Slight losing night on yesterday’s huge NHL slate, as I went 4-5 to lose half a unit. Tonight we just have three games. Let’s bounce back and win here.
Rangers vs. Bruins (7:00)
Pretty interesting Eastern Conference Original Six matchup here as these teams meet for the second time in five days for their last game between them this season with the season series tied up. The Rangers won the first game at home in the beginning of January 2-1 and the Bruins answered back on Saturday afternoon with a 6-3 win. The Rags bounced back from a three game losing streak on Sunday with a 4-2 win at home against the Golden Knights, coming back from a 2-1 deficit going into the third period. This team looked completely dead but they’re still in the Wild Card mix despite being just a point better than the Flyers and Penguins for last in the Metro. The Bruins have only been marginally better, on the outside and looking in on the Wild Card as well. They’re in the second half of a back to back tonight, coming off a 3-0 shutout win at home against the Wild last night. They have played relatively well lately, with a 7-3-1 record in their last eleven games. With Boston in the second half of a back to back on the road, I’d lean the Rangers win this game at home tonight, but the price is way too overly inflated with them as over a -200 favorite. I would probably stay off this game even around a pick’em, but I’m definitely staying off it at that price. I do like the over though, but don’t love the 6.5, so I’ll take the alternate over 5.5 here for half a unit.
Blackhawks vs. Oilers (9:30)
Terrible mismatch here out West. The Blackhawks are one of the worst teams in the NHL (alongside the Sharks). They have just one win in their last six games and only four in their last 19 games. On Saturday they scored seven seconds into their game in Florida before the Panthers completely dominated them the rest of the way, as Chicago got blown out in a 5-1 loss, getting outshot 44-25. Edmonton on the other hand has been fantastic, leading the Pacific Division. The Oilers are in the second half of a back to back tonight, coming off a nice 3-2 comeback win in St. Louis last night, with Leon Draisaitl scoring the game tying goal with the net empty with 2:14 left in regulation and then Connor McDavid setting up Connor Brown for the game winner in overtime. These teams surprisingly split their first two games, each winning on the road, a shocker of a 5-2 win for the Hawks in the first week of the season and the Oilers answering with a 4-3 win in January in a game that was way closer than I expected. Even in the second half of a back to back, Edmonton should be able to completely stomp the Blackhawks tonight. I’ll take the Oilers team total over 3.5 for a unit and them in regulation for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Kings vs. Canadiens (10:30)
Not the best game, but kind of an interesting matchup to end the night. The Kings have been pretty good this season, with a point lead over the Flames and Canucks for third in the Pacific Division. They’ve been in a slump lately though, just ending a four game losing streak on Saturday with a big 4-2 win in Carolina. That was just their third win in their last eleven games. The Habs were hot for a while, but cooled down quite a bit. They’re in the second half of a back to back, ending a six game losing streak of their own last night with a 4-3 win in San Jose. Back early in the season in October when both of these teams were playing quite different than they are now, the Kings won 4-1 on the road in Montreal. I’d lean they win here again, but I think the Canadiens keep it relatively close, even in the second half of a back to back. LA should absolutely be favored here, but -250 is way too pricey and I actually see value on the +1.5 for the Habs, which I’ll take for half a unit. I’d lean the under, but not enough to bet it.
Game Bets
.5u Rangers/Bruins over 5.5 (-140)
1u Oilers TT over 3.5 (-160)
.5u Oilers in regulation (-160)
.5u Canadiens +1.5 (-122)
Futures
2u Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup (+1800)
Record: 347-318-13 (-46.89 units)
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