturday, we dominated the Red Wings 7-3 at home on Tuesday, and then the Isles 4-0 in a shutout for UPL at home on Thursday. Two really key wins against the two teams we’re trying to pass in the standings. Buffalo’s playing really well right now while the Red Wings are on a tail spin worse than Boeing is. After a 4-1 loss at home to the Coyotes on Thursday, they’re on a seven game losing streak. There teams are 1-1 against each other this year after Detroit won the first game 5-3 in Buffalo in December. I feel like if it weren’t for my Buffalo bias, I’d be all over the Sabres, but as a fan, this game makes me nervous. We haven’t put together a four game win streak at all, and this is only our second three game win streak of the year. I’ll lay off the side in this game. That being said, UPL has been the best goalie in the NHL since January, putting up Vezina numbers in that span, with a .932 save percentage and a 1.87 GAA, with four shutouts (five on the year). He’s given up less than four goals in 23 of his last 24 games. I’m gonna go out of the box here and take the Red Wings team total under 3.5 for half a unit. I’d slightly lean the under on the game, but not enough to bet it. Let’s Go Buffalo!!!
Islanders vs. Senators (12:30)
Terrible matchup here. The Islanders still hang onto their second Wild Card spot in the East by a hair, tied with the Red Wings, a point ahead of the Caps, and three ahead of the Sabres. After a dominant six game win streak, they’ve since gotten shut out in their last two games, losing 3-0 in LA on Monday, and then 4-0 in Buffalo on Thursday. The Sens, despite coming off two wins in a row, against the Jackets and Pens, both needing overtime, have sucked. The Isles won both previous games between these teams this season, 3-2 at home in October, and 5-3 on the road in November. I expect them to get right here in their return to Long Island and bounce back with a win at home to complete the season sweep in this matinee. I’ll take New York for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Penguins vs. Rangers (3:00)
This Metro Division matchup isn’t great. The Pens stink this year. I cashed in on them on Thursday, as they ended a four game losing streak with a 6-3 win against the Sharks, just their second in their last ten games (and the other came against the Blue Jackets, which doesn’t say much at all). The Rangers still have a four point lead over Carolina for first place in the Metro (although I think the Canes end up finishing the season as the Division champs). They’re coming off a 6-3 loss in Tampa on Thursday, ending a three game win streak. The Rags won the first game between these teams with a 1-0 shutout win for Jonathan Quick on the road in November. I like them to win again today on the road and I’ll take them for a unit. I like the under too, which I’ll take at 6 for half a unit.
Coyotes vs. Devils (5:00)
Lousy cross conference matchup in this one. Both of these teams are struggling quite a bit. I was kind of shocked by the Devils 6-2 win in Dallas (double loser for me) on Thursday night as well as the Yotes 4-1 win in Detroit. Neither of these teams have been good though by any means. The Coyotes won the first game between these teams in the first week of the season, needing a shootout for a 4-3 win on the road in Jersey. I’d lean the Devils answer back with a win on the road at the Mullett tonight, but by no means do I think they’re worth betting at -165. I’d lean the over, but don’t see enough of an edge in that either, so I’ll lay off that one entirely too.
Panthers vs. Lightning (6:00)
The Battle of Florida! These games between this rivalry are always a blast. The Panthers are the better ones out of this playoff matchup this season, winning both previous games on the road in Tampa, 3-2, and then putting on a clinic, 9-2. Both of these teams are playing well lately, comfortably in playoff spots. Especially with the Panthers coming off a 4-0 shutout loss in Carolina on Thursday, I like them to bounce back with a win at home tonight against their in-state rivals, and I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it with Florida being the most profitable under team in the league this year.
Bruins vs. Flyers (7:00)
This shouldn’t be too bad of a game. The first game between these teams was a blowout in Philly, with the Bruins winning 6-2 on the road. They’re the far better team here, especially offensively and I’d expect them to win this one again. The moneyline is pretty steep, but I’ll take the B’s in regulation for half a unit. Both of these teams have been very good defensively (although the Flyers did give up 6 goals to the Leafs in a 6-2 loss and 7 in a shutout loss to the Lightning in the span of their last three games), and with that I like the under, which I’ll take a half unit shot at.
Maple Leafs vs. Hurricanes (7:00)
This is a great matchup in the East and the second best one on the slate behind the Oilers vs. Avs. Both of these playoff teams are playing fantastic hockey as of late, and even with Toronto’s shaky defense on the season, they’re both playing great on both ends of the ice. The first game between these teams was close, with the Canes winning 3-2 on the road in Toronto in December. I do think Carolina’s the better, more well rounded team, and I’d slightly lean they win again on the road here, but not enough to bet them. Although these teams both have the ability to score, I do like the under though, which I’ll take at 6.5 for half a unit.
