After a slow start to the day, I had another profitable night on the NHL yesterday, going 6-6 and winning 1.16 units. Today we have another loaded Sunday with nine games, let’s keep winning!
Blues vs. Sabres (3:00)
Not a great cross conference matchup to start off the day. The Blues are coming off two wins in a row with a 7-4 win at home against the Preds on Friday night after going into the break with a 4-0 shutout win in Detroit. My Sabres after their 13 game losing streak are coming off two high scoring wins in a row as well, beating the Islanders 7-1 on the road to go into the break and winning 6-2 at home against the Blackhawks to come out of it on Friday. The first game between these teams in Buffalo in November needed OT with the Sabres winning 4-3 at home. I’d lean the Blues answer back with a win at home, but not enough to bet it. I do like the over though at just 5.5, which I’ll take for half a unit.
Ducks vs. Oilers (4:00)
Terrible Pacific Division matchup here with both of these teams in the second half of a back to back. The Ducks are terrible, and although they have three wins in their last six games are coming off two losses in a row after a 3-1 loss at home to the Flyers yesterday. The Oilers have been fantastic, but are coming off a loss yesterday afternoon as well, coming off a 4-3 overtime loss in LA yesterday, just their second loss in their last ten games. I fully expect the Oilers to bounce back here and I’ll take them in regulation for a unit. I’d slightly lean the under, but not enough to bet it.
Red Wings vs. Capitals (5:00)
Lousy Eastern Conference mismatch here. Coming out of the Christmas break after firing their head coach, the Red Wings lost 5-2 on Friday at home to the Leafs for their fourth straight loss. They have struggled big time with just three wins in their last twelve games. The Capitals have been really solid this season and are in the second half of a back to back today coming off a 5-2 win against Toronto on the road last night capped off with an empty net goal from Ovi in his return. Even in the second half of a back to back, I like the Capitals to win this one and I’ll take them for half a unit on the road. I’d lean the under slightly but there’s no edge in betting that by any means.
Lightning vs. Canadiens (5:00)
Pretty huge mismatch here in the Atlantic Division. The Lightning have been fantastic with six wins in their last seven games, coming off a 6-2 win at home against the Rangers last night (easy double winner for me on the ML and puck line). The Habs are in the second half of a back to back as well, giving me a triple loser with their 4-0 shutout win in Florida against the Panthers yesterday afternoon. I like Tampa a lot here at home and I’ll take them in regulation for a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Penguins vs. Islanders (5:30)
Lousy matchup for the second half of a home and home back to back between these two Metro Division teams. Both of these teams suck this season. Last night the Islanders won 6-3 at home after they had won the previous matchup 4-3 in a shootout at home early in November. I think the winner of this game’s a complete toss up and I’m not touching it. I do like the over though, which I’ll take for half a unit.
Wild vs. Senators (8:00)
Interesting cross conference matchup to get the late slate going. The Wild have been fantastic this season. After a four game losing streak they’ve won their last two games, coming off a 3-2 overtime win in Dallas on Friday to come back from the Christmas break. The Senators have played well lately with six wins in their last eight games, but have lost their last two games with Ullmark out, in the second half of a back to back tonight after a 4-2 loss in Winnipeg last night (winner for me). I like Minnesota to win here and I’ll take the Wild at home for a unit. I’d slightly lean the under, but not enough to bet it.
Golden Knights vs. Flames (8:00)
This isn’t a great Pacific Division matchup. The Golden Knights have been fantastic and my pick to win the Cup. They’re in first place in the NHL standings, on a five game win streak with nine wins in their last ten games, coming off a 6-3 win in San Jose on Friday where they scored two shorthanded goals in the span of 23 seconds to start the third period. The Flames are in the second half of a back to back tonight, coming off a 3-1 win in San Jose last night. Vegas dominated the first game between these teams back in October, winning a 5-0 shutout at home. The Knights have been elite at home this season with a 14-3 record in the Fortress. I like them to stay hot here, especially with Calgary in the second half of a back to back, and I’ll take them in regulation for 1.5 units. I’d lean the over, but not enough to take it.
Blackhawks vs. Stars (8:30)
Pretty huge mismatch in the Central Division. The Blackhawks are one of the worst teams in the NHL, on a three game losing streak coming off a 6-2 loss in Buffalo where they got dominated on Friday night. The Stars have been a pretty good team, but coming off a 3-2 overtime loss at home to the Wild on Friday night, blowing a 2-0 lead going into the third period, they have just one win in their last four games. This will be the fourth and final meeting between these teams this season, with the home team winning all three previous games, a 4-2 Stars win, a 3-1 Stars win, and then a 6-2 Blackhawks win. I like Dallas to bounce back here and I’ll take them in regulation for a unit. I’d slightly lean the over, but I don’t like it enough to bet on.
Kings vs. Flyers (9:00)
Not a great game to close out the night with both of these teams in the second half of back to backs The Kings are coming off a 4-3 overtime win at home against the Oilers yesterday afternoon on Quinton Byfield’s game winner 3:19 into OT. They’ve been a pretty solid team this season. The Flyers on the other hand have been pretty lousy but they’re coming off a 3-1 win yesterday afternoon in Anaheim. The Kings won the first game between these teams easily a couple weeks ago with a 7-3 win on the road. I like them to win again tonight at home where they’re 11-2-1, and I’ll take them for a unit. The total’s a complete toss up to me.
Game Bets
.5u Blues/Sabres over 5.5 (-110)
1u Oilers in regulation (-170)
.5u Capitals ML (-140)
1u Lightning in regulation (-175)
.5u Islanders/Penguins over 6 (-110)
1u Wild ML (-162)
1.5u Golden Knights in regulation (-155)
1u Stars in regulation (-155)
1u Kings ML (-148)
Futures
2u Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup (+1800)
Record: 244-199-10 (-9.93 units)
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