I went 1-2 on last night’s small NHL slate, losing 0.85 units. Today we have a giant 15 game slate with a few day games. Let’s crush it!!
Panthers vs. Bruins (1:00)
I don’t expect much out of this early Atlantic Division matchup. The Panthers have been very solid all season, comfortably in second place in the division. The Cup Champs are in a little bit of a slump for them with just three wins in their last seven games, but they’re coming off a 4-1 win in Utah on Wednesday night and seem to be back to playing their usual solid hockey. The Bruins are in a big time slump right now though. Coming off a 4-1 loss to the Lightning on Thursday night on the road, they’re on a six game losing streak. Florida won both previous games between these teams, winning 6-4 at home in the first week of the season and 4-3 on the road the following week. I’ll take the Panthers in regulation for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Sabres vs. Kraken (4:00)
Lousy matchup that I don’t think anyone outside of either Buffalo or Seattle (and even those two places) give a shit about. The Sabres are a horrible team, dead last in the Eastern Conference, but they come into tonight off two really solid wins in a row, with UPL putting together a 35 save shutout in Ottawa on Thursday night after they had a great 4-3 team shootout win at home against Washington on Monday. Seattle isn’t any better, coming into tonight on a four game losing streak with just two wins in their last eleven games, coming off a 6-2 loss in Columbus on Thursday. I’d lean the Sabres win at home and the over, but I’m not touching this game.
Penguins vs. Senators (4:00)
Bad matchup in the East, but this could be a pretty fun game. Both of these teams have been terrible on the year, and recently. The Pens are coming off a surprising 5-3 win at home against the Oilers on Thursday, ending a four game losing streak. They have hung in a lot of games lately though, picking up at least a point in 15 of their last 20 games. The Senators are coming off getting shut out 4-0 by the Sabres at home on Thursday night, making it a four game losing streak and have just one win in their last seven games after they had gone on a six game win streak. The first game between these teams went to overtime with the Sens winning 3-2 at home about a month ago. I think Ottawa’s the better team here, especially defensively and I’d lean they win this one but this isn’t a game you cash in on. I’d also lean the over, but I’ll stay off this game completely.
Maple Leafs vs. Canucks (7:00)
I don’t think this cross conference Canadian matchup is great. The Leafs have been a fantastic team this season, leading the Atlantic Division. They had a five game win streak come to an end on Thursday, losing 6-3 on the road in Carolina. Toronto’s been really solid on both ends of the ice. The Canucks are struggling right now, still in the mix for the last Wild Card in the West, but I just don’t think they’re a good team. They’re in the second half of a back to back tonight, coming off getting shut out 2-0 in Carolina last night, expending their losing streak to four straight games and they have just two wins in their last eleven games. I like the Maple Leafs to win this one at home quite a bit. I’ll take Toronto in regulation for a unit. I’d lean the under, but not enough to bet it.
Canadiens vs. Stars (7:00)
This has become a very interesting cross conference matchup to me. The Habs were horrendous to start the season but have completely come alive. They’re in the second half of a back to back tonight, coming off their third straight overtime win in a row, beating the Capitals 3-2 on the road last night. They have nine wins in their last eleven games and are right in the Wild Card mix in the East. This is another tough matchup for them though at home against the Stars. Dallas is on a six game win streak, coming off a 4-1 win in Philly on Thursday and are essentially playing for seeding in the West. I’d lean the Stars win this one on the road, but I think there’s massive value on Montreal as a +180 home dog. I’m actually going to take the Habs +1.5 here for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but I’ll just stick to the puck line.
Devils vs. Lightning (7:00)
Fantastic Eastern Conference matchup here between two solid teams that both aren’t playing their best right now. The Devils are comfortably tied in second place in the Metro Division with the Canes, but come into tonight’s game with just one win in their last six game road trip, coming off a 3-2 overtime loss in MSG in the Battle of the Hudson. Tampa’s coming off two wins in a row after a four game losing streak, with a 3-2 win at home against Carolina on Tuesday and a 4-1 win at home against Boston. The Lightning won both previous games between these teams convincingly, winning 8-5 on the road in October and then 4-0 in a shutout at home in November. I’d lean the Devils avoid the season sweep with a win at home tonight and I’d slightly lean the under, but I’m not betting this game. Should be a fun one to watch.
