Pretty much a break even Sunday for me on the NHL yesterday despite going 3-4, just losing a couple bucks. Tonight we have a six game slate of some meaningless games with just a few days left in the regular season. Let’s find some value and win.
Canadiens vs. Blackhawks (7:00)
Big mismatch in this cross conference game, yet it does actually matter as the Habs can clinch their spot in the playoffs with a win tonight. Montreal got dominated on Saturday night in Toronto, getting outshot 35-15, but taking it to overtime in a scoreless game until Mitch Marner won it in OT. That was the second loss in a row for the Canadiens after they had went on a six game win streak before that. The Blackhawks are one of the worst teams in the NHL, and have just three wins in their last 17 games, coming off a 5-4 shootout loss at home to the Jets (loss for me since I had Winnipeg in regulation). Chicago won the first game between these teams 4-2 at home back in January. I like the Habs to answer back here and punch their tickets to Washington to face the Caps in the first round (who I think they lose to in probably five games). I’ll take Montreal in regulation for a unit. I’d lean the under, but not enough to bet it.
Red Wings vs. Stars (7:00)
Completely meaningless game here. The Red Wings are out of the playoffs, and although they’re coming off a 4-3 overtime win in Tampa on Friday with a 4-2-1 record in their last seven games, they have just seven wins in their last 21 games. The Stars haven’t been great heading into the playoffs, but this game means nothing for them, with home ice against the Avalanche in the first round already locked up. This probably isn’t how they want to go into the playoffs though, on a five game losing streak, the first time all year that they’ve lost more than two in a row, coming off a 5-3 loss at home to Utah. Dallas won the first game between these teams 4-1 at home in January. If this game meant something, I’d be on the Stars here to end their losing streak on the road, but I could see them just mail in these last few games, so I’ll lay off this one. The total’s a toss up.
Panthers vs. Rangers (7:00)
Not the best game in the East without much to play for. The Panthers are on a three game win streak, coming off a 3-2 shootout win on Saturday against my Sabres, in a game that they rested half their players, which I’m assuming they’ll do again tonight. Florida does actually have something to play for though, two points back from the Lightning for home ice in the first round and four back from Toronto to win the division. The Rangers blow this year, missing the playoffs and in complete disarray as an organization. Coming off a 7-3 loss in Carolina on Saturday that was overshadowed by Calvin de Haan’s criticism of getting fucked by the coaching staff and organization, something that he’s not the first to comment on in New York. The Rags have just one win in their last five games. Florida won both previous games between these teams, 3-1 on the road in October and 5-3 at home in December. I like them even with a depleted lineup to complete the season sweep here and I’ll take them for half a unit. Total’s a toss up again here.
Predators vs. Utah HC (8:00)
Pretty bad matchup in the Central Division between two teams that have been out of the playoffs for a while. The Predators have had an awful season, a horrible disappointment this year. Coming off giving up the game winner late to lose 5-3 in Vegas (nice win for me) late Saturday night, they have just two wins (both needing OT) in their last nine games. Utah’s been pretty solid lately, with a 5-1-1 record in their last seven games, coming off a 5-3 win in Dallas on Saturday. The shootout loss just came at home to Nashville last Thursday after the Preds had won the first game between these teams with a 4-0 shutout at home in November. I like Utah to avoid the season sweep here and I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it at 6.5
Oilers vs. Kings (10:00)
This should have been a nice preview of our first round series in the Pacific with this matchup locked in as they play tonight for home ice with the Kings leading the Oilers by two points, but the Oilers are sitting 3/4 of their team to try to get healthy for the playoffs, as that whole lineup is banged up. Edmonton’s coming into tonight on a three game win streak, in the second half of a back to back, after a 4-1 win in Winnipeg last night. LA’s playing great right now. Coming off a 5-4 win at home against the Avs on Saturday, they have just one loss in their last seven games. The Kings are 2-1 this season against the Oil, winning 4-3 in overtime at home in December, losing 1-0 in Edmonton in January, and then winning 3-0 at home earlier this month. With everyone sitting for Edmonton and the Oilers in the second half of a back to back, I like the Kings to lock up home ice tonight on the road and I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d slightly lean the under, but not enough to bet it.
Canucks vs. Sharks (10:00)
Bad game in the Pacific to end the night. The Canucks are playing decent right now, despite missing the playoffs with plenty of struggles through the year, with a 3-1-1 record in their last five games, coming off a 3-2 overtime loss at home to the Wild on Saturday. San Jose meanwhile, coming off a 5-2 loss in Calgary last night, are the worst team in the league. They have the best lottery odds for the 1st overall pick locked up, and are on a nine game losing streak. Vancouver’s 3-0 against the Sharks this year, winning 3-2 on the road in November, 4-3 at home in December, and 2-1 in overtime on the road in February. With the Sharks in the second half of a back to back, I like the Canucks to complete the season sweep here pretty easily, and San Jose’s been an auto-fade all year. The prices on this game are ridiculous, but I’ll take a half unit shot on the Vancouver puck line. I’d lean the over, but I’m not touching it.
Game Bets
1u Canadiens in regulation (-180)
.5u Panthers ML (-175)
.5u Utah ML (-155)
.5u Kings ML (-170)
.5u Canucks -1.5 (-130)
Futures
2u Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup (+1800)
Record: 558-489-14 (-56.15 units)
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