Losing night yesterday on the NHL thanks to the Lightning and my Sabres, as I went 2-5, losing 3.22 units. Tonight we have a five game slate, let’s bounce back!
Maple Leafs vs. Wild (7:00)
This could be a fun cross conference matchup to start the night with both of these teams comfortably in playoff spots and tied in points, or it could be a boring dud with the way the Wild are playing right now. The first game between these teams in Minnesota back in November was tight, with the Wild winning 2-1 in overtime at home. Toronto’s been very good this year, a point ahead of the Panthers for first place in the Atlantic Division. They are coming off two losses in a row, after a 2-1 loss in Ottawa in the Battle of Ontario on the road, and have just three wins in their last eight games. The Wild are still hanging onto third place in the Central but are pretty solid in at least having a playoff spot, even if they drop to the first Wild Card. They’re struggling right now though, with just two wins in their last seven games, coming off a needed 4-2 win on the road against the Blackhawks on Sunday. Their best player, Kirill Kaprizov will be out again with injury for the next 4-6 weeks, which is a huge hit to their lineup. I like the Leafs to tie up the season series at home tonight and I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d lean the under slightly, but not enough to bet it.
Panthers vs. Kings (7:00)
Pretty solid and interesting matchup between these two cross conference playoff teams. The Panthers are a point back from Toronto for the lead in the Atlantic Division. Although the Cup Champs are coming off a 4-1 loss in Vegas on Sunday night (horrible timing by the NHL on the same night as the AFC Championship), they have three wins in their last five games. The Kings are in third place in the Pacific, leading Calgary by three points and in the midst of a slump. Coming off a 5-2 loss on Monday in Detroit, they have just one win in their last five games, which was the first time these teams played this season, last Wednesday in LA, with the Kings winning 2-1. I like the Panthers to answer back here at home, and I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d lean the under, but I don’t like it enough at 5.5, juiced up to the under to take it.
Devils vs. Flyers (7:00)
These Metro Division teams are in the second half of a home and home tonight for the third time they’re playing in the past couple weeks. Although the Devils are definitely the better team this season, Philly actually won both previous games between them, winning 3-1 in Jersey on the 18th and then 4-2 on Monday night at home. The Devils still have a comfortable third place spot in the Metro but they’re in a pretty big slump right now now with just four wins in their last 14 games, plus they’re going to be without their starting goaltender Jacob Markstrom for a while as he’s on the IR for at least another month. The Flyers aren’t a great team, but they’ve played pretty good lately with a 6-2-1 record in their last nine games. I still like the Devils to win here tonight and just don’t see the Flyers going up 3-0 in the season series, especially on the road after the win on Monday. It’s a bit pricey, but I’ll lay the -185 on Jersey tonight. I’d lean the under, but I’m not touching it at 5.5.
Predators vs. Canucks (9:00)
This is a lousy, yet interesting Western Conference matchup tonight. The Predators have been awfully disappointing this season, but they’re playing easily their best hockey right now. I know they beat the Sharks twice and the Blackhawks in this span, but they’ve won five of their last six games, coming off a 5-2 loss on the road to the Ducks on Saturday (loser for me). Despite having won their last two games, coming off a 5-2 win in St. Louis on Monday, the Canucks are in a pretty big slump right now, with just six wins in their last 19 games falling behind the Flames for the second Wild Card spot. They’re actively shopping two of their best players, Elias Pettersson and JT Miller, who can’t get along. Nashville won both prior games between these teams on the road, winning 5-3 in November and then a 3-0 shutout in January. I’d lean Smashville wins again tonight at home to complete the season sweep, but I’m definitely not betting the Preds. I do like the over though, which I’ll take for half a unit.
Utah Hockey Club vs. Penguins (9:30)
Terrible cross conference matchup to end the night. Utah isn’t a great team this season, and after a three game win streak they’ve since lost their last two in a row, coming off a 3-1 loss in Ottawa on Sunday. The Penguins have been horrible all season and will likely be sellers at the deadline. They’re in last place in the Metro, on a three game losing streak with just three wins in their last 14 games, coming off a pathetic 2-1 loss in San Jose on Monday night. Utah dominated the first game between these teams in Pittsburgh back in October with a 6-1 blowout. I’d lean Utah wins here again at home tonight and the over, but I’m not touching this game.
Game Bets
.5u Maple Leafs ML (-170)
.5u Panthers ML (-150)
.5u Devils ML (-185)
.5u Predators/Canucks over 5.5 (-110)
Futures
2u Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup (+1800)
Record: 330-295-13 (-46.14 units)
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