My six day win streak came to an end last night on the NHL with the Avs blowing a 2-0 third period lead, as I went 1-1 to lose 0.6 units. Let’s bounce back here and start April winning on tonight’s solid ten game slate!
Senators vs. Sabres (7:00)
Decent Atlantic Division game here to start the night despite the matchup not being the best for the second time in a week. The Senators are in the first Wild Card in the East, pretty comfortably seven points ahead of that huge log jam for the second spot. Coming off losing 1-0 in overtime to Sidney Crosby and the Penguins on Sunday evening, they have just three wins in their last seven games, but a 9-3-1 record in their last ten games. My Sabres have been brutal all year, still the worst team in the Eastern Conference, but they’re playing pretty well right now, with four wins in our last five games, coming off a pretty shocking 8-5 win in Washington. Surprisingly Buffalo is 3-0 against the Sens this year, winning 5-1 at home in November, a 4-0 shutout on the road in January, and then 3-2 in a solid game I thought they were slightly outplayed in exactly a week ago. Ottawa is still the better team, and I’d lean they avoid the season sweep with a win at home tonight, and I’d slightly lean the over, but the best play on this game is nothing at all. I’ll stay off it completely.
Bruins vs. Capitals (7:00)
Huge mismatch in the East. Since the trade deadline when they dismantled their roster, the Bruins have been one of the worst teams in the NHL. Coming off a 2-1 loss in Detroit on Saturday, they’re on an eight game losing streak with just three wins in their last 21 games. The Capitals lead the East comfortably, but come into tonight on a three game losing streak, shockingly losing 8-5 at home to the Sabres on Sunday afternoon. These teams split their first two games in December (when the B’s were a far different team), with Boston winning 4-1 at home and the Caps answering with a 3-1 win at home the following week. I like the Caps to get out of this losing streak with a big win on the road and I’ll take them in regulation for 1.5 units. Alex Ovechkin, who scored in Sunday’s loss is now just five away from Gretzky, and I like Ovi to score again, which I’ll take for half a unit. I’d slightly lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Canadiens vs. Panthers (7:00)
These Atlantic Division teams meet for the second half of a home and home tonight as the defending Cup Champs look to avoid the season sweep by the Habs. On Sunday afternoon in Florida, Montreal won 4-2 on the road after previously winning 3-1 at home earlier this month, and a 4-0 shutout at home in December. Sunday’s win ended a five game losing streak for the Canadiens, who are tied with the Rangers for the second Wild Card spot in the tight race in the East. The Panthers are tied with Tampa in second place in the division, now three points back from Toronto, with just three wins (all needing overtime) in their last seven games, but 15 wins in their last 22 games. Florida’s the far better team here and I like them to avoid the season sweep. I’ll take the Panthers and lay the -192 for half a unit. I’d lean the under slightly, but not enough to bet it.
Blue Jackets vs. Predators (7:00)
Not a great matchup and quite a boring game at that. The Blue Jackets are struggling lately but still just two points back from the Habs and Rangers for the second Wild Card spot in the tight race in the East. Coming off a 3-2 loss in Ottawa on Saturday, they have just two wins (both in shootouts) in their last nine games. The Predators have been awful all year. They’re in the second half of a back to back tonight, coming off a 2-1 loss in Philly last night, for their third loss in a row as they’ve won just two of their last ten games. In the first game between these teams, Nashville won 4-3 at home in overtime back in October. Columbus should definitely win this game at home, but the price at -205 is way too expensive and I don’t trust them right now to take them in regulation. I’d slightly lean the under, but I’m not touching this game.
Islanders vs. Lightning (7:30)
I think there’s some nice value on this mismatch in the East. These teams just played on Saturday, with the Lightning winning 5-3 at home, answering back from a 3-2 overtime loss at home in February. The Islanders have struggled this year and are on a five game losing streak, coming off a 6-4 loss in Carolina on Sunday, but still are just three points back from the second Wild Card. The Lightning are on a three game win streak coming off that win against the Isles and have six wins in their last eight games, tied with the Panthers, three points back from the Leafs for the Atlantic Division lead. I like Tampa to win this one on the road and I’ll take them for a unit. I’d lean the over as well, which I’ll take at 6 for half a unit.
