I crushed last night’s big NHL slate, going 6-2 to win 2.72 units after sweeping the board three of the four previous nights. Tonight we have a solid six game Friday night hockey slate, let’s win again!
Maple Leafs vs. Capitals (7:00)
This should be a really solid matchup in the East to start off the night. Both of these teams have played fantastic hockey. The Leafs are on a three game win streak with ten wins in their last twelve games, coming off a 3-2 win at home against the Preds with a fun finish on Wednesday night. The Capitals had a four game win streak come to an end in surprising fashion on Tuesday night, losing 2-1 in overtime to the Sharks. The first game between these teams in DC went to overtime last month with the Leafs winning 4-3 on the road. I’d lean Toronto wins again at home tonight, but not enough to bet them. I do like the over though, which I’ll take at 6 for half a unit.
Devils vs. Kraken (7:00)
Not a great cross conference matchup here. The Devils have been a solid team this year. They’re coming off a 5-1 win on the road at MSG on Sunday afternoon and have been real solid on both ends of the ice. The Kraken are coming off two wins in a row, in the second half of a back to back tonight coming off a 5-2 win on Long Island last night after beating Carolina on the road on Tuesday. They haven’t been good offensively this year though and especially with Seattle in the second half of a back to back, I like Jersey to win pretty easily at home tonight. I’ll take them in regulation for a unit. I also like the over, which I’ll take at 6 for half a unit.
Rangers vs. Penguins (7:30)
This is a real lousy Metro Division matchup but it is an interesting game with the way that both of these teams come into this game, now just a point apart in the standings with the trajectories they’re both going. The Rangers were one of the favorites in the East this year and started their season pretty good, but they’re in complete disarray right now, with just one win in their last seven games, coming off a 5-1 embarrassing loss at home on Monday night against the Devils. They’re now looking to trade their captain Jacob Trouba, which might get announced before this game even happens (hoping it’s to Buffalo, but no shot) if he waives his no trade clause. The Penguins were horrendous to start the year, but come into tonight on a four game win streak. They’re coming off a 5-4 overtime win at home against the Panthers on Tuesday night, where they were outshot 41-16, got out to a 4-1 lead in the third and blew that before Bryan Rust got Pittsburgh the win in overtime. New York won the first game between these teams easily in a 6-0 blowout on the road in early October. The Rags should win this game at home but I’m not touching them at -185. I like the over though so I’ll take that for half a unit.
Canucks vs. Blue Jackets (10:00)
Not the best game here. The Canucks have been pretty good this season, a point out of a playoff spot in the Pacific. They’re coming off a 3-2 overtime loss in Minnesota on Tuesday (winner for me), and have a 4-1-1 record in their last six games. The Blue Jackets have lost two in a row and are in the second half of a back to back tonight, coming off a 6-3 loss in Edmonton last night that hit my over on that game so easily. Columbus has been over exceeding my expectations this season, and prior to those two losses were on a six game point streak with a 5-2-1 record in their last eight games. With the Jackets in the second half of a back to back, I like Vancouver to win here and I’ll take them in regulation. I also like the over even better, which I’ll take at 6 for a unit.
Golden Knights vs. Stars (10:00)
I’m expecting this to be a fantastic matchup between two Cup contenders out of the West. The Golden Knights, coming off a 4-1 win in Anaheim on Wednesday are playing great lately, with a 6-1-1 record in their last eight games. The Stars are coming off a 3-2 loss in LA on Wednesday, ending a three game win streak for them. These teams match up very closely with a slightly better offense for Vegas and slightly better defense for Dallas. I’d very slightly lean the Knights win this one at home with Mark Stone likely back in the lineup, but not enough to bet it. I’d also lean the under, but this is a game that’s best to just stay off of.
Ducks vs. Wild (10:00)
Pretty big mismatch to end the night. The Ducks are a pretty brutal team. They were hot for a bit but come into tonight with two wins in their last six games, coming off a 4-1 loss at home to the Golden Knights on Wednesday night. The Wild have been fantastic all year. Coming off a 3-2 win in overtime against the Canucks on Tuesday, they’re on a four game win streak as they’re tied with the Jets at the top of the Central. Minnesota won the first game between these teams 5-2 on the road a month ago and I expect a similar result tonight. I’ll take the Wild in regulation for a unit. I’d lean the under but I’m not touching that.
Game Bets
.5u Maple Leafs/Capitals over 6 (-118)
1u Devils in regulation (-150)
.5u Devils/Kraken over 6 (-112)
.5u Rangers/Penguins over 6.5 (-118)
.5u Canucks in regulation (-145)
1u Canucks/Blue Jackets over 6 (-122)
1u Wild in regulation (-125)
Futures
2u Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup (+1800)
Record: 171-138-5 (-10.99 units)
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