I lost my two NHL plays last night on the Avs/Canucks game, losing 1.24 units. Tonight we have a big ten game slate. Let’s bounce back with a solid night!
Canadiens vs. Sabres (7:00)
This might be the lousiest Atlantic Division matchup of the year. Both of these teams blow. The first game between them saw a ton of goals, at 7-5 Habs win on the road in Buffalo in November, where Nick Suzuki scored twice in 22 seconds to end the second period and then three unanswered to end the game with the win. Montreal’s the worst team in the East, just a point behind Buffalo. They’re coming off a 4-2 loss in Winnipeg on Saturday, their second loss in a row. The Sabres took their tenth straight loss on Sunday evening, losing 5-3 in Toronto in another pathetic showing. This franchise is in complete disarray from the top down with no signs of getting better. I’d slightly lean the Canadiens win this one at home, but not a fucking chance I’m touching the side in this game. I do like the over though since neither of these teams can keep the puck out of their own net, which I’ll take for a unit.
Lightning vs. Blue Jackets (7:00)
Bad mismatch here in the East. The Lightning have been a good team again this season, coming into tonight with four wins in their last five games, coming off a 5-1 win in Seattle. The Blue Jackets stink. They’ve shown a handful of bright signs at points this season, but they’re playing bad right now with just one win in their last seven games, coming off a 4-1 loss in Carolina on Sunday. Columbus actually won the first game between these teams about a month ago, winning 7-6 in overtime at home, erasing an early 3-0 lead for the Bolts. I like Tampa to answer back tonight and I’ll take them in regulation for a unit. I also like the over, which I’ll take for half a unit at the alternate 6 line.
Penguins vs. Kings (7:00)
This matchup isn’t great. The Penguins after capturing some success after their brutal start to the year. Coming off a 3-2 overtime loss in Ottawa on Saturday, they have a 2-2-1 record in their last five after going on a four game win streak. Not awful lately. The Kings on the other hand are having a great year. Coming off an easy 5-1 win in MSG on Saturday afternoon against the Rangers to bounce back form their loss in Jersey on Thursday, they have seven wins in their last eight games. I fully expect an LA win here on the road and I’ll take them for a unit at a solid price of -142. I’d lean the over, but not quite enough to bet it with the Kings trending under.
Hurricanes vs. Islanders (7:30)
Kind of a boring Metro Division matchup here that’s a bit of a mismatch. The Hurricanes, coming off a 4-1 win in Columbus on Sunday are comfortably in third place in the division. They’re in a bit of a slump lately though with just three wins in their last eight games. The Islanders have struggled this year, despite having three wins in their last five games, but have just five wins in their last 15 games. One of those wins came against the Canes in the first matchup between these teams, winning 4-3 at home ten days ago. I like Carolina to answer back here and I’ll take them in regulation for half a unit. I’d lean the under slightly, but not enough to bet it.
Blues vs. Devils (8:00)
This isn’t a great cross conference matchup tonight. The Blues, coming off a 3-2 win against the Rangers at home on Sunday are playing better since hiring Jim Montgomery with a 6-2-2 record in their last ten games. The Devils have been a very good team, a point back from Washington for the Metro Division lead. The Blues won the first game between these teams with a 3-0 shutout on the road. I like the Devils to answer back here on the road and they’re the significantly better team. I’ll lay the -185 on them for half a unit. I’d lean the under but not enough to bet on the total.
Predators vs. Rangers (8:00)
Terrible cross conference matchup here. Both of these teams stink. The Predators have had an awful season. Coming off a 5-2 loss in Colorado on Saturday, they have just one win in their last ten games. Completely pathetic after the high expectations for them going into the season. The Rangers are on a complete nose dive. They started the season hot as was expected for this team to be a contender in the East, but for the last month they’ve been brutal. Coming off a 3-2 loss in St. Louis on Sunday, they have just three wins in their last 13 games. I think New York’s the better team here and I’d slightly lean they win on the road in Smashville, but with how bad this team is playing right now I’m not touching this game. I’d also lean the under, but there’s no edge in betting anything on this matchup.
Blackhawks vs. Capitals (8:30)
Bad cross conference mismatch here. The Blackhawks are one of the worst teams in the league. They’re coming off a 5-3 win against the Islanders on Sunday (in a game I should’ve stayed off) and have just two wins in their last nine games, struggling on both ends of the ice. The Capitals are in the second half of a back to back tonight, having a four game win streak and nine game point streak snapped with a 3-1 loss in Dallas last night. This team’s been spectacular, even without Ovi, who they should get back next week, and I love them to bounce back here from last night’s loss. I’ll take the Caps in regulation for a unit. I think the total’s a complete toss up.
Flames vs. Bruins (9:00)
This isn’t a great cross conference matchup but I think it could end up being a real fun game. The Flames are coming off a big 3-0 win against the Panthers on Saturday, which was just their third win in their last ten games. The Bruins are coming off a big 5-1 win in Vancouver on Saturday that I didn’t even sniff cashing in on, and after their slow start to the year they’ve now won eight of their last twelve games. Last month Boston won the first game between these teams 4-3 at home in overtime. I’d lean they win again, but not enough to bet it. I do like the over though at 5.5, which I’ll take for half a unit.
Kraken vs. Senators (10:00)
Boring matchup for this cross conference game. Neither of these teams are great. The Kraken are coming off a 5-1 loss at home against the Lightning on Saturday (easy win for me), but haven’t been bad lately with a 4-2-1 record in their last seven games. The Senators had an awful start to the year but come into tonight on a three game win streak with five wins in their last six games, coming off a 3-2 overtime win at home against the Penguins on Saturday night. Ottawa shut out Seattle in the first game between these teams early in November with a 3-0 win at home. I feel like this game’s a complete toss up. My only lean here would maybe be the under, but I’m not touching this game. No value anywhere.
Sharks vs. Jets (10:30)
Big mismatch in the West to end the night. The Sharks are one of the worst teams in the NHL. Coming off a 4-3 loss to Utah on Saturday where they gave up the game winning goal with 44 seconds left, they have just one win in their last five games after a three game win streak. The Jets on the other hand are the top team in the NHL standings. Coming off a 4-2 win at home against the Habs on Saturday, they have a 4-1-1 record in their last six games. Winnipeg put on a show in the first game between these teams this year with an 8-3 win at home. I fully expect another easy win for them here and I’ll take them in regulation for a unit. I’d lean the over, but I don’t like it enough to bet it.
Game Bets
1u Sabres/Canadiens over 6 (-112)
1u Lightning in regulation (-170)
.5u Lightning/Blue Jackets over 6 (-135)
1u Kings ML (-142)
.5u Hurricanes in regulation (-165)
.5u Devils ML (-185)
1u Capitals in regulation (-120)
.5u Bruins/Flames over 5.5 (-105)
1u Jets in regulation (-135)
Futures
2u Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup (+1800)
Record: 204-175-8 (-18.33 units)
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A Town's Zone 