I got a much needed sweep last night on the NHL, going 5-0 to win 3.94 units, capped off with the Jackets coming all the way back to win. Today we start a big weekend with a nine game slate, let’s win again!
Panthers vs. Blackhawks (1:00)
Huge mismatch in this cross conference game to start off the day. The Panthers have been very good this season, and with four wins in their last six games, coming off a 3-0 shutout win against the Kings on Wednesday, they just passed Toronto for first place in the Atlantic Division. The Blackhawks on the other hand are coming off a 3-2 loss on Thursday in Carolina (where the Canes couldn’t hit my puck line), and are one of the worst teams in the NHL, with just four wins in their last 18 games. Shockingly Chicago won the first game between these teams 3-1 at home back in November. That makes me love the Cup Champs to start the day with an easy win even more. The price is nuts at -400, but I’ll take Florida’s puck line for half a unit. I’d slightly lean the over, but didn’t think of betting it.
Bruins vs. Rangers (3:30)
This should be a pretty good Eastern Conference game. The Bruins are a point back from Tampa for the second Wild Card spot in the East, coming off two blowout losses, losing 6-2 at home to the Jets on Thursday after a 7-2 loss in Buffalo on Tuesday. The Rangers have been even worse on the season. They seemed to have figured something out, going on an 8-0-3 run, but have since lost their last two games, coming off a 4-0 shutout loss at home to the Canes on Tuesday. Yesterday the Rags made another big trade, acquiring JT Miller from the Canucks. New York won the first game between these teams 2-1 on January 2nd. I’d lean they win again here and the over (which I did actually consider betting), but I’m not touching this game.
Senators vs. Wild (7:00)
This game doesn’t jump off the page, but I could see this actually being a really fun game. The Senators are in third place in the Atlantic Division, on a three game win streak right now with a point lead over Tampa. They’re coming off a 5-4 overtime win against the Capitals (which I bet on terribly) on Thursday, blowing a 3-1 lead going into the second period, but still winning on Thomas Chabot’s OT goal. The Wild after a bit of a slump are on a three game win streak, coming off a big 4-0 shutout win in Montreal on Thursday and are comfortably in a playoff spot, in third place in the Central. Ottawa won the first game between these teams 3-1 on the road late in December. I’d slightly lean they win again here, but not enough to bet it. I do like the under though, which I’ll take for half a unit.
Lightning vs. Islanders (7:00)
A month ago I would’ve thought this game would suck, but with the way these Eastern Conference teams have played lately, it’s actually a pretty interesting matchup. The Lightning dropped back to the second Wild Card spot in the East, falling a point behind Ottawa for third in the Atlantic. They’re coming off a much needed 3-0 shutout win at home against the Kings on Thursday, just their second win in their last six games. The Islanders were brutal to start the year, but they’re right back in the mix now as they come into tonight on a six game win streak with nine wins in their last eleven games, coming off a 3-0 shutout win in Philly on Thursday. I do think Tampa’s the better team here and I’d lean the Bolts get it done to end the Isles win streak at home, and I’d lean the under, but I’ll lay off this game completely. Have to be more selective.
Penguins vs. Predators (7:00)
Brutal cross conference matchup. Both of these teams blow. The Penguins are in last place in the Metro Division and although they’re coming off a 3-2 overtime win in Utah on Wednesday, they have just four wins in their last 15 games. The Predators have been even worse and are easily the biggest disappointment of the season. They come into tonight on the second half of a back to back after a 4-3 loss to the Sabres on the road last night (win for me on the over), giving up a late goal with 2:04 left in regulation. After a five game win streak, they’ve now lost their last three in a row. The first game between these teams went to overtime, with Pittsburgh winning 5-4 on the road in December. With Nashville in the second half of a back to back, I’d lean the Pens win this one at home, but I’m not betting them, that’s for sure. I do like over here, which I’ll take at the alternate line of 6 for half a unit.
Capitals vs. Jets (7:00)
This should be an awesome cross conference game between the top two teams in the NHL with both of them playing spectacular hockey on both ends of the ice all year. The Capitals are coming off a 5-4 overtime loss in Ottawa on Thursday in a game I bet horribly. I played it so poorly in the way I structured my bets, but that’s in the past, move on. They did have a chance to win that game though, erasing a 3-1 and 4-2 deficit in the third period to force overtime before losing anyway. The Jets are on a solid five game win streak, coming off a 6-2 blowout win in Boston on Thursday. I’d give a very slight edge to the Caps here, solely because they’re at home, but I’m not betting it. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet that either. The best play on this game is no action at all and just enjoy some great hockey.
Hurricanes vs. Kings (7:00)
Not the best game for this cross conference matchup with the trajectories that these playoff teams come into tonight. The Hurricanes have played great lately in second place in the Metro Division. They couldn’t cover the puck line for me on Thursday, beating the Blackhawks 3-2, but that extends their seven game point streak with a 6-0-1 record in that span. The Kings are in a pretty big slump right now, still hanging onto third place in the Pacific by a point over Calgary. They’re on a four game losing streak, getting shut out 3-0 back to back on the road to the Lightning and Panthers on Wednesday and Thursday, with just two wins in their last ten games. I do still think LA’s a good team, especially defensively, but they’ve really struggled to score and they’re likely a quick first round exit against the Oilers or Golden Knights. I like Carolina to win this one at home and I’ll take them for half a unit, along with the under for half a unit.
Oilers vs. Maple Leafs (7:00)
Great Canadian matchup here in the cross conference game between two very good teams. The Oilers have been great lately, tied with Vegas at the top of the Pacific Division. They had a three game win streak come to an end on Thursday, blowing an early 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 in a shootout at home against the Red Wings. Edmonton still has an 11-3-1 record in their last 15 games. The Leafs come into tonight on a three game losing streak after falling 3-1 to the Wild at home on Wednesday, now a point back from Florida for first in the Atlantic Division. Toronto won the first game between these teams 4-3 at home in November, giving up Draisaitl’s game tying goal with 1:29 to go in regulation before Mitch Marner ended it 40 seconds into overtime. I like the Oilers to answer back and tie the season series tonight, which I’ll take for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but don’t like it enough to bet on.
Flames vs. Red Wings (10:00)
The only nightcap to today’s slate isn’t great with this pretty lousy cross conference matchup, although both of these teams are playing pretty decent lately. The Flames bounced back from two losses in a row with a 4-1 win at home against the Ducks on Thursday night. With four wins in their last six games they now sit a point back from the Kings for third in the Pacific, currently in the second Wild Card in the West, a point ahead of the Canucks. On Thursday, Calgary acquired Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee from the Flyers in exchange for Andrei Kuzmenko and Jakob Pelletier. The Red Wings are a couple points back from a Wild Card spot in the East, coming into tonight on an impressive four game win streak, beating the Oilers, Kings, Lightning, and Habs in that span with a 12-3-1 record in their last 16 games. On Thursday they erased an early 2-0 deficit on the road in Edmonton, beating the Oilers 3-2 in a shootout. I’d slightly lean the Flames win at home with their better defense and end Detroit’s win streak, but this isn’t a team I trust enough to bet on. I’d lean the over, but didn’t even consider betting it. I’ll stay off this game completely and end my night of hockey early.
Game Bets
.5u Panthers -1.5 (-148)
.5u Senators/Wild under 5.5 (-120)
.5u Predators/Penguins over 6 (-127)
.5u Hurricanes ML (-155)
.5u Hurricanes/Kings under 5.5 (-115)
.5u Oilers ML (-166)
Futures
2u Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup (+1800)
Record: 339-303-13 (-46.06 units)
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