Flyers vs. Ducks (7:00)
Pretty lousy cross conference matchup between two shitty teams. The Flyers are on a four game win streak with just five wins in their last 17 games, coming off a 4-1 loss at home against he Stars on Thursday. The Ducks are a horrible team, but haven’t been terrible lately with a 4-2-1 record in their last seven games. Philly won the first game between these teams on the road, 3-1 a couple weeks ago. I’d slightly lean Anaheim wins this one on the road as a pretty big dog, but I’m not touching the side on this game. I do like the under though since neither of these teams can score. I’ll take the alternate under 6 here for half a unit.
Blackhawks vs. Oilers (7:00)
Horrendous mismatch here and the books know it with the line on this game coming in at -360 for Edmonton. The Blackhawks are the worst team in the NHL and they’re in the second half of a back to back, coming off a 5-3 loss in Detroit last night (winner for me) and they have just two wins (both impressive) in their last nine games. Team’s horrible on both ends of the ice. The Oilers have been very good, comfortably tied for second place in the Pacific with the Kings. They are coming off a surprising 5-3 loss in Pittsburgh on Thursday night, ending a four game win streak. They’ve got a 15-4-1 record in their last 20 games, playing great on both ends of the ice. The Blackhawks won the first game between these teams with a 5-2 win on the road in the first week of the season. This is like the most perfect “bounce back” kind of spot I think there is for Edmonton. Chicago on the second half of a back to back, the Oilers coming off a loss to an inferior team, and the Blackhawks winning that first game between these teams. I LOVE the Oilers here. The problem is its so tough to bet with the prices on it. The only thing from a betting perspective I like here is the Oilers puck line, which I’ll take for 1.5 units. I’d lena the under, but not enough to bet it.
Blues vs. Blue Jackets (7:00)
This isn’t the best matchup but it should be a pretty fun game. These teams just played last week in Columbus with the Blue Jackets winning 6-4 at home with a very fun third period that saw eight goals get scored. The Blues were pretty bad to start the year but they’re playing pretty well lately, with five wins in their last eight games, coming off a 6-2 win at home against the Ducks on Thursday to bounce back from the two 6-4 losses in Columbus and Minnesota. The Blue Jackets are fiesty and a fun team to watch this season, either playing horrible or lightning the lamp at will. They’ve just been inconsistent. Right now they’re playing well, on a three game win streak with six wins in their last eight games, coming off a 6-2 win at home against the Kraken on Thursday. I’d lean the Blues win this one at home tonight to split the season series, but I think it’s overpriced at -170, so I’ll stay off the side. I love the over though, which I’ll take at 6 for 1.5 units. Both teams should be able to light the lamp here.
Jets vs. Avalanche (7:00)
Great game here between two of the top four teams in the Central. The Jets lead the division, in the second half of a back to back tonight, coming off a 2-1 overtime loss at home against the Kings last night in a game I’m glad I stayed off. Winnipeg’s in a little bit of a slump right now though with just one win in their last five games. The Avalanche are on fire right now, playing dominant hockey. Coming off a 6-1 blowout win in Minnesota on Thursday, they have an 8-1-1 record in their last ten games. These teams split their first two games, with the Jets winning a 1-0 shutout in November at home and the Avs answering back with a 5-2 win at home on New Year’s Eve. I think Winnipeg’s the more complete, better team, but Colorado’s playing better lately. I’d slightly lean the Avalanche win this one on the road, but I don’t like it enough to bet on it. I’d also lean the over, but think the best play on this game is laying off it completely.
