Great Sunday for me on the NHL, going 3-0, sweeping the board to win 2 units. Tonight we have a decent eight game slate with a few key games in the Metro Division. Let’s win again!
Lightning vs. Sabres (7:00)
Completely meaningless game for this Atlantic Division matchup with the Sabres eliminated from playoff contention and the Lightning locked into their spot as the first Wild Card in the Eastern Conference. Although Tampa’s the way better team between these teams this year, the Sabres are 2-1 against them, winning both games in OT, with a 3-2 win at home in October, losing 3-1 at home in January, and winning 3-2 on the road in February. Even with this being a meaningless game, the Bolts are starting Vasilevskiy in goal, while Comrie likely gets the nod for Buffalo. With that, I like the Lightning to win this one at home to tie up the season series. I’ll take Tampa for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Red Wings vs. Canadiens (7:00)
Not the best Atlantic Division matchup here but every point matters for the Red Wings in the playoff race. Detroit enters tonight in a three way tie with the Capitals and Flyers for the final remaining Wild Card spot in the East, a point ahead of the Penguins and with a game in hand over Philly. Although they come into tonight’s game off a 5-4 overtime win in Toronto on Saturday, they’ve struggled lately with just seven wins in their last 21 games. Not exactly what you want from a team that’s trying to make playoffs. The Habs, coming off a 5-4 shootout loss to the Senators on Saturday are the worst team in the Atlantic and have just one win in their last six games. These teams split their first two games, each needing overtime on the road, a 3-2 Canadiens win in November and a 5-4 Red Wings win in December. I like Detroit to get the win here, but I don’t think they’re worth the -220 or buying down to regulation only. The play I like here is their team total over 3.5, which I’ll take for half a unit. I’d lean the over on the game, but not enough to bet it.
Devils vs. Islanders (7:00)
Kind of an interesting matchup in the Metro here. The Isles can clinch their spot in the playoffs with a few different scenarios tonight as they currently hold a three point lead for third place in the Division. They’re coming into tonight hot, on a seven game point streak, having their six game win streak come to an end on Saturday with their 3-2 shootout loss to the Rangers on Saturday afternoon (comeback win for me). The Devils are dead, coming off a 1-0 shutout loss in Philly on Saturday, and they have just two wins in their last eight games. Jersey’s won all three previous games between these teams, winning 5-4 in OT on Long Island in October, 5-4 at home in November, and in a 4-0 shutout on the road last month. I like the Isles to punch their ticket tonight and get the win here tonight on the road, and I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d slightly lean the over, but I’m not touching the total.
Penguins vs. Predators (7:00)
This should be a fun cross conference game with the way these teams are both playing right now in this final push for the end of the season. The Penguins are currently a point back from the three way tie for the second Wild Card spot in the East and have been hot lately to come back from the dead and get to this point. They had a ten game point streak come to an end on Saturday with a 6-4 loss at home to the Bruins. The Predators hold their first Wild Card spot in the West, pretty much just playing for seeding with the Kings and Golden Knights. They’re on a four game point streak right now, coming off a 6-4 win against Columbus on Saturday. Nashville won the first game between these teams 3-2 in OT at home in November. I think the Preds are the better team here and they should win on the road, but with the extra factor of the Penguins needing to keep winning and this game being pretty meaningless for Smashville, I’ll stay off this game entirely.
Capitals vs. Bruins (7:00)
This isn’t the best matchup in the Eastern Conference, but it could end up being a pretty fun game. The Capitals are still in the mix in the East, holding the tiebreaker as they have the second Wild Card spot, tied in points with the Red Wings and Flyers, and a point ahead of the Penguins. They’re struggling right now though with just two wins in their last nine games, coming off a 4-2 win against the Lightning on Saturday. The Bruins are a point ahead of the Panthers for first in the Eastern Conference, playing for the top seed. Coming off a 6-4 win in Pittsburgh on Saturday, they’ve won five of their last six games. These teams split their first two games, with the Caps winning in a 3-0 shutout in Boston in February, and the B’s answering back with a 3-2 shootout win in DC in March. I like the Bruins to win here on the road again and I’ll take Boston for half a unit. I’d lean the under, but not enough to bet it.
Rangers vs. Senators (7:30)
This Eastern Conference matchup stinks. The Rangers can clinch the President’s Trophy with a win of any fashion at MSG tonight. The Rags come into tonight’s game off a 3-2 shootout win against the Isles at home on Saturday. The Senators have had a terrible season, but they’re playing pretty well lately, with three wins in their last four games, all in OT, coming off a 5-4 shootout win against the Habs on Saturday. These teams split their first two games of the season, both high scoring games in Ottawa, with the Sens winning 6-2 at home in December and the Rangers answering back with a 7-2 win on the road in January. I fully expect the Rags to lock up that President’s Trophy tonight and I’ll take them in regulation for a unit. I’d lean the over, but not quite enough for me to bet on it.
Oilers vs. Sharks (9:30)
Horrible matchup in the Pacific. The Oilers, who are coming off two losses in a row after a 3-1 loss at home to the Canucks on Saturday, can technically get the first seed in the Pacific if they go 3-0 in their last three games and the Canucks go 0-2. They have a very favorable against the worst team in the NHL tonight as the Sharks come to town, and the books reflect that with the moneyline all the way up to -565. These teams split their first two games in San Jose, with the Sharks winning 3-2 at home in November, and the Oilers shutting out the Sharks 5-0 on the road in December. I fully expect an Edmonton win here and I’ll take their team total over 4 for half a unit. I’d lean the over on the game, but not enough to bet it.
Kings vs. Wild (9:30)
Not a terrible game to close out the night. The Kings hold a point lead over Vegas for the third spot in the Pacific, playing for seeding as they’re both already in the playoffs. LA’s been hot lately as they come into tonight’s game with five wins in their last six games after a 3-1 win against the Ducks late Saturday night. The Wild, who’s season has been over for a while, haven’t been great lately with just two wins in their last six games, coming off a 6-2 win in San Jose on Saturday. The Kings made easy work out of the two previous games between these teams this year, winning 7-3 on the road in October and in a 6-0 shutout at home last month. I like them to complete the season sweep here and I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d lean the over at 5.5, but not enough to bet on it.
Game Bets
.5u Lightning ML (-175)
.5u Red Wings TT over 3.5 (-140)
.5u Islanders ML (-122)
.5u Bruins ML (-162)
1u Rangers in regulation (-145)
.5u Oilers TT over 4 (-139)
.5u Kings ML (-166)
Futures
4u Vegas Golden Knights – Stanley Cup Champions (+1000)
Record: 584-514-12 (-94.01 units)
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