With horrendous late collapses for the Isles and especially the Stars, last night I went 2-6 on the NHL, losing 4.1 units. Not great. Let’s try to bounce back on tonight’s five game slate.
Lightning vs. Maple Leafs (7:00)
Great matchup here between the top two teams in the Atlantic. These teams are playing for seeding as the Bolts are two points back from the Leafs and two ahead of the Panthers. Tampa has an 8-3-1 record in their last twelve games, bouncing back from a shootout loss to the Sabres on Saturday with a 5-1 blowout win on the road against the Rangers on Monday night. The Leafs are in the second half of a back to back, having a four game win streak come to an end with a 3-1 loss on the road to the Panthers last night. They’ve been solid lately too with an 8-2-1 record in their last eleven games. Toronto’s 3-0 this season against the Lightning, winning 5-2 at home in October, 5-3 on the road in November, then 5-3 again at home in January. With the Leafs in the second half of a back to back, I’d lean the Bolts avoid the season sweep here at home tonight, but at -175, I feel like this is too expensive to bet on. I’d also slightly lean the under, but the right play on this game is just laying off of it entirely.
Rangers vs. Flyers (7:30)
Lousy Metro Division matchup here. The Rangers haven’t officially gotten eliminated from the playoffs quite yet, but they will be, eight points back form the Habs for the second Wild Card spot in the East. They’re coming off two losses in a row, losing 5-1 at home against the Lightning on Monday and they have just five wins in their last 16 games. The Flyers had a three game win streak come to an end on Saturday, losing 3-2 in Montreal. They have struggled all year, in last place in the East. These teams split their first two games, with Philly winning 3-1 at home in November and then the Rangers answering with a 6-1 win in January at MSG. I’d expect the Rags to win this one again at home, but the -185 is too expensive to trust New York. I’d slightly lean the over, but I’ll just lay off this game completely.
Wild vs. Sharks (8:00)
Terrible Western Conference game here. The Wild have struggled with a ton of injuries and they’re likely going to get bounced pretty quick by the Golden Knights or Jets in the first round as they limp into the playoffs in the second Wild Card, unless Calgary, who’s four points behind them catches them. Minnesota ended a four game losing streak on Sunday, beat the Stars 3-2 in overtime at home, just their second win in their last eight games. The Sharks are one of the worst teams in the NHL, and come into tonight on a six game losing streak after a 3-2 loss at home to the Flames on Monday. The Wild won both prior games on the road between these teams, winning 5-2 in November and then 3-1 at home in January. Although I don’t think Minny’s great, they’re still the far better team here, and the Sharks are a complete auto fade. I’ll take the Wild puck line and the Sharks team total under 2.5 for half a unit each. I’d lean the under since neither of these teams can score, but I’m not betting it.
Oilers vs. Blues (10:00)
This should be a solid game as both of these Western Conference teams are tied in points. The Oilers are struggling with a ton of injuries right now, including McDavid, Draisaitl, Ekholm, and Nugent-Hopkins. That’s a lot lacking from their lineup. They’re six points ahead of the Flames for third place in the Pacific, while still playing for home ice in the first round, four points back from the Kings. Edmonton’s lost their last two games in a row, losing 3-2 in Anaheim on Monday night. The Blues are the hottest team in the NHL since the 4 Nations break, in the first Wild Card spot in the West. They had a twelve game win streak come to an end on Monday, losing 3-1 in Winnipeg. The Oilers won both previous games between these teams, 4-2 at home in December and then 3-2 on the road in overtime to go into the 4 Nations break. I like the Blues to beat this shorthanded Oilers team and I’ll take St. Louis for a unit. I’d lean the under, but not quite enough to bet it at 5.5.
Ducks vs. Flames (10:00)
Pretty boring, bad matchup out West to end the night. I don’t think either of these teams are good. The Ducks are coming off a 3-2 win at home against the Oilers on Monday and haven’t been terrible lately with five wins in their last nine games. The Flames are exceeding expectations, but I still doubt they make the playoffs (thankfully). They have an outside shot at it, four points back from Minnesota. Coming off a 3-2 win in San Jose, Calgary’s gone 7-2-2 in their last eleven games. The Flames won all three previous games between these teams winning 3-2 in OT on the road in January, winning 4-1 at home in January, and then 4-1 again at home last Thursday. I’d slightly lean they complete the season sweep here on the road, but I just don’t trust them enough to bet it in what I think ends up being a close game again. I’d lean the under, but again, I’ll just stay off this shitty matchup. Go Ducks, I do not want to see boring ass Calgary getting smoke in the first round of the playoffs.
Game Bets
.5u Wild -1.5 (-130)
.5u Sharks TT under 2.5 (-190)
1u Blues ML (-105)
Futures
2u Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup (+1800)
Record: 547-472-14 (-49.45 units)
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