After my sweep on Friday night, kind of a lousy day on the NHL yesterday for me, going 1-5 to lose 2.93 units. With football over now, today we have a huge nine game Sunday hockey slate. Let’s bounce back again!
Sabres vs. Devils (1:00)
Pretty lousy Eastern Conference matchup to start the day. My Sabres have won their last two games in a row, beating the Predators 4-3 on Jiri Kulich’s late goal with 2:04 left in regulation on Rob Ray night on Friday. We still blow though on both ends of the ice, in last place in the East. The Devils after a bit of struggles have now won three of their last four games, coming off a 5-0 shutout win at home against the Flyers on Wednesday in the second half of a home and home. They’re comfortably in third place in the Metro, despite a bunch of key injuries. The Devils won both previous games between these teams in a back to back to start the season in the Global Series in Prague, winning 4-1 and then 3-1. I like Jersey to complete the season sweep here on the road and I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it at 6.5.
Avalanche vs. Flyers (3:00)
This cross conference matinee isn’t great by any means. The Avalanche are coming off a dominant 5-0 win at home against the Blues on Friday night, and although that was just their second win in their last six games, they’re comfortably in the first Wild Card in the West. The Flyers went on a bit of a hot run, going 5-0-1, but have since only one won of their last five games, getting shut out back to back on Wednesday and Thursday, in a 5-0 loss in Jersey and 3-0 loss at home to the Isles. Colorado won the first game between these teams 3-2 on the road in November and I like them to win again this afternoon at home. I’ll take the Avs in regulation for half a unit. I’d lean the under, but not enough to bet it, especially at 5.5.
Ducks vs. Canadiens (4:00)
Pretty terrible cross conference matchup. The Ducks have been one of the worst teams in the league all year, in a tier just above the Sharks and Blackhawks. They come into today off a 4-1 loss in Calgary on Thursday night that ended their three game win streak. The Habs were one of the hottest teams in the league for December into January, going on a 13-3-1 run, but now come into today on a four game losing streak after a 4-0 loss at home to the Wild on Thursday. The first game between these teams in December in Montreal went to a shootout, with the Canadiens winning 3-2 at home. I like them to win this one again on the road and end that losing streak. I’ll take the Habs for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but I’m not touching the total here.
Panthers vs. Islanders (6:00)
This would’ve been a pretty big mismatch in the East about a month ago, but with the way the Isles have been playing lately, it actually makes it a pretty interesting game. The Panthers lead the Atlantic Division with a point lead over the Leafs. They’re in the second half of a back to back tonight, coming off a 5-1 blowout win yesterday afternoon at home against the Blackhawks. They gave up the first goal seven seconds into the game, and then rolled after that to their fifth win in their last seven games. The Islanders looked like their season was over as they sat at the bottom of the Metro Division all season, but they’re hot right now and right back into the Wild Card mix. Coming off a 3-2 overtime win in Tampa yesterday, they’re on a seven game win streak with ten wins in their last twelve games. Florida won the first game between these teams back in October easily, 6-3 on Long Island. I’ll take the champs in regulation for half a unit to end the Isles win streak. I’d lean the under, but I’m not betting it with both teams in the second half of a back to back.
Rangers vs. Golden Knights (6:00)
I’d expect this to be a fun game, yet not the greatest cross conference matchup by any means. The Rangers showed some signs of life with a 7-0-3 run, but have since lost their last three games in a row, in the second half of a back to back tonight after a 6-3 loss in Boston yesterday afternoon. The Golden Knights are tied with the Oilers as they lead the Pacific Division, but they’re in a slump right now too. Although they’re on a three game point streak after OT losses at home to Columbus and Dallas, Vegas has won just two of their last nine games. The Rags won the first game between these teams 2-1 in January on the road and I like the Knights to answer back with a win on the road in MSG tonight, especially with New York in the second half of a back to back. I’ll take Vegas for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but I’m not betting it, especially at 6.5.
Stars vs. Blue Jackets (6:00)
This is a sneaky fun matchup for this cross conference tilt. The Stars are a very good tea, comfortably in a playoff spot in second place in the Metro, with a point lead over Minnesota for home ice in the first round. Coming off a 5-3 win at home against the Canucks on Friday, they’re on a four game win streak. Dallas got better yesterday too, trading their first round pick to the Sharks in exchange for forward Mikael Granlund and defenseman Cody Ceci, two solid players. The Blue Jackets have been cashing a lot lately for me lately. Going into the season I thought they’d be one of the worst teams in the league, but they’ve far exceeded that and are actually right in the Wild Card mix in the East. Erasing a 2-0 third period deficit in Utah to win 3-2 for their third straight overtime victory on Friday night (capping off my sweep), they’ve gone 14-4-2 in their last 20 games. I’d lean the Stars win here, but I can’t stay off the Blue Jackets. I’ll take them +1.5 on the road for half a unit. I rarely play a bet this small, but I’ll also go with .2 units for a shot on the moneyline. I’d lean the over, and considered it, but I’ll lay off it.
Utah HC vs. Blues (7:00)
This is such a boring Central Division matchup. Both of these teams suck and come into tonight on four game losing streaks. Utah’s lost twice in a row in overtime, blowing a 2-0 third period lead on Friday to lose 3-2 to the Blue Jackets at home and they have just five wins in their last 19 games. The Blues aren’t any better. They’re coming off a 5-0 shutout loss in Colorado on Friday (easy win for me) for their fourth straight loss after they had gone on a decent run prior to that. Utah won both previous games between these teams 4-2, on the road in November and at home a few weeks ago. I’d slightly lean Utah wins again and the over in this game, but I’m laying off it completely.
Canucks vs. Red Wings (8:00)
I’d expect this to be a fun game, but the matchup for this cross conference game sucks. The Canucks have struggled at plenty of points this season, but they’re still in the mix, a point back from Calgary for the second Wild Card in the West. They’re coming off a 5-3 loss in Dallas on Friday that ended a three game win streak. After finally trading away JT Miller to the Rangers on Friday, yesterday Vancouver acquired defenseman Marcus Pettersson from the Penguins. The Red Wings have been on fire lately, despite still being a shitty team. They’re in the second half of a back to back tonight, coming off a 3-1 win in Calgary last night, to extend them to a five game win streak on this 13-3-1 run. The first game between these teams in Detroit back in December went to overtime with the Canucks getting a 5-4 win. I think there’s value in the Red Wings as a dog here, but with them in the second half of a back to back, I think the best play on this game is staying off it completely. I’d lean the under, but I’m not touching this game.
Kraken vs. Flames (9:00)
Pretty terrible Pacific Division game to end the weekend. The Kraken are coming off a 6-2 win at home against the Sharks on Thursday, and have been alright, but inconsistent lately, with six wins in their last eleven games. I’m not sold on the Flames, but they’re in the second Wild Card in the West, a point ahead of the Canucks. They’re in the second half of a back to back tonight, coming off a 3-1 loss at home to the Red Wings in the nightcap yesterday. Back in October when these teams met the first time, the Seattle won 2-1 in overtime. I’d slightly lean the Flames answer back on the road, here and I’d lean the over very slightly, but I’m not betting it. No edge here. I’ll stay off it entirely.
Game Bets
.5u Devils ML (-148)
.5u Avalanche in regulation (-130)
.5u Canadiens ML (-125)
.5u Panthers in regulation (-140)
.5u Golden Knights ML (-130)
.5u Blue Jackets +1.5 (-120)
.2u Blue Jackets ML (+240)
Futures
2u Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup (+1800)
Record: 340-308-13 (-48.99 units)
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A Town's Zone 