Predators vs. Capitals (8:00)
This is not a very interesting game to me. The Predators, who are coming off a 5-2 loss on the road to the Jets on Tuesday, have been the biggest disappointment of the year. There were high expectations for them and instead they’re one of the worst teams in the league. On the other hand, the Capitals didn’t have much expectations for them this season besides the Ovi goal record chase, but instead have been fantastic, leading the Eastern Conference with a three way tie for first overall with Winnipeg and Vegas. They’re in the second half of a back to back tonight coming off a 3-2 overtime loss in Montreal last night. In the first game between these teams, the Caps won it 3-2 at home. I like them to bounce back here on the road and get a win in Nashville. I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d lean the under but I’m not touching it.
Utah Hockey Club vs. Islanders (9:00)
This is such a lousy matchup that I don’t think anyone gives a shit about. Utah’s been pretty bad lately, in the second half of a back to back tonight following a 2-1 win at home against San Jose last night, just their second win in their last nine games. The Islanders are coming off two wins in a row but have been horrible this season as well, tied with Philly for the worst in the Metro Division. They did shock me with a 4-0 shutout win in Vegas for a big loser for me on Thursday night though. The first game between these teams on Long Island in the first week of the season needed overtime with Utah winning 5-4. I’d lean Utah wins this one again at home and I’d lean the under slightly, but no shot I’m betting this game.
Flames vs. Kings (10:00)
This matchup in the Pacific is pretty boring and not a great mismatch. The Flames aren’t a good team despite being in the mix for the last Wild Card in the West. They’re coming off a 3-2 overtime win in Anaheim on Tuesday and have seven wins in their last 19 games, especially struggling offensively. The Kings have been playing great, in a tie with the Oilers for second place in the Pacific Division. Coming off a 2-1 win in overtime last night on the road in Winnipeg, they’re on a five game win streak with a 13-2-2 record in their last 17 games. Calgary won the first game between these teams 3-1 back in November. I like LA to answer back here and even in the second half of a back to back tonight, I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d lean the under, but I’ll stay off that.
Golden Knights vs. Rangers (10:00)
Huge cross conference matchup here that I like quite a bit. The Golden Knights let me down big time on Thursday night, putting up a dud of a game at home as they got shut out 4-0 by the Islanders, ending a three game win streak with just their second loss in their last eleven games. Vegas is at the top of the league and my pick to win the Cup this year, playing elite hockey on both ends of the ice. The Rangers on the other hand are in complete disarray as a franchise. They do have a 3-1-1 record in their last five games, coming off a 3-2 overtime win at home against Jersey on Thursday in the Battle of the Hudson, but just have seven wins in their last 24 games. Brutal for a team that went to the Eastern Conference Finals last year. I’ll take the Knights for a unit along with half a unit on the puck line. I’d lean the over, but I’ll just stick with the VGK here.
Sharks vs. Wild (10:00)
Horrible mismatch in the West to end the night. San Jose’s one of the worst teams in the NHL. They’re in the second half of a back to back tonight coming off a 2-1 loss in Utah and have only three wins in their last 16 games. The Wild though have been very good this year. They’re in second place in the Central, comfortably in a playoff spot. They just got their asses kicked on Thursday night, getting blown out 6-1 at home to Colorado, ending a four game win streak with just their second loss in their last eight games. Minnesota won the first game between these teams 5-2 on the road in November and I expect another similar result tonight. I’ll take the Wild in regulation for a unit. I think the total’s a complete toss up that I’m staying off.
Game Bets
.5u Panthers in regulation (-120)
1u Maple Leafs in regulation (-120)
.5u Canadiens +1.5 (-148)
.5u Flyers/Ducks under 6 (-118)
1.5u Oilers -1.5 (-155)
1.5u Blues/Blue Jackets over 6 (-115)
.5u Capitals ML (+120)
.5u Kings ML (-112)
1u Golden Knights ML (-170)
.5u Golden Knights -1.5 (+145)
1u Wild in regulation (-120)
Futures
2u Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup (+1800)
Record: 284-239-10 (-20.7 units)
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