I crushed football but had a lousy Sunday on the NHL yesterday, going 4-5 to lose 2.32 units, cooling down a hot run. Let’s bounce back here on tonight’s three game slate before a loaded slate for New Year’s Eve tomorrow!
Panthers vs. Rangers (7:00)
Pretty lousy Eastern Conference matchup between the two teams that faced each other in last season’s Eastern Conference Finals. That won’t be happening this year though as this is a big mismatch with how poorly the Rangers have played. Florida is coming off two 4-0 shutout losses in a row at home, going into the Christmas break losing to the Lightning last Monday and coming out of it with a loss to the Habs on Saturday. The Panthers are still a very good team, tied with the Leafs in first place in the Atlantic. The Rangers on the other hand are a complete disaster. Coming off a 6-2 blowout loss in Tampa on Saturday, this organization’s in total disarray, with just four wins in their last 18 games. Horrendous. The Panthers won the first gam between these teams 3-1 on the road in October. I love Florida to bounce back with a win here at home tonight. I’ll take them in regulation for 1.5 units. I’d lean the under, but not enough to bet it.
Jets vs. Predators (7:30)
This Central Division match isn’t great, but it’s a hell of a lot better than it would’ve been a couple weeks ago. The Jets are tied with Vegas in points at the top of the NHL standings and they’ve played great the entire season. They’re on a three game win streak, coming off a 4-2 win against the Sens at home on Saturday and have an 8-2-1 record in their last eleven games. The Preds have been awful this season and have easily been the biggest disappointment of the season. Lately they’re not playing terrible though, with a 4-2-1 record in their last seven games, coming off a 7-4 loss in St. Louis on Friday. Nashville won the first game between these teams in November, with a three goal third period to get them the 4-1 victory at home. I know the Predators aren’t playing horrible, but the price on this game is way too cheap on Winnipeg. I’ll take the Jets for a unit. I like the under too with Saros vs. Hellebuyck likely in goal, which I’ll take at 6 for half a unit.
Kraken vs. Utah Hockey Club (8:00)
Another kind of lousy Western Conference matchup to close out the night. The Kraken scored three goals in the final 4:45 of regulation on Saturday afternoon to come from behind and beat the Canucks 5-4 on the road in overtime coming out of the break. That win ended a five game losing streak for Seattle. Utah comes in on a three game losing streak off a 4-1 loss at home to Colorado on Saturday, but have played pretty well lately with an 6-2-2 record in their last ten games. I like Utah to win here on the road and I’ll take a stab on them for half a unit. I’d slightly lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Game Bets
1.5u Panthers in regulation (-135)
1u Jets ML (-125)
.5u Jets/Predators under 6 (-115)
.5u Utah ML (-155)
Futures
2u Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup (+1800)
Record: 248-204-10 (-12.25 units)
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