Break even night for me on the NHL yesterday, going 4-4 on the big slate. Tonight we have just a four game slate with some solid games before a big weekend. Let’s win!
Islanders vs. Flyers (7:30)
This Metro Division matchup is pretty lousy to get tonight’s slate started. The Islanders are at the bottom of the division. They have played better as of late though, coming into tonight’s game off two wins in a row with five wins in their last seven games after a 3-1 win at home against the Blue Jackets on Monday. The Flyers have struggled all year as well, but they’re playing pretty good hockey right now. They’re in the second half of a back to back tonight, having a six game point streak come to an end with a 6-1 loss to the Rangers on the road in MSG last night. Prior to that, they were on a three game win streak with a 5-0-1 record in their last six games. Philly won the first game between these teams 5-3 earlier this month on the road. I’d lean they win again tonight to bounce back from last night’s loss and I’d lean the under slightly, but with the Flyers in the second half of a back to back, I’ll lay off this game completely.
Stars vs. Golden Knights (7:30)
What a battle here between two teams that could very easily be in the Western Conference Finals for the second time in the past three years (Vegas beat Dallas in six games on their way to lifting the Cup). Both of these teams are struggling right now a bit though while still being comfortably in playoff spots. The Stars are in third place in the Central, essentially playing for seeding with Colorado and Minnesota. They’re coming off a 2-1 loss on Tuesday against the Canes at home and have just one win in their last four games. The Golden Knights are my pick to win the Cup and they’re an elite team. They’re in the second half of a back to back tonight, coming off a much needed 4-2 win in St. Louis last night that ended their four game losing streak, just their second win in their last eight games. Vegas won the first game between these teams 3-2 at home back early in December. This game is pretty much a toss up to me. With the Knights in the second half of a back to back, and Dallas at home, I feel like the best move is staying off this game. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it. Should be a great game, and easily the best one on tonight’s state, which I’ll be sure to be tuning into.
Blackhawks vs. Lightning (8:00)
Horrendous cross conference matchup here. The Blackhawks are one of the two worst teams in the NHL. Coming off an annoying 4-3 overtime loss at home against the Canes on Monday (with Carolina not hitting my regulation bet), they have just three wins in their last 14 games, but are on a three game point streak. This team’s brutal on both ends of the ice. The Lightning are quite the opposite, playing great hockey on both offensively and defensively, right in the mix for the playoffs, currently holding the first Wild Card in the East in a tight race, and just a point back from the Bruins but with four games in hand. They are coming off two back to back losses in a row, losing 3-2 in Montreal on Tuesday and 5-3 in Toronto on Monday. I love the Bolts to get right here and bounce back against a terrible Blackhawks team. I’ll take the Lightning in regulation for a unit. I also like the over, which I’ll take for half a unit. I’ll take the Bolts team total over 3.5 for half a unit too.
Jets vs. Utah Hockey Club (8:00)
Not the best Central Division matchup to close out the night. The Jets lead the Western Conference and come into tonight off a big 3-2 overtime win on the road in Colorado on Wednesday night. They’ve gone 5-2-1 in their last eight games, playing well on both ends of the ice. Utah hasn’t been great this year, but come into tonight on a three game win streak after they went on a stretch of just two wins in the span of twelve games. They’re in the second half of a back to back tonight, coming off a surprising 4-0 shutout win in Minnesota last night. These teams split their first two games this year, with the Jets winning in a 3-0 shutout win at home in November and Utah answering with a 5-2 win just this past Monday. I like Winnipeg to win this one pretty easily tonight and I’ll take them in regulation for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but I’m not touching the total here.
Game Bets
1u Lightning in regulation (-140)
.5u Lightning/Blackhawks over 6.5 (-110)
.5u Lightning TT over 3.5 (-145)
.5u Jets in regulation (-150)
Futures
2u Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup (+1800)
Record: 317-282-13 (-40.61 units)
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