Yesterday’s huge card didn’t work out all that great for me on the NHL, going 6-7 to lose 1.66 units. Still a profitable week, so let’s bounce back here and get the win on tonight’s five game slate!
Blues vs. Hurricanes (8:00)
Not the best cross conference game to start off tonight’s slate. The Blues are playing decent hockey lately, but are in danger of getting eliminated from playoff contention with the combo of a loss tonight and a Golden Knights win. They come into tonight’s game with a 10-3-2 record in their last 15 games, coming off an easy 5-2 win against the Blackhawks on Monday. The Hurricanes are a fantastic team, locked into at worst second place in the Metro and three points back from the Rangers for the President’s Trophy lead. Coming off a 4-1 win in Boston on Tuesday, they’re on a three game win streak with just four losses in their last 18 games. The Blues actually won the first game between these teams 2-1 in a shootout in Carolina in January. I like the Canes to win this one on the road tonight and I’ll take them in regulation for half a unit. I’d lean the under, but not enough to bet it.
Blackhawks vs. Predators (8:30)
Terrible Central Division matchup. The Blackhawks are one of the worst teams in the NHL, playing awful hockey all year. They’re coming off a 5-2 loss in St. Louis on Wednesday for their second bad loss in a row. The Predators are in the first Wild Card in the West, playing solid hockey. They’re coming off a 4-3 overtime loss to the Jets on Tuesday and although they have just two wins in their last seven games, they’ve picked up at least a point in three of their last four games. Smashville’s won all three previous games between these teams, 4-2 at home in November, 4-3 in a shootout in Chicago in December, and then 3-0 in a shutout at home in January. I like them to get right here and win with ease to complete the season sweep. I’ll take the Preds in regulation for half a unit. I’d lean the under, but not enough to bet it.
Oilers vs. Coyotes (9:00)
Not a great matchup here in the West. Although both of these teams are playing decent hockey lately, this is a huge mismatch. The Oilers are incredible. Coming off a 5-1 win in what could very well be a first round preview against Vegas on Wednesday, their third straight win. McDavid and his Oil have a 6-1-1 record in their last eight games. The Coyotes have had a terrible season, but they’re playing decent lately with eight wins in their last 13 games, coming off a 4-3 overtime win in Vancouver on Wednesday late night. Edmonton won the first game between these teams easily, with a 6-3 win on the road in February and I expect a very similar result tonight. My favorite play here is the Oilers team total over 3.5, which I’ll take for half a unit. I’d lean the over on the game too, but I’ll just stick with Edmonton.
Golden Knights vs. Wild (10:00)
Solid game here. The Golden Knights are coming into tonight on a three game losing streak off a 5-1 loss in Edmonton on Wednesday, but they’re right in the mix. Vegas could clinch the final remaining playoff spot in the Western Conference tonight with a regulation win and a Blues loss or a win and a Blues regulation loss. They’re three points back from the Kings and Preds for seeding once they get in. The Wild had an unsuccessful season and they’re struggling right now with just three wins in their last nine games, coming off a 5-2 loss in Colorado on Tuesday. These teams split their first two games this year, with the Wild winning 5-3 in Vegas in February and the Knights answering back with a 2-1 win in Minnesota in OT in March. I like Vegas to get in the playoffs tonight and I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but I’m not touching the total on this one.
Ducks vs. Flames (10:00)
Terrible Pacific Division matchup to close out tonight’s slate. These teams have long been out of the playoffs, and they’re both playing lousy hockey. The Ducks have been horrendous this year. Coming off a 3-1 win against the Kings on Tuesday night, they have just three wins in their last 17 games. The Flames haven’t really been any better lately, with just two wins in their last eleven games, coming off a 4-1 loss in LA last night. These teams split their first two games, each winning on the road with a 3-0 Flames win in Anaheim in December and a 5-3 win for the Ducks in Calgary ten days ago. I’d lean the Flames win here since they’re the way better team, but in the second half of a back to back, I’m not touching this shitty game. I’d lean the under, but I’m not touching that either.
Game Bets
.5u Hurricanes in regulation (-120)
.5u Predators in regulation (-160)
1u Oilers TT over 3.5 (-170)
.5u Golden Knights ML (-170)
Futures
4u Vegas Golden Knights – Stanley Cup Champions (+1000)
Record: 571-509-12 (-95.43 units)
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