On yesterday’s short slate I went 1-2, losing 0.9 units. Tonight the NHL has a loaded slate of twelve games, let’s crush it!
Hurricanes vs. Sabres (7:00)
Not a good Eastern Conference matchup to start the night. Carolina’s been a very good team this year, playing for home ice against Jersey the rest of the year (those two aren’t moving from the 2 and 3 slots in the Metro), but they’re struggled quite a bit right now. Coming off a 4-0 shutout loss in Montreal after coming out of the break with a 6-3 loss to the Leafs on Saturday, they have just one win in their last six games. The Sabres blow, the worst team in the Eastern Conference, but they’re on the opposite trajectory with six wins in our last seven games coming off a come from behind 3-2 win at home against the Ducks on Tuesday. Buffalo won the first game between these teams 4-2 at home in January, but the Sabres haven’t won in Carolina since 2016. This feels like a slump buster for the Canes and I’ll take Carolina in regulation for a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Bruins vs. Islanders (7:00)
This should be a solid game, but a pretty lousy matchup, with both teams struggling, yet still in the Wild Card mix. The Bruins are on a four game losing streak with overtime losses at home to the Leafs (nice comeback win to cash Toronto for me on Tuesday) and the Ducks coming out of the break. The Islanders are on a four game losing streak as well after getting shit pumped 5-1 at home on Tuesday against their rival Rangers. These teams split their first two games, with the Bruins winning 6-3 on Long Island in November and the Isles winning 5-4 in overtime in Boston in January. I’d lean the B’s win this one at home and the over, but I’m not touching this game.
Canadiens vs. Sharks (7:00)
Pretty terrible matchup. The Habs were on quite the slump with just one win in the span of eleven games, but have since won their last two in a row out of the break, coming off a 4-0 shutout win at home agains the Hurricanes on Tuesday. The Sharks are the most horrendous team in the league, with just four wins in their last 27 games, coming off a 2-1 overtime loss in Winnipeg on Monday, where they led 1-0 with less than 30 seconds in regulation before losing in OT. Montreal won the first game between these teams 4-3 on the road earlier this month and I like them to win again. I’ll take the Canadiens in regulation for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but I’ll just stick with Montreal here with both offenses struggling.
Red Wings vs. Blue Jackets (7:00)
On paper this game isn’t great, but I actually think this is such a fun matchup between the two teams currently holding the two Wild Card spots in the East. The Red Wings have been on fire lately, with a 9-1-1 record in their last eleven games, coming off a 3-2 win in Minnesota on Tuesday. The Blue Jackets have been the best surprise of the season, far exceeding expectations. They’re coming off an impressive 6-4 win at home against Dallas on Tuesday for two wins in a row out of the break after they beat up Chicago 5-1 on Saturday. Detroit won the first game between these teams 5-4 in January. I think they’re the better team and I’d lean the Red Wings win this one again, but not enough to bet it. I do like the over though, and will take the alternate over 6 for half a unit.
Lightning vs. Flames (7:00)
Although these teams are separated by just six points, I think this is a pretty big mismatch. The Lightning are fantastic, in third place in the Atlantic Division. They’re on a six game win streak and eight game point streak after an impressive 4-1 win at home against the Oilers on Tuesday. The Flames picked up a big 3-1 win in Washington on Tuesday to get within a point of the Canucks for the second Wild Card in the West, but I’m not sold on this team whatsoever. If they get in the playoffs, they’re getting smoked in the first round with their horrendous offense. The Bolts dominated them 8-3 on the road in December and I like another easy Tampa win here tonight. I’ll take the Lightning in regulation for a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Panthers vs. Oilers (7:00)
GREAT game here for the second rematch of last year’s Stanley Cup Final where Florida blew a 3-1 series lead before winning the Cup in Game 7. The first game between these teams this season lived up to the hype of the rematch, with the Panthers winning 6-5 in one of the best games of the year in Edmonton back in December. Florida’s playing well right now, a point back from the Leafs for first place in the Atlantic. Coming off a 4-1 win in Nashville on Tuesday, they have six wins in their last eight games. The Oilers are struggling a bit right now, on a four game losing streak coming off a 4-1 loss in Tampa on Tuesday, but they’re still only two points back from Vegas for the Pacific Division lead. I’d lean the Cup Champs win again here at home, but this is way too close of a game to bet on. The total’s a complete toss up to me so I’ll lay off this game completely, but can’t wait to watch it.
