Pretty terrible night on the NHL on Wednesday as I went 3-7, losing 4.78 units. Today we have another huge 14 game slate loaded with day games to bounce back after a nice day off for Thanksgiving!
Flyers vs. Rangers (1:00)
Pretty lousy Metro Division matchup to start off the day. The Flyers are coming off a 3-2 overtime win in a lousy game in Nashville on Wednesday, their third straight game picking up at least a point, as they’ve gone 6-2-2 in their last ten games. This team still isn’t great though. The Rangers are a way better team but coming off a 4-3 loss loss in Carolina on Wednesday, they’re now on a four game losing streak. I like the Rags to start off the day with a win on the road to end that losing streak and I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Wild vs. Blackhawks (2:00)
This Central Division matchup isn’t great. The Wild, who are coming off a 1-0 shutout win in Buffalo on Wednesday night in a game that they were outplayed throughout, bounced back from two losses in a row and have been very good in their 14-4-4 start to the season. The Blackhawks shocked me on Wednesday as they blew out the Stars 6-2 at home. This team sucks though, struggling especially offensively. In the first game between these teams, Chicago won 2-1 in overtime at home earlier this month. I like the Wild to win here at home and I’ll take them in regulation for half a unit.
Sabres vs. Canucks (3:00)
Interesting cross conference matchup for my Sabres this afternoon. After a very good sweep of the three California teams on the road, we came back home on Wednesday and lost in a 1-0 shutout in a game that I thought the Sabres were the far better team, but couldn’t resolve Gustavsson and lost on a 4 on 1 odd man rush they gave up in the first period. With that loss, we’ve now lost seven of our last ten games. The Canucks surprised me on Wednesday as well, losing 5-4 in Pittsburgh. They’ve been inconsistent, with two wins in their last five games. Although I think Vancouver’s the better team here, I’d slightly lean the Sabres bounce back at home this afternoon and would lean the over, but not enough to bet it. I’ll lay off this game completely.
Red Wings vs. Devils (3:00)
This isn’t the best Eastern Conference matchup. Detroit had a lousy start to the season, but they’ve won three of their last four games, coming off a 2-1 overtime win at home against the Flames on Thursday. The Devils have been really solid, but had a three game win streak come to an end on Wednesday with a shocking 3-0 shutout loss at home to the Blues. Detroit won the first game between these teams 5-3 at home in October. I like the Devils to answer back with a win here and I’ll take them in regulation for half a unit. I’d slightly lean the under, but definitely not enough to bet it.
Capitals vs. Islanders (3:00)
Not the best game here in the Metro. The Capitals have been very good this season and even without Ovi in the lineup, they’re coming off wins against both Florida teams, beating the Lightning 5-4 on Wednesday and the Panthers 4-1 on Monday. The Islanders stink on the other hand. Coming off a 6-3 loss at home to the Bruins on Wednesday, they have just one win in their last six games. I like the Caps to win here at home and I’ll take Washington for a unit. I’d lean the under, but not enough to bet it.
Hurricanes vs. Panthers (3:00)
This should be a great matchup in what I’d say would be the favorite matchup for the Eastern Conference Finals this year. Both of these teams are spectacular. The Canes lead the Metro and come off two big wins after a 4-3 win at home against the Rangers on Wednesday. The Panthers are my pick to go to the Cup Finals out of the East for the third straight year and after a lousy four game losing streak, they bounced back on Wednesday with a 5-1 blowout win against the Leafs at home. I’d lean Carolina and the over in this one, but not enough to bet on either. I’ll lay off this great game completely.
Blue Jackets vs. Flames (3:00)
This is such a boring cross conference matchup. The Blue Jackets have exceeded expectations this season, coming into today with a 9-9-3 record as a team that’s a pain in the ass for good teams to face. They had a three game win streak come to an end on Wednesday with a 4-3 overtime loss at home against the Habs. The Flames have exceeded expectations as well. They come into today off two losses in a row, losing 2-1 in overtime in Detroit on Wednesday. The team that dictates play here wins. If its a high scoring matchup, I’d take Columbus at home where if its a defensive grind, Calgary wins it. I’ll lay off this matchup entirely.
