On yesterday’s big NHL slate, I went 5-4, losing 0.78 units (mainly thanks to my Sabres). Let’s bounce back here today on a pretty good seven game Sunday slate!
Red Wings vs. Golden Knights (1:00)
Not a great cross conference game to get the day started. The Red Wings, coming off a 4-2 loss in Carolina on Friday, are struggling right now, four points back from the second Wild Card in the East. They have just one win in their last eight games. The Golden Knights have been very good, with a five point lead over the Kings for first place in the Pacific. They’re in the second half of a back to back today, coming off me losing on their 4-3 shootout loss in Buffalo to my Sabres yesterday afternoon, where Jack Eichel scored with 2:33 left in regulation and after a missed empty netter, Rasmus Dahlin tied the game with 14 seconds to go, with Buffalo going on to win. I like this bounce back spot for the Knights and I’ll take Vegas for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Avalanche vs. Stars (3:30)
Spectacular matinee here that should be a first round preview in the Central Division. Both of these teams are playing great hockey, three points apart in the standings, with Dallas currently seeded to have home ice in that series. These teams split their first two games with the Stars winning 5-3 at home in November and the Avs answering with a 6-3 win at home in January. Colorado, coming off a 4-2 win in Calgary on Friday, have a 7-0-1 record int their last eight games. The Stars are coming off a 4-1 loss in Winnipeg on Friday, but have played really good too, with a 13-4-1 record in their last 18. I think the side on this game’s a toss up, with a slight edge to the Avalanche at home, but definitely not enough to bet it. I do like the over though, which I’ll take for half a unit.
Rangers vs. Oilers (7:00)
This isn’t the best cross conference matchup. The Rangers are alive in the playoff race again, holding the second Wild Card spot in the East with a point lead over Montreal. They’re in the second half of a back to back tonight, coming off a crucial 4-0 shutout win in Columbus last night for their second win in a row after a four game losing streak. The Oilers aren’t playing their best lately, falling to third place in the Pacific, a point behind LA. They’re coming off a 2-1 overtime win on Long Island on Friday night, just their fourth win in their last twelve games. Edmonton dominated the first game between these teams back in November with a 6-2 win at home. I’d lean, especially with the Rags in the second half of a back to back, that the Oilers win here again on the road, but I don’t think they’re worth laying the -165 on. I’d also lean the under, but I’ll stay off this game completely.
Islanders vs. Panthers (7:30)
This game’s a pretty big mismatch in the East. The Islanders are struggling and having a pretty terrible season. Coming off a 2-1 overtime loss at home to the Oilers on Friday, they’re on a three game losing streak with just four wins in their last twelve games. The Panthers lead the Atlantic Division, four points ahead of Tampa and Toronto and have looked like a powerhouse again this year. They’re in the second half of a back to back tonight, looking to bounce back from a 3-1 loss in Montreal last night, just their second loss in their last nine games. Florida dominated both previous games between these teams with 6-3 wins on the road in October and then again at home in February. I like the Cup Champs to complete the season sweep here and will take them for half a unit at a pretty good price. I’d lean the under, but with how high scoring those two previous matchups were and the Cats in the second half of a back to back, I’ll stay off the total.
Blues vs. Ducks (8:00)
Pretty boring, kind of lousy Western Conference matchup. The Blues haven’t had their best season, but they’re still in the Wild Card race in the West, just two points back from Vancouver. They’re playing well lately, in the second half of a back to back tonight after a 5-1 win in Minnesota last night, and have an 8-2-2 record in their last twelve games. The Ducks have been pretty bad this year and coming off a 2-1 win at home against the Preds on Friday have just four wins in their last eleven games. St. Louis won both prior games between these teams, 6-2 at home in January and 4-3 on the road last week. I like the Blues to stay hot and win this one again at home to complete the season sweep and I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d lean the under, but I’m not touching it.
Canucks vs. Utah HC (8:00)
This Western Conference matchup stinks. I don’t think either of these teams are that good. The Canucks have a two point lead over the Flames and Blues for the second Wild Card spot in the Western Conference, but I fully expect them to get smoked in the first round of the playoffs. They’re coming into tonight in the second half of a back to back after a 6-2 win at home against the Blackhawks last night, their fifth win in their last eleven games. Utah hasn’t been great either on the season, four points back from that Wild Card, but they’ve played better lately. They’re coming off a 4-2 loss in Seattle on Friday and although they have just two wins in their last six games, they have an 8-4-2 record in their last 14 games. Utah won both previous games between these teams, 3-2 in overtime in December and 2-1 at home in February. I’d slightly lean the under and Vancouver avoiding the season sweep at home, but I didn’t even consider betting this game. I’ll lay off it completely.
Kraken vs. Jets (9:00)
I think this is a boring mismatch in the West despite Seattle playing decent lately. The Kraken are having a bad season but come into tonight with three wins in their last four games, coming off a 4-2 win at home against Utah on Friday. The Jets on the other hand, coming off a huge 4-1 win against the Stars at home on Friday, lead the Western Conference, in a race with Washington for the President’s Trophy. They have four wins in their last five games and a 15-3-1 record in their last 19. Winnipeg won both previous games between these teams by a goal, 4-3 in overtime on the road in October and then 2-1 at home in January. I like them to complete the season sweep and will take the Jets for a unit. I’d lean the over, but don’t see any edge in betting it.
Game Bets
.5u Golden Knights ML (-125)
.5u Avalanche/Stars over 5.5 (-130)
.5u Panthers ML (-155)
.5u Blues ML (-175)
1u Jets ML (-180)
Futures
2u Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup (+1800)
Record: 456-418-13 (-57.78 units)
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