Slight loss last night on the NHL, going 3-1, but losing .2 units. Annoying night with the Oilers not scoring, but not bad. Today’s the last loaded Saturday of the regular season, with 13 games on the slate. Let’s win everything!
Rangers vs. Islanders (12:30)
This could potentially be a first round meeting in the Metro Division for the Battle of New York. This is the last regular season game between these teams and they’re both playing great hockey right now. The Isles, coming off a 3-2 overtime win against the Habs on Thursday are on a six game win streak and have a three point lead for third in the Metro. The Rangers are coming off two losses in a row after losing 4-1 to the Flyers on Thursday, but still are the President’s Trophy leaders with the Canes hot on their tail, just a point back. The Rags are 2-1 this season against the Isles, winning 6-5 in incredible comeback fashion outdoors in OT in February, winning 4-2 at home in March, and then losing 4-2 on Long Island on Tuesday. I like the Rangers to bounce back here and I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d lean the under but not enough to bet it.
Stars vs. Kraken (3:00)
Huge mismatch here in the West. The Stars are a fantastic team, a Cup contender, as they lead the Western Conference. They’re just a point back from the Rangers for first in the NHL, coming off a 3-0 shutout loss at home to the Winnipeg Jets. The Kraken failed to even beat the Sharks, losing 3-1 on Thursday night and they’re a terrible team this season. The Stars are 2-0 against Seattle this year, winning 4-3 in OT at home in December and then 3-0 in a shutout on the road in March. I like them to complete the season sweep today and bounce back from Thursday’s loss. I’ll take Dallas in regulation for half a unit. I’d lean the under, but I’m not betting it at 5.5.
Avalanche vs. Jets (4:00)
Fantastic matchup in the Central Division in a very likely preview of the first round. These teams are both tied in points right now with identical 49-24-6 records. The Avs have struggled a bit as of late. Coming off a 5-2 win against the Wild on Tuesday, they have just three wins in their last eight games after going on a great run for a while before that. The Jets, after going on a six game losing streak now come into today’s game on a five game win streak after a 3-0 shutout win in Dallas on Thursday night. Winnipeg won both previous games between these teams 4-2 on the road and 6-2 at home in December. I’d lean the Avs avoid the season sweep with a win today at home, just as I think they win the first round series between these teams, but I’m not betting it. I do like the over though, and I’ll take the over 6 for half a unit.
Panthers vs. Sabres (5:00)
Huge mismatch between these Atlantic Division teams. The Panthers have been fantastic this year, and I think they’re the best team in the East. Coming off a 4-0 shutout against the Blue Jackets, they’re on a four game point streak with three shutout wins in that span. The Sabres meanwhile are eliminated from playoff contention, coming off a 4-2 win against the Capitals on Thursday night. Florida beat us twice already this year, winning in a 4-0 shutout in Buffalo and then 3-2 at home. I fully expect the season sweep here and I’ll take the Panthers in regulation for a unit. I’d lean the under, but I’m not betting it.
Flyers vs. Devils (5:00)
Not the best Metro Division matchup here. The Flyers finally ended their eight game losing streak on Thursday night with a big 4-1 win in New York to keep their playoff hopes alive. They’re currently just a point back from the Penguins for the second Wild Card spot in the race that’s going to come down to the last day of the season. The Devils have had a lousy year, just a couple points back from still being in it. They’re coming off a 6-5 win in Toronto (I crushed the overs on that one easy) on Thursday, just their second win in their last seven games. Jersey’s 2-0-1 against Philly this year, winning 4-3 in OT on the road in November, losing 3-2 in OT at home in December, and then winning 6-3 at home in February. I’d lean the Flyers win this one at home to even the season series and stay in the Wild Card race, but I’m not touching a kid here. I do like the over though, which I’ll take for half a unit.
Capitals vs. Lightning (5:30)
This should be a fun Eastern Conference game in our nation’s capital. The Capitals are struggling right now, but still just a point back from the Pens for the second Wild Card spot. Coming off a 4-2 loss in Buffalo on Thursday night, they have just one win in their last eight games. The Lightning have been a solid team all year, pretty much locked into the first Wild Card spot unless they go 3-0 and Toronto goes 0-3 to finish the season and they jump up to third in the Atlantic. Although they’re coming off a 3-2 shootout loss to the Sens at home on Thursday, they Bolts have been on fire lately, with just two regulation losses in their last 15 games. These teams split their first two games, with the Lightning winning 2-1 in a shootout in December and the Caps answering back with a 5-3 win on the road in February. I like Tampa to win here tonight and I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d lean the under, but not enough to bet it.
Maple Leafs vs. Red Wings (7:00)
This should be a fun game in the Atlantic Division. The Leafs are in the third spot in the division, likely ending the season in that spot. They’re coming off a 6-5 loss at home to the Devils on Thursday night, ending a three game win streak. The Red Wings, coming off two key losses, 6-5 in OT in Pittsburgh on Thursday, and 2-1 at home to the Capitals on Tuesday, are still in the mix, just a point back from the Penguins for the second Wild Card. These teams split their first two games, both winning on the road, a 3-2 Toronto win in November and a 4-2 Detroit win in January. I like the Maple Leafs to win this game and would lean the over, but I’m not touching this matchup at all. I’ll stay off this game completely.
