Profitable Sunday for me on the NHL yesterday, going 3-2 to win .6 units. I’ll take it. On tonight’s St. Patrick’s Day slate, we have five games, let’s win again!
Bruins vs. Sabres (7:00)
Lousy matchup in the Atlantic to start the night since both of these teams blow. The Bruins dismantled their roster at the trade deadline and come into tonight after giving up six goals in each of their last two games, coming off a 6-2 loss at home to the Lightning on Saturday. On Saturday afternoon, the Sabres pulled off an unlikely win against the Golden Knights, winning 4-3 in a shootout at home, with Jack Eichel scoring what looked like the game winner 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 it in the shootout. That was just our second win in our last nine games. These teams split their first two games, each winning at home, with the Bruins winning 3-1 in December and the Sabres answering with a big 7-2 win in January. I’d slightly lean Boston wins this one at home, but I’m not touching the side in this game. I do like the over though at just 5.5, which I’ll take for half a unit.
Lightning vs. Flyers (7:00)
Pretty big mismatch for this Eastern Conference game but it’s actually an interesting game. The Lightning have been fantastic, tied with the Leafs for second place in the Atlantic Division. They ended a three game losing streak on Saturday, beating the Bruins 6-2 on the road in a dominant game where they outshot the B’s 40-12. Philly sucks. Coming off a 5-0 shutout loss at home to the Hurricanes on Saturday, they have just one win in their last seven games. That win came against the Bolts when these teams played for the second time this season, the second time that these teams went to a shootout this season, with Philly winning 4-3 on Thursday at home after they had won the first game 2-1 on the road in November. I don’t see Tampa getting swept by the Flyers on the season and I’ll take the Bolts in regulation for a unit. I’d slightly lean the under, but I’m not touching it.
Blue Jackets vs. Devils (7:00)
Interesting Metro Division matchup here. The Blue Jackets are in a slump right now, on a three game losing streak with just one win in their last six games, getting shut out three times in that span, coming off two straight 4-0 shutout losses at home, in a crucial game to the Rangers on Saturday and to Vegas on Thursday. In the midst of that slump, they’ve now fallen two points back from the Rangers for the second Wild Card in the tight race for it in the East. The Devils are still six points ahead of the Rangers in third place in the Metro. They’re coming off a 7-3 loss in Pittsburgh in a matinee on Saturday, ending a three game win streak. Jersey should still make the playoffs, but I don’t see them getting past Carolina in the first round with Jack Hughes out for the year. These teams split their first two games, with the Jackets winning 4-2 at home in December, and the Devils answering with a 5-3 win at home last Tuesday. I’d slightly lean the Devils win this one on the road and the under with the total at 6.5, but the best play on this game is nothing at all. I’ll lay off it completely.
Maple Leafs vs. Flames (7:30)
I think this cross conference matchup is pretty boring and kind of a big mismatch. The Leafs have had a very good season, tied with Tampa for second in the Atlantic, but they’re in a slump right now. Coming off a 4-2 loss at home to the Senators to get swept on the season in the Battle of Ontario, Toronto has just one win in their last six games. The Flames haven’t been great, with Dustin Wolf (who should be the Calder winner, but won’t be) being the only reason that they’re in the Wild Card race in the West, two points back from the Canucks for that second spot. Calgary’s struggled recently though, with just two wins in their last eight games, coming off a 4-2 loss at home to the Avs on Friday. The Maple Leafs won the first game between these teams 6-3 on the road in February and I like them to win here again at home to get out of this slump. I’ll take Toronto in regulation for half a unit. With the total at 5.5, I’d lean the over slightly, but didn’t consider betting the total.
Wild vs. Kings (8:00)
Boring Western Conference game to end the night between these two playoff teams. The Wild haven’t been great lately, dealing with a ton of injuries. Coming off a 5-1 loss at home to the Blues on Saturday, they have just one win in their last five games, still holding onto the first Wild Card spot in the West, six points ahead of Vancouver. The Kings have been on fire, a point behind Edmonton for home ice in the first round, in third place in the Pacific. Coming off a 1-0 overtime win at home against the Predators on Saturday, LA’s on a five game win streak. The Kings won both prior games between these teams convincingly, winning 5-1 on the road in November and then 4-1 at home in December. I like them to complete the season sweep here on the road and will take them for half a unit. I love the under here too, with two lousy offenses, but good defenses, which I’ll lay the juice on for half a unit as well.
Game Bets
.5u Bruins/Sabres over 5.5 (-125)
1u Lightning in regulation (-165)
.5u Maple Leafs in regulation (-130)
.5u Kings ML (-142)
.5u Kings/Wild under 5.5 (-142)
Futures
2u Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup (+1800)
Record: 459-420-13 (-57.18 units)
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