The Leafs ruined what should have been a fantastic night for me, but regardless I was still profitable yesterday on the NHL for the third straight night, going 4-2 to win 0.47 units. Let’s keep the streak going on tonight’s six game slate to head into the weekend!
Panthers vs. Utah HC (7:00)
Not the best cross conference matchup. The Panthers are now a point back from the Leafs for the Atlantic Division lead and after being one of the hottest teams in the league, they’ve cooled off a bit lately with three wins in their last seven games, coming off needing a shootout to beat the Penguins 4-3 at home on Sunday. They’re adding to the lineup tonight as Brad Marchand will make his Panthers debut tonight after getting traded from the Bruins in a shocking move at the deadline. Utah hasn’t had a great season and are in the second half of a back to back tonight, coming off getting blown out 8-0 in Tampa last night (such an easy winner for me). Florida won the first game between these teams 4-1 on the road in January, and especially with Utah in the second half of a back to back tonight, I like the Panthers to win again. I’ll take the Cup Champs in regulation for half a unit. I also like Marchy to get a point in his debut, which I’ll also take for half a unit. I’d slightly lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Hurricanes vs. Canadiens (7:00)
This Eastern Conference matchup isn’t great. The Hurricanes are coming off a surprising 3-1 loss at home to the Predators on Tuesday, but are comfortably in second place in the Metro. They’re on a hot run right now with nine wins in their last eleven games. The Habs have a point lead over the Isles and Rangers, still hanging onto the second Wild Card in the East, but they’re struggling right now. In the second half of a back to back after a 6-4 loss in Philly last night, they’re on a four game losing streak. Montreal won the first game between these teams with a 4-0 shutout win at home in February. I like the Canes to answer back here and I’ll take them in regulation for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but didn’t even consider betting on it.
Blue Jackets vs. Canucks (7:00)
Pretty lousy cross conference matchup between two struggling teams on the outside looking in on Wild Card spots. The Blue Jackets are two points back from the Habs for the second Wild Card in the East. They ended a six game losing streak on Monday against the Isles with a 4-3 shootout win on Long Island. The Canucks are coming off a win in Long Island as well, beating the Isles 5-2 on Wednesday. They’ve played pretty decent lately with a 5-2-1 record in their last eight games, but they’re still five points back from the surging Blues for the second Wild Card in the West. Vancouver won the first game between these teams 5-2 at home in December. I’d lean the Blue Jackets answer back at home, and I’d lean the over, but I’m not touching this game.
Jets vs. Devils (8:00)
A few months ago I would have thought this was going to be a great game, but it isn’t excellent and kind of a big mismatch to me. The Jets have been fantastic, in a two team battle for the President’s Trophy with the Capitals, who they beat 3-2 in overtime at home on Tuesday night. They’ve won seven of their last ten games. The Devils haven’t been great, coming off a 5-3 win in Chicago on Wednesday night, ending a three game losing streak. They’re pretty much locked into third place in the Metro and without Jack Hughes, I think they’re going to either get swept or lose in five games in the first round to Carolina. Winnipeg dominated the first game between these teams on the road, winning 6-1 earlier this month. I like the Jets to win this one again at home and I’ll lay the -192 for a unit. The total’s a complete toss up to me that I’ll stay off.
Blackhawks vs. Golden Knights (8:30)
Huge mismatch out West. The Blackhawks are one of the two worst teams in the NHL this season. Coming off a 5-3 loss at home to the Devils on Wednesday, they have just one win in their last nine games. This team’s brutal. The Golden Knights, despite their struggles on the road where they’re just 16-13-5, are my pick to win the Cup. They have a five point lead over the Kings, coming into tonight on a four game win streak after a 4-1 win in Minnesota on Tuesday. These teams split their first two games this season, with Chicago surprisingly winning 5-3 at home in January and the Knights answering with a 7-5 win late in February at home. I love Vegas to win again here on the road tonight and I’ll take their puck line for a unit. I’d lean the over, but not quite enough to bet on at 6.5.
Ducks vs. Rangers (10:00)
Lousy cross conference matchup to end the night. The Ducks have struggled all season. They’re coming off a 6-2 win at home against the Bruins on Wednesday, just their fourth win in their last eleven games. The Rangers have struggled as well, but are just a point back from Montreal for the second Wild Card in the East. Coming off a 3-1 loss in LA on Tuesday, they have only three wins in their last eleven games. New York grinded out a 2-1 win at home the first time these teams played this year back in October. They’re the better team and should win on the road, but I don’t trust them enough to bet on. I’d also lean the under since both of these teams are pretty abysmal offensively, but I’ll lay off this game completely.
Game Bets
.5u Panthers in regulation (-155)
.5u Brad Marchand over 0.5 point (-145)
.5u Hurricanes -1.5 (-130)
1u Jets ML (-192)
1u Golden Knights -1.5 (-125)
Futures
2u Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup (+1800)
Record: 499-440-13 (-51.04 units)
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A Town's Zone 