Really solid Saturday for me on the NHL yesterday, bouncing back from a couple bad days as I went 6-3 to win 3.1 units. Today we have a pretty lousy five game slate, let’s win again!
Blackhawks vs. Rangers (3:00)
Terrible cross conference matchup to start off today’s slate going up against the last week of the NFL regular season. Both of these teams blow. The Blackhawk are one of, if not the worst teams in the NHL. They ended a five game losing streak on Friday with a 4-2 win at home against the Canadiens. The Rangers are in complete disarray as a franchise and are in the second half of a back to back tonight, coming off a 7-4 loss on the road against the Capitals in yesterday’s early matinee. After going to the Eastern Conference Finals last year, they’re now at the bottom of the Metro Division and have just five wins in their last 21 games. Chicago won the first game between these teams 2-1 on the road in December. I’d slightly lean the Rangers answer back here on the road and I’d lean the over, but not a chance in hell I’m betting this game. I’lll lay off it entirely.
Bruins vs. Islanders (6:00)
Not the best matchup in the East with both of these teams on three game losing streaks, both coming off losses to the Leafs. The Bruins are in the second half of a back to back tonight after losing 6-4 on the road in Toronto last night. Prior to their three game losing streak they were pretty hot, with a 5-1-1 record in the previous seven games. The Islanders blow, at the bottom of the Metro division, tied with the Rangers. They’re on a three game losing streak after losing 2-1 on Thursday in the second half of a home and home against the Leafs at home on Long Island. They have just two wins in their last eight games. Boston won the first game between these teams 6-3 on the road in November. Even in the second half of a back to back, I like the B’s to win this one at home tonight and I’ll take them for half a unit at pretty much the pick’em price. I’d lean the under, but not enough to bet it.
Hurricanes vs. Penguins (6:00)
This Metro Division matchup isn’t great. The Hurricanes have been a very solid team, comfortably in third place in the division with an eight point lead over the Blue Jackets and Penguins. They’re in the second half of a back to back tonight, coming off a 4-0 shutout loss at home to the Wild yesterday and have been in a bit of a slump with just two wins in their last six games. Pittsburgh’s been pretty lousy this season, especially after their slow start. They’re coming off a 3-2 shootout loss to the Panthers on Friday night, tying the game to ruin my regulation bet on Florida with 20 seconds left just to lose anyway. The Pens have played decent lately though, with a 10-5-1 record in their last 16 games. Carolina dominated both previous matchups between these teams with a 4-1 win on the road in October and a 5-1 win at home in November. I like them to complete the season sweep tonight and bounce back from yesterday’s loss. I’ll take the Canes in regulation for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Maple Leafs vs. Flyers (7:00)
Another bad Eastern Conference matchup here. The Leafs are playing quite well this season, leading the Atlantic Division as they come into tonight on a three game win streak. They’re in the second half of a back to back, coming off a 6-4 win at home against the Bruins last night and are on a three game win streak. The Flyers stink, with just three wins in their last nine games, coming off a 5-2 loss in Vegas on Thursday. This should be an easy win for the Leafs at home, even in the second half of a back to back. I’ll take them for a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to take it at 6.5.
Ducks vs. Lightning (8:00)
Pretty terrible cross conference matchup to end the night. The Ducks are a terrible team, but have been hot lately with six wins in their last ten games, having a three game win streak come to an end on Friday night with a 3-2 loss in Edmonton. The Lightning have been very good this season, but come into tonight on a three game losing streak, in the second half of a back to back coming off a 2-1 loss in LA last night. Even in the second half of a back to back, I like Tampa to end this losing streak with a win on the road tonight. I’ll take the Bolts in regulation for a unit. I considered laying the -192, but I feel like that’s just a bit too expensive so I’ll go with the regulation line instead. I’d lean the under, but I’m not touching it.
Game Bets
.5u Bruins ML (-112)
.5u Hurricanes in regulation (-150)
1u Maple Leafs ML (-175)
1u Lightning in regulation (-115)
Futures
2u Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup (+1800)
Record: 267-224-10 (-17.14 units)
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