I got let down by the Panthers game last night, going 2-2 on the NHL to lose 0.87 units. Tonight we have a five game slate with some nice spots to bounce back before a loaded huge slate tomorrow!
Penguins vs. Red Wings (7:30)
Lousy game in the East to start off the night as both of these teams have been significantly under par to start the season. After picking up a solid 4-2 win in Washington on Friday night, the Penguins got blown out 7-1 by the Stars on Monday night, cashing a very easy bet for me. This team stinks and have just one win in their last four games, playing especially awful on the back end. The Red Wings aren’t much better. They’re coming off two losses in a row after getting shut out 4-0 by the Rangers at home on Saturday (another easy winner for me). The Pens won the first game between these teams 6-3 in the first week of the season on the road. I’d slightly lean Pittsburgh wins at home but no shot I’m betting it. I’d lean the over since neither team can keep the puck out of their own net, but both offenses have struggled as well, which makes me just stay off this crappy matchup entirely.
Capitals vs. Maple Leafs (7:30)
Fun matchup here in the Eastern Conference. The Capitals have played excellent hockey so far this year, really exceeding expectations with their 10-4 start to the season as Ovi’s firing at his goal record at a fantastic pace. They’re coming off a big 8-1 blowout win in St. Louis on Saturday night where he scored twice as Washington bounced back from their 4-2 loss at home to Pittsburgh the night before. The Leafs are in the second half of a back to back tonight, coming off a 3-0 loss at home to the Sens in the Battle of Ontario last night, ending their three game losing streak. Especially with Toronto in the second half of a back to back and Auston Matthews still on the IR, I like the Caps to win here at home. I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d slightly lean the under, but not enough to bet it.
Utah HC vs. Hurricanes (9:00)
This is a huge mismatch in this cross conference matchup. Utah, after having a solid start to the year have since struggled, falling back to pretty much where the Coyotes were last year. They have just two wins in their last nine games, coming off a 4-0 shutout loss in Nashville on Saturday. The Canes have been fantastic, one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. After a dominant 5-2 win in Vegas on Monday night, giving the Golden Knights their first home loss of the year, Carolina’s now won nine of their last ten games, bouncing back nicely from their disappointing loss on Saturday in Colorado. This should be an easy win for the Hurricanes. I was going to take them in regulation for a unit, but I’ll take their moneyline for 1.5 units, coming in at a price that I think’s great value under -200. I like the over too, which I’ll take at 6 for half a unit.
Avalanche vs. Kings (10:00)
I’d expect this to be a pretty fun Western Conference matchup. The Avs have been very inconsistent and have had a lousy start to the year, really struggling defensively. They seem to have figured something else recently, with three wins in their last four games, coming off a 3-2 overtime win on Monday against the Preds. The Kings, who are coming off a 3-1 loss in Calgary on Monday night, have been pretty good this season. I’d slightly lean the Kings win here as a road dog, but not enough to bet it. I considered the over on this matchup as well, but don’t think it’s worth betting, so I’ll stay off this game completely.
Ducks vs. Golden Knights (10:00)
Horrendous Pacific Division matchup here to close out the night. The Ducks are at the basement of the NHL, playing horrible hockey all season. They just ended a four game losing streak with a 4-2 win at home against the Blue Jackets on Sunday. The Golden Knights have been fantastic, and they’re my pick to win the Stanley Cup this season. They’re coming off two losses in a row though, taking their first home loss on Monday with a 5-2 loss to Carolina, and they’ve struggled on the road with a 1-3-2 record outside of the Fortress. The Knights won the first game between these teams 3-1 at home exactly a month ago. I love Vegas to bounce back here, despite being on the road. I’ll take them in regulation for a unit. I like the over as well, which I’ll take for half a unit.
Game Bets
.5u Capitals ML (-142)
1.5u Hurricanes ML (-180)
.5u Hurricanes/Utah over 6 (-118)
1u Golden Knights in regulation (-135)
.5u Golden Knights/Ducks over 6.5 (-113)
Futures
2u Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup (+1800)
Record: 105-83-4 (-5.89 units)
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