Slightly profitable night for me on the NHL yesterday, going 6-3 but just winning 0.39 units. I’ll take it. Tonight’s four game slate means nothing, all just throw away games with absolutely nothing to play for before the regular season ends tomorrow. Let’s see if I can find some value.
Lightning vs. Maple Leafs (7:00)
These Atlantic Division teams found out their playoff matchups for the first round last night and we get two great rivalries, with the Battle of Florida for the Lightning and Boston vs. Toronto for the Leafs. I don’t expect either of these teams to put much effort into this game and I’d anticipate a bunch of players for both teams sit. I’d slightly lean the Bolts win this one at home, but with this game meaning nothing I’m not even considering touching a side here. The play I like here is for Auston Matthews to end the regular season scoring his 70th goal of the year, especially with Vasy getting the night off for Tampa tonight, which I’ll take for a unit. I’ll also take the over for half a unit.
Islanders vs. Penguins (7:00)
This game had an outside chance yesterday to end up being a playoff game for the Penguins to get in, but with the Capitals clinching their spot last night, this Metro Division matchup is completely meaningless. The Islanders locked up the #3 seed with a matchup set against the Hurricanes in the first round on Monday night with their 4-1 win in Jersey. They come into tonight on an eight game point streak with a 7-0-1 record in that span. The Pens, coming off a 4-2 win against the Preds on Monday night, have been hot lately to stay in the playoff race until last night, with an 8-2-1 record in their last eleven games. Pittsburgh’s 2-0-1 against the Isles this year, winning 7-0 on Long Island in December, 3-1 at home a few days later, and then lost 5-4 in overtime in February. With the Islanders in the playoffs, I don’t see them playing to the best of their ability tonight and although it doesn’t mean anything, I like the Penguins to win tonight and finish the season a point out of the playoffs, which I’ll take for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but I’m not touching it.
Stars vs. Blues (9:30)
This is the most boring game of the night to me. The Stars have nothing to play for since they have first place in the Western Conference all locked up, waiting to find out if they’ll be playing the Golden Knights or Kings in the first round based on the results of their games tomorrow night. The Blues have nothing to play for either, since their season’s been done for a bit now. They have played relatively well lately though. The Stars are the far better team here, but the Blues are actually 2-0-1 against them this season, losing 2-1 in a shootout in Dallas in the first week of the season, winning 4-3 in OT and 2-1 in their two December games at home. Although the Stars are way better of a team, I don’t think a team that is likely resting players for the playoffs is worth betting at -250 and in fact, I see value on the Blues here. I’ll take the Blues +1.5 for a unit and the moneyline for half a unit. I’d lean the over slightly but I’m not betting it.
Coyotes vs. Oilers (10:00)
It’s the end of an era in Arizona as the Coyotes play their last game in Arizona before the franchise gets sold and moves with a fresh start as a new team in Utah next season. Besides that nostalgia though in the desert, this game doesn’t mean anything. The Oilers are locked in second place in the Pacific, awaiting their opponent for the first round of either the Golden Knights or the Kings based off the results of their games tomorrow night. The Coyotes have long been out of the playoffs, but have played pretty well lately, with four wins in their last six games, coming off a 6-5 loss in Calgary on Sunday. These teams split their first two games this season, with the Oilers winning 6-3 in Arizona in February and the Yotes answering back with a 3-2 overtime win in Edmonton five days ago. Regardless of all that though and that Edmonton’s clearly the better team here, I have to bet on the Coyotes. This being the final game for this franchise in this city and that extra emotion for Arizona makes me think the Coyotes end their tenure with a win in the Mullett, where they do have a winning record over the last two years. I’ll take the Yotes puck line for a unit and the moneyline for half a unit. End of an era kind of play. I’d lean the over here for sure, but I’ll just stick with Arizona.
Game Bets
1u Auston Matthews anytime goal (-133)
.5u Lightning/Maple Leafs over 6.5 (-114)
.5u Penguins ML (-130)
1u Blues +1.5 (-122)
.5u Blues ML (+205)
1u Coyotes +1.5 (-170)
.5u Coyotes ML (+140)
Futures
4u Vegas Golden Knights – Stanley Cup Champions (+1000)
Record: 594-520-12 (-93.64 units)
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A Town's Zone 