Blue Jackets vs. Sharks (7:00)
Horrible cross conference matchup here between two of the worst teams in the league. Both of them have been horrendous on both ends of the ice. The Sharks were the second team to get eliminated from playoff contention this year and points wise are the worst team in the NHL (second worst when you take into account that the Blackhawks have two more games played for their two point lead, but who the fuck cares). The Blue Jackets are the worst team in the East, and won the first game between these teams 4-3 on the road in February. I’d expect Columbus wins again tonight at home, but no way are they a team worth betting on a -200. No fucking shot. I’d lean the over with how terrible both defenses are, but with how abysmal the offenses are, I’ll stay off this game entirely.
Flames vs. Canadiens (7:00)
Pretty shitty cross conference game here. Neither of these teams have been great this season. The Habs have been one of the worst teams in the East this year and they’re struggling. The Flames haven’t been great either, but have shown more promise. They’re coming off a 4-1 win against Vegas on Thursday that ended their three game losing streak they went on against playoff teams, and they’ve actually won seven of their last eleven games. I like the Flames to get the win here at home and I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d lean the under, but that’s way too close to a coin flip to bet on.
Blues vs. Wild (8:00)
This midwest rivalry is usually pretty good, despite neither of these teams being great this year. They’re both outside of the playoff picture and just two points apart in the Central. They’re both coming off wins, and split their first two games, each winning 3-1 at home. The Blues are coming off a 3-1 win against the Kings and a 5-1 win in Boston, while the Wild have been hot, on a six game point streak with five wins in that span and an OT loss in Colorado. I think Minnesota’s the better team here, and I’d lean they win on the road as well as the under, but I don’t see any value on betting this game. I’ll stay off it completely.
Stars vs. Kings (8:00)
This should be a really solid matchup tonight. The Stars are in a three way tie at the top of the Central Division but they’re coming off two losses in a row. After they blew a 3-0 lead to lose 4-3 to the Panthers on Tuesday, they followed it up with a surprising 6-2 loss at home to the Devils on Thursday (double loser for me). The Kings are in the second half of a back to back tonight after blowing out the Blackhawks 5-0 on the road yesterday where they cruised to sweat free winner (that had a 4-0 lead in the first). Dallas won both previous games between these teams easily, winning 5-1 at home, and 4-1 on the road. I like the Stars to complete the season sweep here and bounce back from those losses at home, especially with the Kings in the second half of a back to back. I’ll take Dallas for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but don’t see it worth betting.
Oilers vs. Avalanche (10:00)
Phenomenal matchup here that could easily be a preview of the Western Conference Finals this year. Both of these teams have been having very good seasons. I’d very slightly lean the Oilers win this one at home, but not enough to bet it. I do expect both teams to score though, and I’ll take the over for half a unit. I can’t wait to watch this game tonight.
Canucks vs. Capitals (10:00)
This game isn’t the best. The Canucks are rolling as they lead the Western Conference. They’re on a five game point streak with a 5-2-1 record in their last eight games, coming of a 4-3 overtime loss to the Avs on Wednesday in a crazy game where they blew a 3-0 lead and Colorado pulled off the comeback, ending a four game win streak for Vancouver. The Caps are coming off a 2-1 win in Seattle (that I should’ve bet the under on), and haven’t been great, but they’re still in the mix in the East, just a point back from the Isles and Red Wings for the second Wild Card spot. The first game between these teams in Washington last month needed overtime, with the Canucks winning 3-2. I’d expect another win for Vancouver here to bounce back. The moneyline is more expensive than I’d like, but I do think they’re worth betting on. I’ll limit myself on regulation and go with the Canucks for half a unit. I’d lean the under, but not enough to bet it.
Kraken vs. Predators (10:00)
Pretty interesting game here to close out the night. The Predators, who hold the first Wild Card spot in the West, are one of the hottest teams in the NHL right now. They’re on a 13 game point streak, with eleven wins in that span, bouncing back from their WILD 4-3 overtime loss in Minnesota on Sunday with a big 4-2 win in Winnipeg on Wednesday. The Kraken, despite having a solid defense haven’t been great this season, coming into tonight on a three game losing streak. These teams split their two previous games, with the Preds winning in a 3-0 shutout at home in October and Seattle answering back with a 4-2 win at home in November. I like Nashville to keep the hot streak going and I’ll take the Preds on the road for half a unit. I’d lean the under but definitely not enough to bet on it at 5.5.
Game Bets
.5u Red Wings TT under 3.5 (-165)
.5u Islanders ML (-166)
.5u Rangers ML (-142)
.5u Rangers/Penguins under 6 (-120)
.5u Panthers ML (-170)
.5u Bruins in regulation (-125)
.5u Bruins/Flyers under 5.5 (-105)
.5u Maple Leafs/Hurricanes under 6.5 (-134)
.5u Flames ML (-160)
.5u Stars ML (-155)
.5u Oilers/Avalanche over 6.5 (-135)
.5u Canucks in regulation (-140)
.5u Predators ML (-118)
Futures
4u Vegas Golden Knights – Stanley Cup Champions (+1000)
Record: 492-440-11 (-81.39 units)
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