Second perfect sweep in a row for me on the NHL last night, going 3-0-1 to win 2 units. Tonight we have a big ten game slate, let’s keep on rolling!
Sabres vs. Avalanche (7:00)
I don’t think is going to be a great matchup for my Sabres tonight. After going on a hot run including sweeping the California road trip, Buffalo is now on a three game losing streak, coming off a disappointing 3-0 shutout loss on Long Island on Saturday night. The Avs started the season terribly, but have since gone on a solid run with six wins in a span of seven games, but have since gotten just one win in their last four games, coming off a 4-1 loss at home to the Oilers on Saturday. I think the Sabres struggle here and I’ll take Colorado for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Bruins vs. Red Wings (7:00)
Boring game here in the Atlantic. Both of these teams stink. The Bruins have played alright recently though. Coming off a 6-3 win at home against the Habs on Sunday, they’ve won four of their last six games since firing Jim Montgomery. The Red Wings haven’t been any better. They’re coming off a 5-4 loss in overtime to the Canucks on Sunday afternoon, and have just three wins in their last nine games. The B’s won the first game between these teams a few weeks ago 2-1 on the road. I’d lean they win again here at home, and I’d lean the under, but not enough to bet either. I’ll lay off this game entirely.
Canadiens vs. Islanders (7:00)
This is an awfully boring Eastern Conference matchup between two pretty lousy teams here. The first game between them went to a shootout in October, with the Isles winning 4-3 at home. The Habs, coming off a 6-3 loss in Boston on Sunday, have just one win in their last five games. The Isles, coming off a 3-0 win at home against the Sabres, just their second win in their last eight games. I think the Islanders are the better team here, and should win here on the road, but not a chance I’m betting it. I’d lean the over but the best play on this game is nothing at all.
Penguins vs. Panthers (7:00)
Although both of these Eastern Conference teams come into this game on three game win streaks, this is a horrible mismatch. The Penguins, coming off a 6-2 win against the Flames on Saturday are on a bit of a hot run, but they’ve been horrendous this season, on both ends of the ice. The Panthers on the other hand have been one of the best teams in the league and still my pick to go to the Cup Finals out of the East for the third straight season. After a bit of a dip with a four game losing streak and just one win in the span of seven games, they’ve since rattled off three in a row, beating the Hurricanes twice, coming off a 6-0 shutout win at home on Saturday and the Leafs. This should be an easy Florida win on the road and I’ll take them for a unit, along with half a unit on the puck line. I also like the over, which I’ll take for half a unit as well at the alternate line of 6.
Capitals vs. Sharks (7:00)
Terrible mismatch for this cross conference game. The Capitals have been spectacular on both ends of the ice, far exceeding expectations this season. Even without Ovechkin in the lineup, they’ve been on a roll lately, coming into tonight’s game on a four game win streak, coming off a 6-5 win in Jersey on Saturday. The Sharks are on a bit of a hot run. They’ve won three of their last four games, beating Seattle twice in a back to back home and home on Friday and Saturday. Like the price shows at -275, this should be an easy win for Washington at home. I’ll take them in regulation for a unit. I also like the over a lot, which I’ll also take for a unit.
Hurricanes vs. Kraken (7:00)
Another lousy cross conference matchup here. The Hurricanes will look to bounce back here after losing both of their games in a home and home back to back against the Panthers on Friday and Saturday. They’ve been fantastic this season though on both ends of the ice. The Kraken haven’t been great. They lost back to back on Friday and Saturday as well, getting beat by the Sharks, one of the worst teams in the league, and are on a three game losing streak. Carolina won the first game between these teams 4-1 on the road in October and I like them to win with a similar result tonight. I’ll take the Canes in regulation for a unit. I’d lean the under, but I’m not touching that.
Wild vs. Canucks (8:00)
This should be a really solid game as both of these teams have been good this season. The Wild are on a three game win streak, coming off a 3-2 overtime win at home against the Preds, and they’ve been fantastic on both ends of the ice. The Canucks are on a good run right now as well. Coming off overtime wins in Detroit and Buffalo, they’ve won four of their last five games. They’ve been good offensively, but have struggled a bit on the back end. I like Minnesota with their better defense to get them the win here at home and I’ll take them for half a unit. The total’s a complete toss up in this game. Feels like we’re getting 5 or 6 goals here, that makes the 5.5 not worth touching.
Jets vs. Blues (8:00)
Not a great matchup in the Central. After their start to the season that was the best in NHL history, the Jets have cooled down quite a bit lately, coming into tonight on a three game losing streak with just one win in their last five games. Statistically they’ve been incredible on both ends of the ice. The Blues have not, struggling quite a bit this season. They’re on a three game point streak since hiring Jim Montgomery, coming off a 3-2 overtime loss at home against the Flyers on Saturday. Winnipeg won the first game between these teams 3-2 in St. Louis in October and I expect them to end this losing streak with a win at home tonight. I’ll take the Jets in regulation for half a unit. I like the under too, which I’ll take at the alternate line of 6 for half a unit.
Flames vs. Blue Jackets (9:00)
There’s a ton of emotion behind this game between the two teams that Johnny Hockey played for, but the game itself is a pretty boring and lousy matchup. The Flames come into tonight on a four game losing streak, coming off a few embarrassing losses back to back, losing 6-2 in Pittsburgh on Saturday and 5-2 in Columbus on Friday. The Blue Jackets on the other hand have been pretty solid lately, on a six game point streak with five wins in that span, coming off a 6-3 win in Chicago on Sunday. They won the first game between these teams 5-2 at home on Friday last week and I’d lean they win again here one the road, but I’m not touching the side. I do like the over though, which I’ll take for half a unit.
Golden Knights vs. Oilers (10:00)
This should be a great Pacific Division matchup for the nightcap. The Golden Knights are coming off an embarrassing 6-0 shutout loss at home against Utah on Saturday, but they’ve been really solid this season, especially at home. That loss ended a five game point streak for them, just their second loss in their last six games. The Oilers are on a nice run right now, although they’ve been a bit disappointing this year. They’re on a three game win streak coming off a 4-1 win in Colorado on Saturday, and have a 7-2-1 record in their last ten games. Vegas won the first game between these teams 4-2 in Edmonton early in November, and I’d lean they win again as a home dog tonight, but I’m not betting the side here. I like the over though in what should be a fun game and I’ll take it for half a unit.
Game Bets
.5u Avalanche ML (-162)
1u Panthers ML (-180)
.5u Panthers -1.5 (+140)
.5u Panthers/Penguins over 6 (-145)
1u Capitals in regulation (-160)
1u Capitals/Sharks over 6.5 (-102)
1u Hurricanes in regulation (-155)
.5u Wild ML (-142)
.5u Jets in regulation (-140)
.5u Jets/Blues under 6 (-140)
.5u Flames/Blue Jackets over 6.5 (-105)
.5u Oilers/Golden Knights over 6.5 (-110)
Futures
2u Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup (+1800)
Record: 158-128-5 (-9.47 units)
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