I had another terrible night on the NHL yesterday, going 3-7 to lose 4.6 units. I’m going to scale back a bit and be more selective. Let’s win on tonight’s eight game slate.
Canadiens vs. Lightning (7:00)
This should be a pretty solid game with both of these Atlantic Division teams playing great hockey right now and although they’re on opposite sides of the standings, they’re only separated by three points. Montreal’s been one of the hottest teams in the league with a 12-3-1 record in their last 16 games, coming off a 5-4 overtime win against the Rangers on Saturday. The Lightning are in the second half of a back to back, coming off a 5-3 win in Toronto last night, but they’ve been good recently, in the third spot in the division with a 5-2-1 record in their last eight games. The Canadiens won the first game between these teams 5-2 on the road at the end of December. My initial read on this game was to take the Habs +1.5, but I think the Bolts are the much better team and win this one on the road and the price is cheap enough that I’ll take them for half a unit here. I also like the over, which I’ll take at 6 for half a unit as well.
Rangers vs. Senators (7:00)
Interesting Eastern Conference matchup. The Rangers, coming off a 5-4 overtime loss in Montreal on Sunday have seemingly figured something out, on an eight game point streak and a 6-1-3 record in their last ten games. The Senators are playing quite well right now too with a 5-0-1 record in their last six games. The first game between these teams back in November was tight with the Rags winning 2-1 at home. I’d lean they win again here tonight and I’d lean the under slightly, but I’m not touching this game.
Flyers vs. Red Wings (7:00)
This game’s a tough one. I think both of these teams stink, but they’ve both been decent recently. The Flyers are playing pretty good hockey right now though with a 4-0-1 record in their last five games, including wins over the Panthers and Devils in that span. The Red Wings went on a hot run with an impressive seven game win streak, but have since won just one of their last four games, coming off a 4-1 loss in Dallas on Sunday and a 5-1 loss to the Lightning on Saturday. These teams split their first two games with a 4-1 win for Philly at home and then a 6-4 answer back from Detroit at home six days later. I think the side here is a complete toss up and I’m not touching it. I like the over though at 5.5, which I’ll take for half a unit.
Predators vs. Sharks (8:00)
Horrible matchup in the West here between two of the worst teams in the NHL. The Predators have been a gigantic disappointment this season after a trip to the playoffs last year and the huge additions of Stammer and Marchessault in the offseason (who do both lead this team this season). They’re on a bit of a surprisingly three game win streak right now though, coming off a big 6-2 win at home on Saturday against the Wild. The Sharks on the other hand are I think the second worst team in the league behind Chicago. Coming off a 6-3 loss in Boston yesterday afternoon (one of my few winners) they have just three wins in their last 17 games. This should be an easy win for Smashville at home, but no shot this team is ever worth the -425 and even buying it down to regulation or the puck line aren’t worth touching. If anything there could be some value on San Jose, but not a chance I’m betting this game. I’d lean the under, but I’m staying off that too. I’ll lay off it completely.
Stars vs. Hurricanes (8:00)
This should be a great cross conference game between two very good teams. The Stars are in third place in the Central and come into tonight off a 4-1 win at home on Sunday night cashing an easy bet for me against Detroit. The Canes are comfortably in a playoff spot in second place in the Metro and have been playing good hockey. They’re in the second half of a back to back, letting me down by needing overtime yesterday to beat Chicago 4-3 on the road yesterday. Carolina won the first game between these teams 6-4 at home in November. With the Hurricanes in the second half of a back to back, I’d lean Dallas answers back here tonight and I’d lean the under, but not enough to bet either, so I’ll stay off this game here.
Oilers vs. Capitals (9:00)
I wouldn’t be surprised in the slightest if this cross conference game ends up being a preview of the Stanley Cup Finals. These are two of the best teams in the league. The Oilers are coming off a 3-2 loss in Vancouver on Saturday night that had an electric finish to it, ending a four game win streak with just their second loss in their last ten games. The biggest impact of that game though is that Edmonton will be without their best player in the league as Connor McDavid’s suspended for three games after a cross check to the face of Conor Garland. The Caps are the best team in the East, on a four game win streak and ten game point streak as they come off a 4-1 win against the Penguins on Saturday. I think Washington’s the better team here and I’d lean they win on the road tonight without McDavid in the lineup for the Oilers, but I’m not touching that. I’d also lean the under, but I’m not betting this game.
Ducks vs. Panthers (10:00)
Huge mismatch here for the second half of a long distance home and home. These teams just played in Florida on Saturday with the Panthers winning an easy 3-0 shutout at home. The Cup Champs have been a bit inconsistent recently though with just five wins in their last twelve games. The Ducks stink and are one of the bottom teams in the league, coming into tonight on a three game losing streak with just one win in their last seven games. I like the Cats to win this one on the road and I’ll take them in regulation for half a unit (scaling down, normally this would be a unit play for me). I’d slightly lean the over, but I’ll just stick with Florida.
Canucks vs. Sabres (10:00)
Pretty bad nightcap for this cross conference game. The Canucks are struggling right now with turmoil between JT Miller and Elias Pettersson in that locker room. Their coming off a heated 3-2 win over the Oilers at home on Saturday night, just their fourth winning their last 17 games. They’ve really struggled offensively. My Sabres have been pathetic with just six wins in our last 25 games and honestly have been a struggle to even watch night in and night out. We’re in the second half of a back to back tonight, coming off a 6-4 loss in Seattle yesterday afternoon. Vancouver won the first game between these teams 4-3 on Conor Garland’s overtime game winner on the road. I fully expect another Canucks win here cause the Sabres blow, but I’m not touching it. I do like the over though, which I’ll take for half a unit.
Game Bets
.5u Lightning ML (-142)
.5u Lightning/Canadiens over 6 (-132)
.5u Flyers/Red Wings over 5.5 (-130)
.5u Panthers in regulation (-155)
.5u Canucks/Sabres over 5.5 (-130)
Futures
2u Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup (+1800)
Record: 312-274-13 (-38.29 units)
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