Winning day on yesterday’s big NHL slate, going 6-4 to win .9 units. I’ll take it. Today we have a pretty good six game Sunday slate, let’s win again!
Penguins vs. Maple Leafs (1:00)
Lousy Eastern Conference matchup to start off the day. The Penguins are horrible, in last place in the Metro and only better than the Sabres in the East. They’re in the second half of a back to back today, coming off a 3-2 loss at home to the Bruins yesterday afternoon, with just one win in their last six games. The Leafs are a point back from the Panthers, jockeying back and forth for first place in the Atlantic. They’re on a four game win streak with just one loss in their last eight games, coming off a 3-2 win in MSG on Friday night. These teams split their first two games, with the Leafs winning 4-2 in the first week of the season and the Pens answering back with a 5-2 win in December. Especially with Pittsburgh in the second half of a back to back, I like the Leafs to win here on the road. I’ll take Toronto for a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Wild vs. Bruins (3:30)
Pretty boring cross conference matchup. The Wild are struggling with injuries and have been in a bit of a slump lately, on a three game losing streak, but still comfortably in a playoff spot. They’re still hanging onto third place in the Central with the tiebreaker over the Avs, who they’re coming off a 5-2 loss to on the road in the second half of a back to back on Friday. The Bruins have been terrible, in the second half of a back to back after ending a five game losing streak with a 3-2 win in Pittsburgh yesterday afternoon. Boston won the first game between these teams 3-0 early in February. I’d lean Minnesota answers back with a win today at home, but don’t like it enough to bet on. I’d also lean the under, but the best play here is laying off this game completely.
Hurricanes vs. Flames (5:00)
This is a huge mismatch between these cross conference teams. The Hurricanes have been very good this season, playing for home ice in the first round against the Devils, who they’re tied with in the standings. They have been struggling a bit lately though, with just two wins in their last eight games, in the second half of a back to back tonight, coming off a 3-1 loss yesterday to the Oilers. I don’t think the Flames are good, and they’re one of the most boring teams in the league. They’re in the second half of a back to back as well, coming off a 3-0 shutout loss to Florida yesterday, their second shutout loss in a row after getting shut out 3-0 in Tampa on Thursday. In the first game between these teams in Calgary back in October, the Canes won 4-2 on the road. I like Carolina to win again here at home, and although the prices here are a bit inflated, I’ll take their puck line for half a unit. I’d lean the under, but not enough to bet on it.
Stars vs. Blues (6:00)
Not the best Central Division matchup, but with these teams both playing pretty good hockey lately, it could be a fun game. The Stars have been fantastic, comfortably in second place in the Central. Coming off thumping the Kings 6-2 on Friday night, they have a 9-2-1 record in their last twelve games, playing great on both ends of the ice. The Blues are playing well lately, just a point out for Vancouver for the second Wild Card spot in the West. They’re on a four game win streak and six game point streak, coming off a 4-1 win against the Kings yesterday. Dallas won both previous games between these teams, 2-1 in overtime at home in December and then 2-0 in a shutout on the road in January. With St. Louis in the second half of a back to back on the road, I like the Stars to complete the season sweep here and will take them in regulation for a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Rangers vs. Predators (7:00)
Quite the lousy cross conference matchup here, as both of these teams have been huge disappointments this year. The Rangers have struggled this year, but haven’t played horrible lately. Coming off a 3-2 loss at home to the Leafs on Friday, they have five wins in their last eight games. Yesterday they got slightly worse, trading Ryan Lindgren and Jimmy Vesey to the Avalanche. The Preds have far underwhelmed this year, with high hopes for them going into the season. They’re one of the worst teams in the league, only better than the Blackhawks in the Central. They’re in the second half of a back to back, coming off a 7-4 loss on Long Island last night. Nashville won the first game between these teams with a 2-0 shutout at home in December. I was going to stay off this game completely, but I do think the Rangers are worth taking for half a unit here. I’d lean the under slightly, but I’m not touching it.
Golden Knights vs. Devils (8:00)
Fun cross conference game to end the night. The Golden Knights have been playing well lately, my pick to win the Cup this year. They’re two points ahead of the Oilers for first in the Pacific. They’re coming off a 7-5 win at home against the Blackhawks where they coasted after going up 5-1 in the first period on Thursday night, and have four wins in their last five games. The Devils are tied with the Hurricanes as those two teams will play for home ice in the first round the rest of the season, pretty locked into second and third in the Metro. Jersey’s in the second half of a back to back tonight, coming off a 3-1 win in Utah yesterday and have been a bit inconsistent lately. Vegas won the first game between these teams 3-1 to go into the 4 Nations break on the road in Jersey last month. I like the Knights to win again tonight at home in the Fortress, and I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d lean the under, but not enough to bet it.
Game Bets
1u Maple Leafs ML (-185)
.5u Hurricanes -1.5 (-122)
1u Stars in regulation (-150)
.5u Rangers ML (-170)
.5u Golden Knights ML (-170)
Futures
2u Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup (+1800)
Record: 412-378-13 (-54.36 units)
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