Yesterday I went 3-3 on the NHL, squeaking out a small 0.21 unit profit. Let’s keep the pretty hot run going with not a great four game slate tonight.
Devils vs. Canucks (7:30)
Kind of a boring cross conference game here to start off the night. The Devils are still a solid team although I don’t see them getting past Carolina in the first round in any way. They have just one win in their last four games, coming off a 3-2 loss at home to the Senators on Saturday. The Canucks aren’t really, now five points back from the Blues for the second Wild Card in the West, coming off a 5-3 loss on the road to the Rangers on Saturday. Jersey won the first game between these teams with a 6-0 blowout shutout on the road back in October. I’d lean the Devils win here at home, but both of these teams have been so inconsistent that I don’t think they’re worth betting. I’d lean the over slightly, but not enough to bet that either, so I’ll lay off this game completely.
Islanders vs. Blue Jackets (7:30)
This Metro Division matchup isn’t great as both of these teams have struggled. The Islanders have been better as of late, on a five game point streak coming off a 4-3 overtime loss at home to the Flames on Saturday, but they have just three wins in their last seven games. The Blue Jackets have come crashing down after seemingly being the favorite to make that second Wild Card spot in the East. Coming off a 6-3 loss in Pittsburgh (easy win on my over, cashing in the second period) on Friday night, they’re on a six game win streak with just one win in their last nine games, getting shut out four times in that span. These teams split their first two games, each winning at home, a 2-0 shutout win for the Jackets in October and a 3-1 win for the Isles in January. I’d slightly lean New York wins at home tonight, but no shot I’m betting it. The total’s a complete toss up. I’ll stay off this game entirely.
Stars vs. Wild (8:00)
I think this Central Division game, despite both of these teams likely making playoffs is still a pretty big mismatch. The Stars are three points ahead of the Avs for home ice in the first round and a very good team this season, but they’ve been pretty inconsistent as of late. On Saturday they blew a 2-0 lead early, needing overtime to beat the Flyers 3-2 at home (screwing me on my regulation bet) and have a 3-1-2 record in their last six games. The Wild have dealt with a ton of significant injuries this year, in the first Wild Card in the West, still four points back from the Avalanche for third place in the Central and four ahead of the Blues. They’re on a three game win streak, coming off a solid 4-1 win at home against my Sabres on Saturday afternoon where they dominated the last 40 minutes after a bit of a slower start. These teams split their first two games, both winning on the road, a 2-1 win for the Stars in November and a 3-2 overtime win for the Wild in December where they erased a 2-0 deficit with less than ten minutes left to go. I like Dallas to win this one at home and I’ll take them (with a boost) for half a unit. I’d lean the under, but not enough to bet it with the under 5.5 juiced up.
Utah HC vs. Red Wings (9:00)
Not the most interesting cross conference game to end the night. Utah’s playing solid hockey right now, but they’re still six points back from the Blues chasing that second Wild Card spot in the West. Coming off a somewhat surprising 6-4 win at home against the Lightning at home on Saturday, they have an 11-5-2 record in their last 18 games. The Red Wings have dropped pretty far back from the second Wild Card in the East, coming into tonight with just two wins in their last eleven games, coming off a 6-3 loss in Vegas on Saturday. These teams just played earlier this month with Utah winning 4-2 in Detroit. I like the Utah Hockey Club to win this one at home and I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Game Bets
.5u Stars ML (-182)
.5u Utah ML (-166)
Futures
2u Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup (+1800)
Record: 484-435-13 (-54.75 units)
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A Town's Zone 