Capitals vs. Blues (7:00)
I don’t think this cross conference game is good by any means. The Capitals have been spectacular, leading the Eastern Conference. They had a 21 game point streak come to an end with a surprising 3-1 loss at home to Calgary on Tuesday night, but the greatest goal scorer of all time scored another one to get just 12 away from Gretzky. I like Ovechkin to score again tonight, and I’ll take him to score a goal against Joel Hofer (who will be the 182nd different goalie he’s scored on) for half a unit. The Blues have been pretty terrible on the year, but have played better as of late with a 3-0-1 record in their last four games, coming off a big 7-2 win at home against Seattle on Tuesday. The Caps put on a dominant 8-1 show in the first game between these teams on the road in November. Although I don’t think it’s in that big of a blowout, I like Washington to bounce back from Tuesday’s loss with another win here, and I’ll take them for 1.5 units. I’d lean the over but not enough to bet it.
Penguins vs. Flyers (7:30)
The Battle of Pennsylvania has zero juice this year, with these teams being at the bottom of the Metro Division. This is the second half of a home and home after the Flyers blew out the Pens 6-1 on Tuesday. Philly leads the season series, with the Pens winning the first game 7-3 in December and the Flyers answering back with a 3-2 win at home before the break. The Penguins are on a four game losing streak, with just six wins in their last 22 games. The Flyers are on a bit of a surprising three game win streak. I’d lean the Flyers win again here, but I’m not touching it. I do like the over though, which I’ll take a half unit shot on.
Predators vs. Jets (8:00)
Another big mismatch, this one in the Central. The Predators have been horrible this year, the biggest disappointment of the season by far. They’re coming off a 4-1 loss to the Panthers on Tuesday, only better than Chicago in the division. The Jets on the other hand have been fantastic, leading the NHL. They’re on an eleven game win streak, in the second half of a back to back tonight after a 4-1 win in Ottawa last night. Winnipeg leads the season series 2-1, losing the first game 4-1 on the road in November, answering back with a 3-0 shutout at home in December and a 5-2 victory at home in January. I like them to win again, even in the second half of a back to back. I’m going to proceed with a bit of caution because of that and will take the Jets for half a unit. I’d slightly lean the under, but definitely am not betting it.
Utah HC vs. Wild (9:00)
This is kind of a boring Central Division matchup and the price on it doesn’t make much sense. The Wild are having a good year, comfortably in a playoff spot, in third place in the Central. They had a three game win streak come to an end on Tuesday with a 3-2 loss at home to the Red Wings. Utah hasn’t been great this season, but they’re playing well recently. Coming off a 2-1 win against the Blackhawks at home on Tuesday, they have five wins in their last seven games. Utah’s 2-0-1 against Minnesota this year, losing 5-4 in a shootout at home, then winning 2-1 and 4-0 on the road. I like the value on the Wild here with the price all the way up to +155. I feel like this game should probably have the Wild around -130ish, so way too much value to pass up there. I’d lean the under, but not enough to bet it.
Golden Knights vs. Blackhawks (10:00)
Biggest mismatch on the slate today and the -400 moneyline reflects that. Vegas is coming off a lousy 5-2 loss in LA on Monday where they gave up four unanswered goals in the third period, but the Knights, who are my pick to win the Stanley Cup, are still in first place in the Pacific Division. That loss ended their three game win streak, but they have a very easy bounce back matchup here against the worst team in the league (along with the Sharks). Chicago’s horrendous. They’re on a four game losing streak coming off a 2-1 loss in Utah on Tuesday, and have just five wins in their last 25 games. Shockingly the Blackhawks won the first game between these teams 5-3 at home in January. I love the Golden Knights to bounce back here. I’ll take their puck line for a unit. I’d lean the over slightly, but didn’t even consider betting the total.
Ducks vs. Canucks (10:00)
Boring matchup in the Pacific to end the night. The Ducks are coming off a 3-2 loss in Buffalo on Tuesday for their second loss in a row, ending a 7-1-1 run. The Canucks aren’t great, but do still hold the second Wild Card spot in the West, a point ahead of the Flames. They’re in the second half of a back to back tonight, coming off a 3-2 overtime win in LA last night, despite only having 17 shots on goal, blowing a 2-0 lead in the third period but still winning in OT on Conor Garland’s second of the night. Vancouver dominated the first game between these teams 5-1 on the road in November. I’d slightly lean they win again tonight in a much closer game, but I’m definitely not betting it. I do like the under though, which I’ll take for half a unit.
Game Bets
1u Hurricanes in regulation (-140)
.5u Canadiens in regulation (-155)
.5u Red Wings/Blue Jackets over 6 (-118)
1u Lightning in regulation (-145)
1.5u Capitals ML (-165)
.5u Alex Ovechkin anytime goal (+105)
.5u Flyers/Penguins over 5.5 (-110)
.5u Jets ML (-135)
.5u Wild ML (+155)
1u Golden Knights -1.5 (-148)
.5u Canucks/Ducks under 5.5 (-110)
Futures
2u Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup (+1800)
Record: 399-366-13 (-53.74 units)
Please follow me:
Instagram: @atownszone
Twitter: @atownszone
If you like the site and my work, share it with your friends!
… and tell Dave Portnoy to hire me at Barstool…
A Town's Zone 