Losing Saturday for me on the NHL yesterday going 2-3 to lose 1.48 units. Today we have an eight game Sunday slate, let’s bounce back!
Flyers vs. Devils (1:00)
Lousy matchup to start the day. The Flyers have struggled all year and after going on a bit of a hot streak, coming into tonight on a three game losing streak, in the second half of a back to back after a 4-1 loss in yesterday’s matinee against the Kraken, a goal short of hitting my over. The Devils are struggling big time right now, in danger of losing their third place spot in the Metro, and dealing with Jack Hughes now being out for the rest of the season. Coming off a 6-1 loss at home to the Jets on Friday, they’re on a three game losing streak with just eight wins in their last 26 games. Philly’s won two of the three games between these teams, winning 3-1 on the road, winning 4-2 at home, and getting shut out 5-0 on the road. I’d lean the Devils win here to tie the season series and would slightly lean the under, but I’m not touching this game.
Capitals vs. Kraken (3:30)
Pretty big cross conference mismatch. The Capitals are the best team in the East, coming into today on a three game win streak after a 5-2 win at home against the Red Wings on Thursday. The Kraken on the other hand have struggled all season, in the second half of a back to back tonight, coming off a 4-1 win in Philly yesterday afternoon, just their second win in their last six games. Washington won the first game between these teams with a 3-0 shutout win on the road in January. I expect a similar result here and will take the Caps in regulation for a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it. I will go right back to Ovi anytime goal though, for half a unit.
Wild vs. Penguins (3:30)
This is a pretty boring, bad matchup for a cross conference game. The Wild have struggled a bit as of late, dealing with a ton of injuries. Coming off a 3-1 loss in Vancouver on Friday night, they have just two wins in their last six games, falling out of the top three in the Central and down to the first Wild Card in the West. Meanwhile, the Penguins have struggled all year. Getting shut out 4-0 in Vegas on Friday night, they’re on a four game losing streak with just one win in their last nine games. Minnesota won the first game between these teams 5-3 on the road in October when they were healthy. I’d lean they win again here, but its hard to trust this team right now. I’d also lean the under, since neither of these teams can score, but I’ll lay off it.
Hurricanes vs. Jets (5:00)
Really solid cross conference matchup. The Hurricanes are having a very good season, solidified in their spot in second place in the Metro, and on a three game win streak coming off a 3-2 win at home against the Bruins on Thursday. They had an interesting trade deadline, trading Mikko Rantanen, who they just got a month ago to Dallas for 2 first round picks and Logan Stankhoven. I thought they’d flip those picks for guys that could help them win now, but didn’t, effectively making themselves worse than they were when they traded Necas to Colorado. The Jets lead the NHL, and have been fantastic all season. They’ve won their last two games in a row, dominating the Devils 6-1 in Jersey on Friday night. Winnipeg won the first game between these teams with a 3-0 shutout at home in February. I’d slightly lean the Canes win this one, but not enough to bet it. I do like the under though, which I’ll take for half a unit.
Rangers vs. Blue Jackets (6:00)
This should be a pretty fun Metro Division matchup between the two teams tied for the second Wild Card spot in the East. They’re also both just a point back from Ottawa for that first spot, and four away from the downward spiraling Devils for third in the Metro. The Rangers are in the second half of a back to back tonight, coming off a 4-3 overtime loss to the Senators yesterday afternoon, but they’re on a four game point streak with a 7-3-2 record in their last twelve games. The Blue Jackets have been the best surprise of the season, but come into tonight off two bad losses in the state of Florida, getting crushed 6-2 by the Lightning on Tuesday and then shut out 3-0 by the Panthers on Thursday. The Rags won both previous games between these teams, winning 1-0 in a shootout at home in a double shutout in January, then 4-3 on the road in February. Columbus is far worse on the road than they are at home, so even in the second half of a back to back, I’d slightly lean the Rangers win here, just not enough to bet on. I’d also slightly lean the over, but I’m not touching this game.
Golden Knights vs. Kings (8:00)
Decent matchup between two of the playoff teams in the Pacific. The Golden Knights have a four point lead over the Oilers for first place in the division, playing great right now. My pick to win the Stanley Cup, they’re on a four game win streak, with two shutouts in that span, coming off a 4-0 win agains the Penguins at home on Friday night. The Knights have just one loss in their last eight games, coming against the Kings that they get to play again tonight. The Kings are holding onto their third place spot in the Division, three points ahead of Calgary. They ended a five game losing streak last night, beating the Blues 2-1 in overtime at home on Quinton Byfield’s game winner 27 seconds into OT. LA’s 2-1 this season against Vegas, losing 6-1 in Vegas in October, answering with a 6-3 win at home a week later, and then winning 5-2 at home a couple weeks ago. I like the Golden Knights to tie up the season series and I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Canucks vs. Stars (9:00)
Not the best Western Conference matchup. The Canucks haven’t been great this season, a point behind the Flames for the second Wild Card spot in the West. They’re coming off two wins in a row, beating the Wild 3-1 at home on Friday night. Dallas meanwhile has been very good this season and made a big move at the deadline getting Mikko Rantanen, who scored his first on his new big contract last night. The Stars are in the second half of a back to back tonight, coming off a 5-4 loss to the Oilers on the road last night, where their comeback fell short in a game they were down 5-1 going into the third period. Dallas won the first game between these teams 5-3 at home and I like them to bounce back from yesterday’s loss with another win, this time on the road. I’ll take the Stars for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Ducks vs. Islanders (9:00)
Boring, lousy game to end the night. Both of these teams stink. The Ducks are coming off a 4-3 loss at home to the Blues on Friday, jus their second win in their last seven games after a bit of a hot streak. The Islanders started the season way too slow, and now still have an outside shot at a Wild Card spot, three points back from the Rangers and Blue Jackets. They’re in the second half of a back to back tonight, coming off a 4-2 win in San Jose last night and they’ve won four of their last five games. Anaheim won the first game between these teams 3-1 on the road in October. I’d lean the Isles, even in the second half of a back to back, and the over in this one, but I’m laying off this game entirely. Just no value in betting this shitty matchup.
Game Bets
1u Capitals in regulation (-160)
.5u Alex Ovechkin anytime goal (+100)
.5u Hurricanes/Jets under 5.5 (-112)
.5u Golden Knights ML (-185)
.5u Stars ML (-145)
Futures
2u Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup (+1800)
Record: 438-400-13 (-53.82 units)
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