Senators vs. Canadiens (7:00)
Horrible matchup here between the two worst teams in the Atlantic Division. The Sens are a point better, with two wins in their last three games, coming off a 3-2 shootout win in Tampa on Thursday. The Habs are coming off a 3-2 overtime loss on Long Island Thursday after their insane 9-3 win against the Flyers on Tuesday. Ottawa’s 2-0 against the Canadiens this year, winning both previous games easily, 6-2 at home and 4-1 on the road. I’d lean the Sens win here at home tonight to complete the season sweep, but in no way do I think they’re worth betting on at -170. I’d also lean the over, but the best play on this game is no bet at all. I’ll stay off it entirely.
Penguins vs. Bruins (8:00)
This is a big mismatch but I’m expecting it to be a fun game with how well these teams are playing lately. The Penguins, coming off a 6-5 overtime win against the Red Wings on Thursday are on a ten game point streak, playing themselves back from the dead and into the final Wild Card spot in the East on the back of Sidney Crosby’s timeless play. The Bruins still hold a point lead for first in the Atlantic and had a four game win streak come to an end on Tuesday night with their 4-1 loss at home to the Hurricanes. These teams split their first two games, with the Penguins winning 6-5 in Boston in January and the Bruins answering back with a 5-1 win at home in March. The B’s are the way better team here and I like them to win again tonight on the road, at a great price that I’ll take for half a unit. I’d lean the over slightly, but not enough to bet it.
Predators vs. Blue Jackets (8:00)
Huge mismatch for this cross conference game. The Predators hold the first Wild Card in the West and have been a solid team this year. They’re in the second half of a back to back tonight, coming off kicking the shit out of the Blackhawks for a 5-1 win in Chicago last night. The Blue Jackets meanwhile are the worst team in the Eastern Conference. They’re on a three game losing streak with just four wins in their last 17 games, coming off a 4-0 shutout loss in Florida. The Preds won the first game between these teams 2-1 on the road in March, and even in the second half of a back to back, I like Smashville to win easily tonight. I’ll take the Predators in regulation for half a unit. I’d lean the under, but I’m not betting it.
Oilers vs. Canucks (10:00)
Great matchup between the top two teams in the Pacific, separated by just three points in the standings. The Oilers are in the second half of a back to back tonight, coming off screwing me with a 3-2 overtime loss at home to the Coyotes last night that swung my night into the negatives. That ended a three game win streak for Edmonton but they likely will have Connor McDavid back in the lineup tonight. The Canucks haven’t played all that great lately, coming off a 4-3 overtime loss at home to the Yotes as well on Wednesday night. Vancouver is 3-0 this season against the Oil, winning 8-1, 4-3, and 6-2. I’d lean the Oilers win here tonight at home to avoid the season sweep, but not enough to bet it, especially with them in the second half of a back to back. I like the over though, and I’ll take the alternate over 6 here for a unit.
Kings vs. Ducks (10:30)
Lousy California rivalry matchup here tonight. The Kings hold a point lead over the Golden Knights for third place in the Pacific, playing for seeding for that spot and the second Wild Card with both teams locked into the playoffs. They’ve played well lately, with four wins in their last five games, coming off a 4-1 win against Calgary on Thursday. The Ducks meanwhile, in the second half of a back to back tonight after a 6-3 loss to Calgary last night, have been one of the worst teams in the NHL. LA’s 2-1 this season between these teams, winning 5-2 on the road in November, 3-2 in a shootout at home in February, and then losing 3-1 on Tuesday. I like the Kings to bounce back here with an easy win, especially with the Ducks in the second half of a back to back and I’ll take the Kings puck line for half a unit. I’d lean the under, but I’m not betting that. The Kings could hit the 5.5 on their own.
Sharks vs. Wild (10:30)
Terrible matchup to close out the night. The Sharks, coming off a 3-1 win in Seattle on Thursday are still the worst team in the NHL. They’re horrendous and have just four wins in their last 26 games. The Wild are in the second half of a back to back tonight, coming off a 7-2 loss in Vegas last night and have struggled as of late with just one win in their last five games. They’re 2-0 against the Sharks, winning 4-3 and 3-1 at home last month. I like the bounce back spot here for Minnesota and I’ll take them in regulation for half a unit. I’d lean the under, but I’m not touching it.
Game Bets
.5u Rangers ML (-170)
.5u Stars in regulation (-145)
.5u Avalanche/Jets over 6 (-125)
1u Panthers in regulation (-135)
.5u Flyers/Devils over 6.5 (-110)
.5u Lightning ML (-135)
.5u Bruins ML (-125)
.5u Predators in regulation (-165)
1u Oilers/Canucks over 6 (-130)
.5u Kings -1.5 (-135)
.5u Wild in regulation (-145)
Futures
4u Vegas Golden Knights – Stanley Cup Champions (+1000)
Record: 574-510-12 (-95.63 units)
Please follow me:
Instagram: @atownszone
Twitter: @atownszone
If you like the site and my work, share it with your friends!
… and tell Dave Portnoy to hire me at Barstool…
A Town's Zone 