Last night was another loser on the NHL for me despite scaling down, going 1-4 to lose 2.18 units. Today we have a four game slate with solid matchups for every game, that are all too close to toss ups for me to bet. I’ll lay off the slate, but I still break down each game in depth.
Devils vs. Bruins (7:00)
Interesting matchup in the East to get the night started. The Devils have been good all season and they’re comfortably in a playoff spot in the Metro Division, but they’re in quite the slump right now. Coming off a 2-1 loss at home to the Senators on Sunday, they are on a four game losing streak with just two wins in their last eleven games. The Bruins haven’t been great this year, but with how weak the lower half of the East is, they’re still in the Wild Card mix. After a six game losing streak, they’ve since gone 3-0-1 in their last four games, bouncing back from a shootout loss in Ottawa with a 6-3 win in a matinee at home against the Sharks on Monday afternoon. Jersey’s the way better team here and I’d lean they win here at home, but I think the price in the midst of this slump they’re in is way too expensive at -210, and I don’t trust them to buy it down to regulation. I’d lean the over at 5.5, but I think the best move on this game is staying off it entirely, which is exactly what I’ll do.
Maple Leafs vs. Blue Jackets (7:30)
This should be a pretty fun matchup in the East. The Leafs are fantastic this year and lead the Atlantic Division with a three point lead over the Panthers. They’re on a three game win streak coming off a big 5-3 win at home against the Lightning (cashing my over) on Monday and have played well on both ends of the ice. The Blue Jackets, who are coming off a 3-1 loss on Long Island on Monday have been a huge surprise this season. I expected them to be at the bottom of the league but they’ve far exceeded that and are in the Wild Card mix in the East. They’ve gone 10-3-2 in their last 15 games. Although their defense has struggled, the offense has been very good. The Jackets won the first game between these teams 6-2 at home back in October. I’d expect the Leafs to answer back with a win here, but I don’t think its worth the -200. I considered the regulation line and the Blue Jackets +1.5, but I’ll stay off the side here. I’d lean the over and really considered it, but again, I’ll stay off this game completely.
Avalanche vs. Jets (9:30)
Big time matchup here between two of the playoff teams in the Central Division. The Avalanche are coming off a 3-1 loss at home to the Wild on Monday and they’re comfortably in a playoff spots, in the first Wild Card in the West, right in the mix with Minnesota and Dallas for second or third in the division. The Jets lead the Central but come into tonight off two losses in a row, losing 5-2 in Utah on Monday. Winnipeg’s won two of the previous three games between these teams, with both wins coming in shutouts, winning 1-0 and 3-0 at home, while the Avs won 5-2 at home on New Year’s Eve. I’d very slightly lean Colorado ties up the season series here at home, although I think the Jets are the more well rounded team. I’d also lean the under, but I’ll stay off this game too.
Kings vs. Panthers (10:00)
Very good cross conference matchup here and with the way these teams have played recently it makes it pretty interesting. The Kings are in third place in the Pacific with a four point lead over the Flames and have been pretty good all season. They’ve struggled a bit offensively, but have been elite on the back end. Following a five game win streak, they’ve since won just one of their last five games, coming off a 5-1 loss at home to the lowly Penguins on Monday. The Panthers are in second place in the Atlantic, three points back from the Leafs. They’re in the second half of a back to back tonight, coming off a 5-2 win in Anaheim last night and have three wins in their last four games, but just six in their last 13. I’d lean Florida wins here and the under, but with the Cup Champs on the road in the second half of a back to back, I’ll stay off this matchup. Guess I’m taking the whole night off.
Game Bets
None, I’ll be back tomorrow.
Futures
2u Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup (+1800)
Record: 313-278-13 (-40.47 units)
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