I lost my only play on the Devils last night, losing 0.58 units on their 3-0 shutout loss in LA. We’re back with a big twelve game NHL slate tonight. Let’s crush it!
Panthers vs. Hurricanes (7:00)
Fantastic matchup between two top notch playoff teams in the Eastern Conference. The Panthers won both previous games between these teams this season, scoring six goals in each of them, a 6-3 win on the road and then 6-0 in a shutout at home the following night for the second half of a back to back home and home. Florida’s coming off a 5-3 win on Monday at home against the Rangers, bouncing back nicely from getting shut out 4-0 two games in a row. They’ve been very solid, tied for the Atlantic Division lead with the Leafs. Carolina’s comfortably in third place in the Metro, but have struggled a bit with just two wins in their last six games, coming off a 4-3 shootout loss in Columbus on New Year’s Eve. I like the Panthers to complete the season sweep at home tonight and I’ll take them for half a unit along with half a unit on the over with the line at just 5.5.
Rangers vs. Bruins (7:00)
I don’t think this Eastern Conference matchup’s great. The Rangers have been a horrible disappointment this season and they’re in complete disarray as a franchise. They’re own a four game losing streak coming off a 5-3 loss in Florida on Monday and have just four wins in their last 19 games. I’m not sold on the Bruins being good either. On Tuesday afternoon they lost 3-1 to the Caps (winner for me), but have played pretty well since their coaching change, with a 9-4-1 record in their last 14 games. I like the B’s to win this one on the road and I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d lean the under, but not enough to bet it.
Capitals vs. Wild (7:00)
This should be an awesome cross conference matchup tonight. The Capitals after giving up a goal in the first minute of their game on Tuesday afternoon scored three unanswered the rest of the game on their way to a 3-1 victory at home against the Bruins. They lead the Metro Division with a point lead over the Devils and have four wins in their last six games. The Wild, coming off a 5-3 win at home against the Preds on New Year’s Eve are comfortably in second place in the Central and exceeding a lot of expectations this year. I’d lean the Caps win this one at home today, but I don’t like it enough to lay the -165. The total’s pretty close to a coin flip to me and way too close to bet, but I’d slightly lean the under.
Blue Jackets vs. Red Wings (7:00)
Pretty lousy matchup between two lower tier teams in the East. The Blue Jackets have been a pain in the ass for teams to play at times but then go on horrendous runs. Right now they’ve played more to the latter, and come into tonight with a 4-1-1 record in their last six games after a surprising 4-3 shootout win at home against the Hurricanes on Thursday night. The Red Wings have been pretty awful but have won their last two games, being the Penguins and Capitals 4-2 in both of those games. I’d very slightly lean the Jackets with the edge at home here but not a chance I’m betting it. Both of these teams have been awful defensively though, so I do like the over, which I’ll take on the alternate line of 6 for half a unit.
Islanders vs. Maple Leafs (7:30)
This is kind of another lousy Eastern Conference matchup for the second half of a home and home between these teams. After the Islanders won the first game between these teams 6-3 in Toronto on the 21st, the Leafs answered back with a 3-1 win at home on New Year’s Eve. The Islanders have been pretty terrible this season and have just two wins in their last seven games, one of those being the win against the Leafs and the other was against the Penguins (not great). The Maple Leafs lead the Atlantic, tied with the Panthers at the top of the Division and have been solid this year. I like Toronto to win this one on the road and I think there’s value on the Leafs essentially at a pick’em, which I’ll take for a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to take it.
Stars vs. Senators (8:00)
Kinda an interesting cross conference matchup. The Stars have been solid this year, definitely a playoff team, either ending up in the top three of the Central, currently a point back from Colorado for third place, or a Wild Card. They’re on a four game point streak with a 3-0-1 record in their last four games, coming off a 4-2 win at home to the Sabres on Tuesday night. The Sens were slow to start the season, but have been playing quite well lately, with nine wins in their last twelve games, coming off a 3-1 win in Minnesota on Sunday. I’d lean the Stars win this one, but I don’t think they’re with laying the -190. I’d lean the over as well at 5.5, but I think the best move on this game is laying off it entirely.
