Lousy night for me on yesterday’s big NHL slate, going 3-6 to lose a whopping 5.57 units. Tonight we have just a five game slate to bounce back. Let’s cash some bets.
Red Wings vs. Blackhawks (7:00)
This cross conference matchup blows. Both of these rivals suck. The Red Wings are only better than the Sabres in the Atlantic, but have been hot lately, coming into tonight’s game on a five game win streak, coming off a 3-2 overtime win at home against the Senators on Tuesday. The Blackhawks are the worst team in the NHL but shocked me with their 3-1 win at home against the Avalanche on Wednesday, a big double loser for me. That was just the second win for Chicago in their last eight games. Detroit won the first game between these teams easily with a 4-1 win on the road in November. I like them to win again here and I’ll take the Red Wings for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Capitals vs. Canadiens (7:00)
Big mismatch here in the East but both of these teams are playing well right now. The Capitals, coming off a 2-1 overtime win at home against the Canucks on Wednesday, have been fantastic all season and lead the Eastern Conference. The Canadiens haven’t been all that good this season, but they’re on a hot run right now with eight wins in their last ten games, coming off a 5-4 overtime win at home against the Canucks on Monday. Washington won both previous games between these teams with a 6-3 win at home on Halloween and then 4-2 on the road early in December. I like the Caps to win here again and I’ll take them in regulation for half a unit. I like the over as well, which I’ll take at 6 for half a unit.
Hurricanes vs. Canucks (7:00)
I think this is a pretty boring cross conference matchup. The Hurricanes are a solid team, comfortably in third place in the Metro Division. They’re an inconsistent team though and have struggled a bit recently with a 4-4-1 record in their last nine games, coming off a 3-2 loss in Tampa, giving up the game winner with 52 seconds left on Tuesday night. I don’t think the Canucks are a good team either, in the Wild Card mix for the last spot in the West. Coming off two overtime losses in DC and Montreal, they have just two wins in their last ten games, but have picked up at least a point in eight of their last eleven. The first game between these teams in Vancouver went to overtime as well, with the Canes winning 4-3. I feel like the same kind of thing is going to happen again tonight with Carolina winning in a close game. I just don’t think its worth betting on anything in this matchup, and I’ll stay off this game entirely.
Jets vs. Kings (8:00)
This should be a great Western Conference matchup between two playoff teams. The Jets still lead the Central Division, a point behind the Golden Knights for first place in the NHL, but they have struggled a bit recently, ending a three game losing streak on Tuesday with a 5-2 win at home over the Predators. The Kings have been fantastic lately as well, with a five point lead over the Canucks for third place in the Pacific. LA is on a four game win streak coming off a 2-1 win at home against the Lightning on Saturday and have a 12-2-2 record in their last 14 games. The Kings won the first game between these teams 4-1 at home towards the end of November. I’d very slightly lean the Jets win this one at home, but everything about this game is a complete toss up, I’ll stay off this game completely. I’ll probably tune in to this one on the third TV tonight.
Utah Hockey Club vs. Sharks (9:00)
Lousy matchup to close out the slate out West. Utah isn’t paying good right now. Coming off a 4-1 loss at home to the Panthers on Wednesday (win for me), they have just one win in their last eight game and haven’t been able to score. The Sharks are one of the worst teams in the league. They’re coming off a 4-2 loss at home against Vegas (double winner for me to close out Tuesday’s sweep) and have just three wins in their last 15 games. These teams split their first two games, with San Jose winning the first one 5-4 in overtime on the road in October and Utah answering back with a 4-3 win on the road in December. I like Utah at home quite a bit to bounce back here, but in no fucking way am I betting them at -285 or buying them down to a still expensive regulation line when they’ve been playing like shit. I’d lean the under since neither team can score, but I’m not touching this matchup. I’ll lay off this one and end my hockey night early.
Game Bets
.5u Red Wings ML (-185)
.5u Capitals in regulation (-150)
.5u Capitals/Canadiens over 6 (-120)
Futures
2u Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup (+1800)
Record: 283-237-10 (-19.85 units)
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A Town's Zone 