Predators vs. Lightning (3:00)
Not a great cross conference matchup here as Stammer faces his former team again. In the first game between them in his return to Tampa, he recorded two points in a 3-2 overtime loss for the Preds on the road. Nashville’s been the biggest disappointment of this season by far. This team’s horrible. Coming off a 3-2 overtime loss at home against Philly on Wednesday they have just three wins in their last twelve games. The Lightning are coming off a 5-4 loss to the Caps but have been solid this season, especially offensively. I like Tampa to win here again on the road and I’ll take them for a unit at the pick’em price. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it. I’ll also take half a unit shot on Stammer to get a point as well.
Ducks vs. Kings (3:30)
Pretty lousy California matchup here. The Ducks have been pretty lousy this season, but are coming off a 5-2 win in Seattle on Wednesday and have won four of their last six games. The Kings have been inconsistent. They’re coming off a big 4-1 win against the Jets on Wednesday. LA won the first game between these teams easily, 4-1 on the road back on October 20th. I like the Kings to win here again and I’ll take them in regulation for half a unit. I’d lean the under, but not enough to bet it.
Sharks vs. Kraken (3:30)
This Pacific Division matchup stinks. The Sharks are the worst team in the league and after a bit of a hot run, they’ve won just one of their last five games, coming off a 4-3 loss at home against the Senators on Wednesday. The Kraken have been pretty inconsistent, but have won six of their last nine games, as they’re coming off a 5-2 loss at home to the Ducks in the second half of a home and home. I like Seattle to win this one on the road and I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d slightly lean the under, but I’m not touching it.
Bruins vs. Penguins (6:30)
In years past this would have been a classic of a game, but this year it’s a pretty lousy matchup. The Bruins have won three of their last four games since firing Jim Montgomery, coming off a 6-3 win on Long Island on Wednesday. The Penguins have been awful, but ended a three game losing streak on Wednesday with a 5-4 win at home against the Canucks. I like the B’s to win here at home and I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d lean the under slightly since neither of these teams can score, but with how awful the Pens have been defensively, I’m not betting that.
Golden Knights vs. Jets (6:30)
This is such a great matchup out West between the top teams in each division. The Golden Knights lead the Pacific and have been very good. They had a three game win streak come to an end on Wednesday with a 2-1 shootout loss in Colorado. They’ve been far better at home than on the road, as they have an 8-2 record at the Fortress. The Jets have been the best team in the NHL in their 18-5 start to the year, playing elite hockey on both ends of the ice. They have take two losses in their last three games though, coming off a 4-1 loss in LA on Wednesday. I’d very slightly lean Winnipeg bounces back with a win on the road here tonight in Vegas and I’d slightly lean the under, but the best play on this game is none at all. Can’t wait to watch it.
Stars vs. Avalanche (9:00)
Another really good matchup here in the Central as these teams are tied in points for that third spot in the division. The Stars have come off two road losses in a row, shockingly getting blown out 6-2 in Chicago on Wednesday night. The Avs after their terrible start to the season have gotten healthier and way better lately. Coming off a 2-1 shootout win at home against the Golden Knights on Wednesday, they have seven wins in their last nine games. I feel like this matchup is a complete toss up on the side. I do like the over though, which I’ll take for half a unit, expecting both teams to light the lamp.
Utah HC vs. Oilers (9:00)
Not a great Western Conference matchup to close out the night. Utah’s been pretty lousy this year. Coming off a 3-2 overtime win in Montreal on Tuesday, they have just two wins in their last six games (the other came against Pittsburgh, who also blows). The Oilers have been a bit disappointing as well, but are coming off a pretty big 6-2 win at home against the Rangers on Saturday. They’ve gone 5-2-1 in their last eight games. I like the well rested Oilers to win this one on the road and I’ll take Edmonton for half a unit. I’d lean the over but just stick to the side in this one.
Game Bets
.5u Rangers ML (-155)
.5u Devils in regulation (-125)
1u Capitals ML (-155)
1u Lightning ML (-110)
.5u Steven Stamkos over .5 point (-115)
.5u Kings in regulation (-120)
.5u Kraken ML (-155)
.5u Bruins ML (-175)
.5u Stars/Avalanche over 6.5 (-115)
.5u Oilers ML (-166)
Futures
2u Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup (+1800)
Record: 141-120-4 (-14.09 units)
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A Town's Zone 