Yesterday with some games not going my way late, I went 4-5 on the NHL, losing 1.74 units. Tonight we have quite the lousy four game slate with terrible matchups, but let’s bounce back with a win!
Red Wings vs. Sabres (7:30)
Lousy matchup between the two worst teams in the Atlantic Division. The Red Wings fell out of the Wild Card spots in the East, coming into tonight on a six game losing streak with just two wins in their last ten games, coming off a late 2-1 loss in Ottawa on Monday night. My Sabres pulled off a surprising 3-2 win at home against the Oilers on Monday, on a great game in goal from UPL. That ended out pathetic six game losing streak as we remain the worst team in the East. Detroit’s 2-1 against the Sabres this year, losing 5-3 in Buffalo in October, answering with a 2-1 win at home in November, then winning 6-5 in a shootout in December. I’d lean the Red Wings win this one at home to end the season series and their losing streak, but not enough to bet it. I do like the over though, which I’ll take for half a unit.
Flames vs. Canucks (9:00)
Such a boring Pacific Division matchup, but this game does mean a ton in the standings as these two teams race for the second Wild Card spot in the West, within a point. The Flames, who hold that spot right now are coming off a 1-0 shutout win in Montreal on Saturday, their second win in their last six games. The Canucks have just two wins in their last six as well, in the second half of a back to back, coming off a 4-2 loss at home to Montreal last night. Calgary’s 2-1 this season against the Canucks, winning 6-5 in overtime in Vancouver in October, losing 3-1 on the road in November, and winning 3-1 at home on New Year’s Eve. Both of these teams blow. I do think Vancouver’s slightly better of a team and they win on the road to bounce back from last night, but I’m not betting it. I’d also lean the under, but I’m not touching this game.
Utah HC vs. Ducks (10:00)
I don’t think this game is quite as bad as it looks on paper. I was surprised to see Utah as such a big favorites here. They have struggled a bit this year, but have been pretty solid lately, with a 7-3-2 record in their last twelve games, but have just one win in their last four games. They erased a 3-0 deficit against the Leafs on Monday, but still lost 4-3 in a shootout at home, their second OT loss in a row. The Ducks have struggled this year as well. They’re in the second half of a back to back tonight, coming off a 7-4 loss to the Capitals at home last night and have just one win in their last four games. Anaheim won both previous games between these teams 5-4, both going to overtime, with an OT win at home in October and a shootout win on the road in December. I’d lean Utah avoids the season sweep here tonight at home, but the price is too expensive, and I don’t trust it enough to buy it down to regulation. I do like the over though, which I’ll take at 6 for half a unit.
Kraken vs. Canadiens (10:00)
Not the most interesting cross conference matchup to end the night. The Kraken have been pretty lousy this season. They’re coming off a 4-2 loss in DC on Sunday, giving up the game winner with less than five minutes left in regulation. Seattle’s won just two of their last seven games. Montreal’s struggled at points and have been pretty inconsistent. They’re playing well right now, two points back from Columbus for the second Wild Card in the East. Coming off a 4-2 win in Vancouver last night, they’ve gone 6-1-1 in their last eight games. Seattle dominated the first game between these teams, winning 8-2 on the road in October. I think the Habs are the better team here, but in the second half of a back to back, the smart move is staying off this game. If the total on this game was 5.5, I’d probably take the over, but I don’t like it enough to bet at 6.5, so I’ll stay off this game completely.
Game Bets
.5u Red Wings/Sabres over 6.5 (-108)
.5u Utah/Ducks over 6 (-113)
Futures
2u Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup (+1800)
Record: 447-409-13 (-55.04 units)
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A Town's Zone 