I broke even last night on the NHL, going 4-3, technically winning a couple bucks. Tonight we have just a five game slate before a loaded slate this weekend as the regular season nears its end. Let’s win!
Senators vs. Canadiens (7:00)
Solid matchup in the Atlantic Division to get the night started between the two Wild Card teams in the East. Both of these teams are playing solid hockey at the right time heading into the playoffs. The Senators had a three game win streak come to an end on Tuesday night with a 5-2 loss in Columbus and are still without their best player, Brady Tkachuk. The Habs are coming off a 4-1 win at home against Detroit on Tuesday and they’re now on a six game win streak. Montreal’s won all three previous games between these teams, winning 4-1 in the first week of the season at home, 5-2 in Ottawa in February and then 6-3 at home last month. I’d lean the Sens avoid the season sweep with a win at home tonight, but I don’t like it quite enough to bet on. I’d also lean the under, but think the best play on this game is just staying off it completely.
Lightning vs. Red Wings (7:00)
Pretty big mismatch in the Atlantic. The Lightning are coming off a 4-3 overtime loss at home to the Leafs on Wednesday as they try to chase them down in the race at the top of the division, three points back from the Leafs, and one ahead of the Panthers for home ice in the first round. They have just one win in their last four games, but have a 5-1-2 record in their last eight game. Detroit hasn’t been great, out of the playoffs and in the second half of a back to back, coming off a 4-1 loss in Florida on Thursday with just six wins in their last 20 games. Tampa’s gone 2-1 against the Red Wings this year, winning 5-1 at home in January, losing 2-0 on the road in January, then answering back with a 6-3 win on the road in February. I like the Bolts here again and I’ll take them in regulation for a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it at 6.5 or buy it down.
Devils vs. Penguins (7:00)
Lousy matchup in the Metro here. The Devils are coming off a 7-2 loss at home against the Bruins, quite a surprise of a result, ending a three game win streak. I don’t think Jersey’s great and fully expect them to probably get swept (maybe squeak out one win) by Carolina in the first round. The Penguins have been horrible all season. They’re coming off a 5-0 win at home against the Blackhawks on Tuesday in the second half of a home and home, with just three wins in their last eight games. The Devils are 2-1 this season against Pittsburgh, winning 3-0 at home in December, then 3-2 in a shootout on the road in February, then losing 7-3 on the road in March. I like New Jersey to win this one at home and I’ll take them in regulation for half a unit. I’d lean the the under at 6.5 and the over at 5.5, but based on that evaluation, I’m clearly not betting it.
Oilers vs. Sharks (9:30)
Horrendous mismatch out West in the Pacific. The Oilers got Connor McDavid back in the lineup on Wednesday night (which I didn’t know or I wouldn’t have been betting on St. Louis), getting three assists on the way to a 4-3 win at home against the Blues. Even without Draisaitl and McDavid for most of these games lately, they’ve won eight of their last 13 games. The Sharks are one of the worst teams in the NHL this year, coming into tonight on a seven game losing streak. They put up a show on Tuesday in an incredible game, coming back from a 7-4 third period deficit, but still losing 8-7 in OT to the Wild on the road. Edmonton won both previous games between these teams 3-2, in OT at home in December and then on the road last Thursday. I obviously expect the Oilers to win this one but the books do too, with the price all the way up to -400 now. I’ll take the Edmonton puck line for a unit. I’d lean the over as well, but with the 6.5 juiced all the way to -135, I don’t think its worth betting.
Flames vs. Wild (10:00)
Quite the interesting matchup to end the night in an important game for the last remaining Wild Card spot with all the other playoff teams locked in, as the Flames are five points behind the Wild and Blues in the chase. Calgary hasn’t played all that great lately, overachieving this year with solid goaltending. They’re on a four game point streak, coming off a 4-3 overtime loss in Anaheim on Wednesday, and have a 7-2-3 record in their last twelve games. The Wild are coming off such a fun 8-7 overtime win on Wednesday night, their second win in a row. Kaprizov and Eriksson Ek both came back and made a big impact in that game, with Kirill scoring the game winner with his second of the game on a three point night and Eriksson Ek scoring four goals. The Flames won both previous games between these teams 4-3 in a shootout at home in November and a 5-4 win on the road in January. I’d slightly lean Minnesota wins this one on the road to clinch their spot in the playoffs (if they win in regulation) and avoid the season sweep, but definitely not enough to bet it. I’d lean the under in what I expect to play out similar to a playoff game, but I don’t see any edge in betting this game, so I’ll lay off it completely.
Game Bets
1u Lightning in regulation (-180)
.5u Devils in regulation (-125)
1u Oilers -1.5 (-155)
Futures
2u Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup (+1800)
Record: 551-478-14 (-52.07 units)
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A Town's Zone 