Losing day on some close games in the NHL last night, going 1-4 to lose 2.9 units. Not great. Tonight we have a pretty good six game slate to bounce back before the weekend!
Hurricanes vs. Red Wings (7:00)
This Eastern Conference matchup isn’t the best, but it is heavily overpriced in my eyes. The Hurricanes are playing great, essentially locked into second place in the Metro Division. Coming off a 4-1 win at home against the Lightning on Tuesday, they’re on a five game win streak. The Red Wings were in a pretty big slump, ending a six game losing streak with a 7-3 win against my pathetic Sabres on Wednesday. They’ve been streaky this year, but just two points back from Columbus for the second Wild Card spot in the East. Carolina won the first game between these teams 2-1 in Detroit ten days ago. I’d expect the Canes to stay hot with a win here at home, but the -230 is way too expensive. I’d lean the under here, but I’ll lay off this game entirely.
Islanders vs. Oilers (7:30)
Pretty terrible cross conference matchup here. The Islanders stink and come into tonight with two 4-1 losses in a row in LA and Anaheim after a decent stretch, five points back from the Blue Jackets and Rangers for the second Wild Card in the East. The Oilers have struggled as of late, dropping a point behind the Kings, now in third place in the Pacific. Coming off a 3-2 loss in a close game in Jersey last night, they have just three wins in their last eleven games. The first game between these teams back in November went to overtime with Edmonton winning 4-3 at home on Draisaitl’s game winner in a game they outshot the Isles 42-22. I like them to bounce back here and get a win on the road on Long Island and will take the Oilers for half a unit. I’d lean the under, but I’m not touching it.
Jets vs. Stars (8:00)
Fantastic matchup here between the top two teams in the Central, two contenders to win the Stanley Cup. The Jets are in a two horse race with Washington for the President’s Trophy, having a great year. They’re coming off a 2-1 grind of a win against the Rangers on Tuesday with three wins in their last four games. The Stars have been fantastic, with a five point lead over Colorado for second place. They haven’t played since Sunday, when the beat Vancouver 4-1 on the road, and have a 13-3-1 record in their last 17 games. These teams split their first two matchups, with a 4-1 Jets win at home in November, and a 3-1 Stars win in December. This game’s a complete toss up to me. These are two of the top goaltenders in the league, and two teams that have been great all season. I think Dallas is slightly more talented, but with the edge of being at home, I’d probably give a very slight lean to the Jets. I’d lean the under, but the best play on this game is nothing at all, and just enjoying great hockey.
Flames vs. Avalanche (9:00)
Kind of a boring matchup. I don’t think the Flames are a good team by any means, but with the great goaltending from the kid Dustin Wolf in goal, who should be the Calder winner, but won’t be, they’re tied with Vancouver for the second Wild Card in the West. Either of those teams is getting waxed by Winnipeg or Vegas in the first round. Calgary’s on a five game point streak, coming off a 4-3 shootout loss at home to the Canucks on Wednesday, but have have just two wins in their last seven games. The Avalanche on the other hand have been fantastic, in the third spot in the Central, two points ahead of Minnesota, who they lost to in a shootout, 2-1 on the road on Tuesday in the second half of a back to back. That loss ended a six game win streak for Colorado. The Avs won the first game between these teams 4-2 on the road in February, and I fully expect another bounce back win here for them tonight on the road. I’ll take the Avalanche in regulation for half a unit. I’d slightly lean the under, but didn’t even consider betting the total.
Ducks vs. Predators (10:00)
Terrible Western Conference matchup between two bad teams. The Ducks have been bad, with just one win in their last five games, coming off a 3-2 loss in Utah on Wednesday. The Preds have been the biggest disappointment of the year, but come into tonight on a four game win streak, beating a bunch of other terrible teams. Anaheim won the first game between these teams 5-2 at home in January. I’d lean Nashville wins this one on the road, but I didn’t consider betting anything whatsoever on this game. I’d lean the under slightly since neither of these teams can score, but I’m staying off this game completely.
Kraken vs. Utah HC (10:00)
Not a great game to end the night. Seattle’s struggled all year and come into tonight with three wins in their last eight games after a 5-4 overtime win at home against the Habs on Wednesday night. Utah’s been up and down all season, two points back from Vancouver and Calgary for that second Wild Card spot in the West. They’re coming into tonight on a four game point streak after a 3-2 win at home against the Ducks on Wednesday, and have been hot lately with an 8-3-2 record in their last 13 games. At the end of December the Kraken won the first game between these teams 5-2 at home. I’d lean Utah wins this one on the road and slightly lean the under, but I’ll lay off this game and finish my night early.
Game Bets
.5u Oilers ML (-130)
.5u Avalanche in regulation (-115)
Futures
2u Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup (+1800)
Record: 449-414-13 (-58 units)
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A Town's Zone 