Jets vs. Ducks (8:00)
This is a terrible Western Conference matchup, a big mismatch between one of the top teams and one of the bottom teams in the conference. What makes it a bit interesting though is that Anaheim actually pulled off a win in this first game between them with a 3-2 win at home on December 18th. Winnipeg’s been fantastic this year, at the very top of the NHL standings. They had a four game win streak come to an end on Tuesday with a 5-2 loss in Colorado. The Ducks shocked me bringing the Devils and Oilers in their last two games, but despite them winning five of their last eight, I still think this team blows. I love the Jets to answer back from that first loss with an easy win at home and I’ll take them in regulation for 1.5 units. I’d very slightly lean the under, but didn’t even consider betting it.
Avalanche vs. Sabres (9:00)
This isn’t a good matchup for my Sabres and I don’t expect much out of this game. The Avalanche started their season slow with a bunch of injuries to deal with but have played great lately, now in third place in the Central, on a five game win streak coming off a 5-2 win at home against the league leading Jets on Tuesday night. They have nine wins in their last eleven games, playing really well on both ends of the ice. My Sabres blow, and after going on a three game win streak after their 13 game losing streak, they come off a 4-2 loss in Dallas to close out 2024. The first game between these teams this season in Buffalo was ridiculous in the midst of that losing streak. The Sabres got out to an early 4-0 lead in the first period and then completely crumbled on the way to a 5-4 loss at home. I’d expect another Avs win tonight at home, this one likely not in that comeback fashion. I’ll take Colorado in regulation for a unit. I also like the over, which I’ll take for half a unit.
Flames vs. Utah HC (9:00)
This is quite the boring Western Conference matchup tonight as I don’t think either of these teams are good. The Flames have played decent lately with a 4-1-2 record in their last seven games, coming off a 3-1 win at home against the Canucks on Tuesday. Utah comes into tonight on on a five game losing streak after a hot run, coming off a 4-1 loss in Edmonton on Tuesday. Back in October, the Utah Hockey Club dominated the first game between these teams, winning 5-1 at home. I’d slightly lean Calgary wins this meeting at home and I’d slightly lean the under, but I’m not touching this game.
Golden Knights vs. Flyers (10:00)
Big mismatch in this cross conference game. The Golden Knights have been spectacular and my pick to win the Stanley Cup this season. They had a shocker of a loss on Tuesday to end a six game win streak, losing 3-2 at home to the Habs, just their second loss in their last twelve games. The Flyers have struggled this season but are coming off a 4-0 shutout win in San Jose on Tuesday, their third win in their last five (and eight games). The first game between these teams in Philly needed a shootout, but Vegas won it 5-4. I like them to bounce back and get a win in easier fashion at home tonight where they are 15-4. I’ll take the Knights in regulation for a unit. I’d lean the over, but I don’t like it enough to bet on.
Kraken vs. Canucks (10:00)
Not a great Pacific Division matchup for the second time in a week. These teams just played last Saturday in Vancouver, with Seattle scoring three straight in the last 4:45 of regulation to force overtime and then completed the 5-4 comeback with Vince Dunn’s overtime winner. The Kraken followed that up with a 5-2 win at home against Utah on Monday for their second in a row after a five game losing streak. The Canucks have just one win in their last six games, with a 1-2-3 record in that span, coming off a 3-1 loss in Calgary on Tuesday. I think a Vancouver’s the better team here and I’d lean they answer back with a win, along with the under, but I’m not touching this game.
Sharks vs. Lighting (10:30)
Terrible cross conference mismatch to end the night. Biggest one on the slate. The Sharks, coming off a 4-0 loss at home to the Flyers on Tuesday blow. They’re one of the worst teams in the NHL, coming into tonight on an eight game losing streak with just one win in their last twelve games. The Lightning on the other hand have been fantastic. They’re coming off a 5-2 loss to Montreal at home on Sunday, but they’ve won eight of their last eleven. The first game between these teams was a complete shit kicking, with the Bolts dominating their way to an 8-1 blowout. I expect a pretty similar result on the road. I’ll take Tampa in regulation for 1.5 units. I’d lean the over, but I’ll just stick with the Lightning here.
Game Bets
.5u Panthers ML (-125)
.5u Panthers/Hurricanes over 5.5 (-112)
.5u Bruins ML (-108)
.5u Blue Jackets/Red Wings over 6 (-129)
1u Maple Leafs ML (-112)
1.5u Jets in regulation (-160)
1u Avalanche in regulation (-140)
.5u Avalanche/Sabres over 6.5 (-122)
1u Golden Knights in regulation (-135)
1.5u Lightning in regulation (-170)
Futures
2u Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup (+1800)
Record: 257-210-10 (-11.15 units)
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