Pretty much broke even on the NHL last night for a very slight 0.14 unit profit, going 9-7-1 on the huge slate after a hot start early. Today we have a five game slate going up against football. Let’s win again!
Blackhawks vs. Islanders (3:00)
Pretty lousy matchup to start off the day. These teams just played three days ago with the first half of this home and home on Thursday with the Islanders winning 5-4 at home in a game that was never really close. They had a 5-1 lead halfway through the third period and Tyler Bertuzzi scored twice in the last 1:10 of the game to make the score look less pathetic. The Blackhawks are easily one of the worst teams in the league, with just one win in their last eight games. I don’t think the Islanders are a great team by any means, but they have three wins in their last four and are clearly the better team in this game. I don’t love limiting them to regulation only, but I’m absolutely not laying the -198, so I’ll take the Isles in regulation for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Maple Leafs vs. Sabres (5:00)
This is a bad mismatch in the Atlantic Division for this nearby QEW rivalry with both of these teams in the second half of back to backs coming off losses last night, one expected, the other not so much. The scheduling on this game’s absolutely horrendous with the Bills playing one of the biggest NFL games of the year as the same time, so no one in Buffalo’s even going to watch this likely tenth straight loss for the Sabres. The Leafs have played pretty well on the season, but have just two wins in their last five games after a really hot run prior to that. They surprised me with a 4-2 loss in Detroit last night. My Sabres are coming off a 4-2 loss last night as well, playing decent but not being good enough to get the win as the offense couldn’t generate chances against the Caps in our nations capital, making it nine straight losses for Buffalo. Pathetic franchise from top down. I fully expect Toronto to trounce us tonight to bounce back from their loss last night at home and make it ten straight losses for the Sabres. I’ll take the Leafs in regulation for 1.5 units. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Hurricanes vs. Blue Jackets (5:00)
On paper this is a pretty big mismatch and the books see that too, as the Canes come in as -400 favorites. Carolina’s a very good team, but they’re in a slump right now with just two wins in their last seven games, coming off a 3-0 shutout loss at home against the Senators on Friday night’s only game, where they outshot the Sens 32-22 but codlin’t beat Linus Ullmark. The Blue Jackets stink and this should be a good get right spot for the Hurricanes. Columbus has just one win in their last seven games, coming off a 4-3 overtime loss to the Ducks at home yesterday. The Jackets actually won the first game between these teams in November, winning 5-4 in a shootout at home. I like Carolina to get right here at home, especially with the Blue Jackets having won that first matchup and in the second half of a back to back, and I’ll take the Canes puck line for half a unit. I like the over as well, which I’ll take at the alternate line of 6 for half a unit.
Blues vs. Rangers (6:00)
Pretty boring cross conference matchup here. Both of these teams haven’t been great, tied in the standings with 31 points and they’re in the second half of back to backs following losses yesterday. I’ve lost on the last two Blues games, as they’re coming off a 2-1 loss in overtime to the Stars last night where I had Dallas in regulation, after I had the Blues in their 4-3 home loss to the Sharks on Thursday. They haven’t been too bad lately though since hiring Jim Montgomery to be their new head coach, with a 5-2-2 record in their last nine games. The Rangers were such an easy win for me as I bet against them at home against the Kings yesterday where they lost 5-1. New York’s on a complete tail spin with just three wins in their last twelve games, with those wins coming against the Habs, Penguins, and Sabres. In Monty’s first game behind the St. Louis bench, the Blues beat the Rangers 5-2 in the first game between these teams this season a few weeks ago on the road at MSG. I do still think the Rangers are the better team in this matchup, but would lean the Blues win it at home today and see some value on St. Louis as a +120 home dog. That said I don’t love it enough to bet it. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it, so I’ll lay off this game entirely.
Wild vs. Golden Knights (6:00)
Absolutely fantastic Western Conference matchup to end the night with what there’s a chance could be a preview of the Western Conference Finals (although there’s so many good teams at the top of the West, there’s really so many matchups it could be). Both of these teams have been very good this season and both come into it in the second half of back to backs after playing matinees yesterday. The Wild beat the Flyers 4-1 at home for their seventh win in their last nine games, a point behind the Jets for first place in the NHL. The Golden Knights had a four game win streak come to an end with a 6-3 loss on the road in Edmonton in another monster matchup, but still lead the Pacific Division. I’d very slightly lean Minnesota wins this one at home, and I’d slightly lean the under, but not enough to bet either. Should be a spectacular game!
Game Bets
.5u Islanders in regulation (-110)
1.5u Maple Leafs in regulation (-135)
.5u Hurricanes -1.5 (-142)
.5u Hurricanes/Blue Jackets over 6 (-135)
Futures
2u Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup (+1800)
Record: 202-171-8 (-17.86 units)
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