Blues vs. Red Wings (8:00)
This Eastern Conference matchup isn’t great. The Blues are the hottest team in the NHL since the 4 Nations break, flying up the leaderboard, five points ahead of Calgary for the second Wild Card spit in the West and just a point behind the Wild. Coming off a 2-1 win in Colorado on Saturday, they’re on a nine game win streak with a 15-2-1 record in their last 18 games. The Red Wings are three points back from the second Wild Card in the East, but have struggled a lot lately. Coming off a 2-1 win at home against the Bruins on Saturday, they have just four wins in their last 15 games. St. Louis shut out the Red Wings 4-0 on the road the first time they played back in December. I like them to win again at home and will take them for a unit. I’d slightly lean the over, but not enough to bet it at 5.5.
Utah HC vs. Flames (9:00)
Such a boring matchup in the West. Utah is coming off a 5-2 win in Chicago on Sunday, ending a three game losing streak as they’ve been pretty inconsistent, with four wins in their last twelve games. The Flames are five points back from the Blues for the second Wild Card spot and have played pretty well lately. They’re in the second half of a back to back tonight, coming back from a 2-0 third period deficit in Colorado to win 3-2 in a shootout and they now have a 5-1-1 record in their last seven games. Utah won both previous games between these teams, 5-1 at home in October and 5-3 on the road in January. I’d lean they win again with Calgary on the road in the second half of a back to back, and I’d slightly lean the over, but the best play on this game is just laying off it.
Golden Knights vs. Oilers (10:00)
Really solid matchup in the Pacific Division that could be a playoff preview. The Golden Knights, have a few scenarios where they can clinch a playoff spot tonight and are playing great, seven points ahead of the Kings at the top of the division. Coming off a 3-1 win in Nashville on Saturday, they’re on a six game win streak with a 14-3-2 record in their last 19 games. The Oilers have struggled a bit, two points behind the Kings for home ice in the first round. They’re not playing terrible lately, with a 5-2-1 record in their last eight games, coming off a 3-2 overtime win in the Battle of Alberta at home on Saturday. Edmonton did get Draisaitl back, but they’re still without Connor McDavid. Vegas is 2-1 against the Oilers this year, winning 4-2 on the road in November, 1-0 in a shutout at home in December, then losing 6-3 a couple week later. I like the Knights to stay hot here and I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d lean the over very slightly, but not enough to bet it.
Ducks vs. Sharks (10:00)
Horrible California game as both of these Pacific Division teams have been horrible. The Ducks are coming off a 3-2 loss to the Leafs at home on Sunday in a pretty close game (nice nightcap win for me), and have three wins in their last five games after a pretty bad stretch. The Sharks are one of the worst teams in the NHL this year. They just got pounded two games in a row over the weekend, getting blown out 8-1 in LA on Sunday after getting beat 6-1 at home by the Rangers on Saturday. The Ducks won both prior games between these teams, winning 2-0 on the road and 3-1 at home, both in October. They should complete the season sweep tonight and I’ll take Anaheim for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but I’m not touching it since neither of these teams can score.
Kings vs. Jets (10:30)
Great game out West to end the night. Both of these teams have been very good. The Kings have a two point lead over Oilers for home ice in the first round, playing great right now. Coming off kicking the shit out of the Sharks 8-1 on Sunday night (easyyyy winner), they have ten wins in their last 13 games. The Jets lead the Western Conference, but do have the Stars hot on their tail, just four points back and those two teams and the Caps battle for the President’s Trophy. Coming off a 3-1 win against the Canucks on Sunday, they’re on a three game win streak with nine wins in their last twelve games. LA won both games between these teams, winning 4-1 in November at home and then 2-1 in overtime on the road in December. This game’s a complete toss up to me. My initial lean was the Kings at home, but the Jets are the better team and I don’t really see them getting swept on the season. I didn’t even consider betting a side in this one. It’s a very intriguing game. I’d lean the under, but I’ll just lay off this game.
Game Bets
1.5u Capitals in regulation (-125)
.5u Alex Ovechkin anytime goal (+112)
.5u Panthers ML (-192)
1u Lightning ML (-175)
.5u Lightning/Islanders over 6 (-110)
1u Blues ML (-175)
.5u Golden Knights ML (-162)
.5u Ducks ML (-192)
Futures
2u Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup (+1800)
Record: 519-445-13 (-42.78 units)
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