I lost my only NHL play last night early, losing 0.53 units on the under as my Sabres hit the total themselves. After just two games last night, tonight we have a huge 13 game slate. Let’s get some solid wins here and bounce back!
Bruins vs. Senators (7:00)
Not a great Atlantic Division matchup here. Although the Sens aren’t playing terribly lately and the first game between these teams this year in Ottawa took till overtime for the Bruins to win 3-2 back in January, Boston’s the far better team here. I expect them to get the win at home relatively easily and I’ll take them in regulation for half a unit. I’d lean the under slightly, but not enough to bet it.
Red Wings vs. Blue Jackets (7:00)
I wouldn’t say this is a great game but how the Red Wings bounce back from their 6-3 loss in Pittsburgh on Sunday could end up being very impactful. In the tight Eastern Conference Wild Card race, Detroit’s a point back from the Caps and a point ahead of the Isles for the second Wild Card in the East. They have a very favorable matchup against a really lousy Blue Jackets team. Detroit’s already 2-0 against Columbus, winning 4-0 on the road and then 5-4 at home. I like them to win again here and although they’re struggling right now with just one win (against my Sabres) in their last nine games, I like the Red Wings to complete the season sweep here at home and I’ll take them for half a unit.
Devils vs. Penguins (7:00)
This is a pretty shitty Metro Division matchup between two disappointing teams that are both going to miss the playoffs this year. They’ve both been playing lousy both on the season and recently. The Devils won the first game between these teams 5-2 on the road in November, and I think they’re the more well rounded, better team here, and would lean they win along with the over, but there’s zero value in betting this matchup and I’ll stay off it entirely. This game sucks.
Rangers vs. Jets (7:00)
This should be an awesome cross conference matchup. Both of these playoff teams have played really well both recently and on the year. In the first game between these teams, the Rangers won 3-2 in overtime on the road. I’d lean they win again at home tonight with a very slight edge, and would lean the under, but not enough to bet either. I’ll lay off this game entirely.
Flyers vs. Maple Leafs (7:00)
Although both of these teams are in playoff spots, I think they both end up getting bounced in the first round, assuming that they both make it. Toronto’s the much better team here. They won both previous games, winning 4-3 at home in overtime in February, and then 6-2 on the road. I like them to win again here in Philly and I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d slightly lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Islanders vs. Hurricanes (7:30)
Interesting matchup here in the Metro Division. The Islanders are just outside of the playoffs, two points back from the Caps and a point back from the Red Wings, but coming off a 5-2 loss to the Rangers on Sunday, they’re on a four game losing streak. The Hurricanes are on fire, on a three game win streak with just one loss in their last seven games. The Isles are 2-1 against Carolina this season, losing 4-3 in overtime at home, winning 5-4 in overtime on the road, and then again 5-4 on the road. I like Carolina to win here on the road to tie up the season series, as they’re the far better team. I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Blues vs. Avalanche (8:00)
This isn’t the best game in the Central. Both of these teams come into tonight on solid win streaks. The Avs are in a three way tie for first at the top of the division with the Stars and Jets, as they’re on a six game win streak with just one loss in their last nine games. The Blues are on a four game win streak. Colorado’s 2-1 in the games between these teams this season, winning 4-1 at home, losing 8-2 at home, and then winning 2-1 on the road. The Avalanche are the better team here and I like them to win on the road, and I’ll take them in regulation for half a unit. I’d slightly lean the under, but not enough to bet it.
Predators vs. Sharks (8:00)
Huge mismatch here. The Predators are on fire, coming into tonight’s game comfortably in their first Wild Card spot in the West as they’re on a 14 game point streak with just two losses in that span. The Sharks on the other hand are one of the worst teams in the NHL. Smashville already won both previous games between these teams this season, winning 5-1 at home in October and 4-2 on the road in February. I fully expect them to complete the season sweep here tonight, as do the books with the moneyline at -400. I’ll take the Preds puck line for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Oilers vs. Canadiens (9:00)
Pretty lousy cross conference matchup here. The Oilers are a wagon, very comfortably in their second place spot in the Pacific. They’re coming off a 3-2 overtime loss to the Avs at home on Saturday, and I expect them to easily beat up on the shitty Habs tonight. The first game between these teams was closer than expected in Montreal, with a 2-1 win for Edmonton on the road in January. This should be an easier win and I’ll take the Oilers in regulation for half a unit. I’d slightly lean the under, but not enough to bet it.
Canucks vs. Sabres (10:00)
This matchup isn’t great. The Canucks still lead the Western Conference, but come into tonight’s game off two losses in a row after a 2-1 loss at home to the Caps on Saturday night. My Sabres are in the second half of a back to back tonight, coming off a big 6-2 win in Seattle last night with another huge game from UPL in goal. We’ve been rolling pretty well lately, with four wins in our last five games, bouncing back nicely from Saturday’s loss in Detroit with the 6-2 win yesterday. The first game between these teams this season was a tight, low scoring game in Buffalo, with the Canucks winning in a 1-0 shutout. I’d lean with us in the second half of a back to back, Vancouver wins tonight. I’d also slightly lean the over with Devon Levi getting the start in goal tonight and UPL getting the night off, but I’ll lay off this game entirely.
Golden Knights vs. Lightning (10:00)
Pretty interesting cross conference matchup here. The Golden Knights, coming off a 3-1 win against the Devils on Sunday afternoon have three wins in their last four games, tied in points with the Kings for third in the Pacific and the second Wild Card spot in the West. The Lightning are in the first Wild Card in the East, and on an impressive three game win streak. The first game between these teams was close with the Lightning winning 5-4 at home in December. I’d slightly lean they win again as a dog here on the road, and would lean the over, but not enough to bet either. I’ll stay off this game completely.
Ducks vs. Wild (10:00)
This game isn’t great. The Ducks have been awful, one of the three worst teams in the NHL. Coming off a 4-2 loss in St. Louis on Sunday (nice win for me), they’re on a six game losing streak. The Wild are coming off a loss in St. Louis as well, a 3-2 shootout loss on Saturday, but they’re on a seven game point streak, with a 5-0-2 record in that span. These teams split their first two games in Minnesota with a 3-2 win for the Ducks in January and a 2-0 shutout win for the Wild last week. I like Minny to win again here and I’ll take them for half a unit in regulation. I’d slightly lean the under, but not enough to bet it.
Kings vs. Blackhawks (10:00)
Huge mismatch to end the night. The Kings are tied in points with the Knights with the tiebreaker for third in the Pacific (while Vegas is in the second Wild Card spot), while the Blackhawks are one of the worst team teams in the NHL. These teams just played each other last Friday, with the Kings winning in a 5-0 blowout on the road in Chicago. I expect another similar result here and I’ll take the LA puck line for half a unit. I’d lean the under, but not enough to bet it.
Game Bets
.5u Bruins in regulation (-140)
.5u Red Wings ML (-166)
.5u Maple Leafs ML (-135)
.5u Hurricanes ML (-162)
.5u Avalanche in regulation (-125)
.5u Predators -1.5 (-162)
.5u Oilers -1.5 (-142)
.5u Wild in regulation (-135)
.5u Kings -1.5 (-142)
Futures
4u Vegas Golden Knights – Stanley Cup Champions (+1000)
Record: 501-449-11 (-82.59 units)
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