Winning night for me on the NHL yesterday, going 4-2 to win .8 units. I’ll take it. Tonight’s the second last day of the regular season with a six game slate, with all but one game being completely meaningless. Let’s win again!
Canadiens vs. Hurricanes (7:00)
A month ago this would’ve been a boring game, a huge mismatch that I probably wouldn’t think a second about, but tonight it’s the only game on tonight’s slate that matters, with the Habs looking to clinch their spot in the playoffs against the Capitals if they get at least a point tonight. Montreal comes into tonight on a three game losing streak, off a 4-3 shootout loss at home in a crazy game against the Blackhawks on Monday night, but they have played well lately with a 6-1-2 record in their last nine games. The Hurricanes have been playing for nothing for a while, with the #2 seed locked up in the Metro with home ice against the Devils, who they should crush in the first round. They have just one win in their last six games, coming off a 4-1 loss at home to the Leafs on Sunday. These teams split their first two games, with the Habs winning 4-0 at home in February and the Hurricanes winning 4-1 at home late in March. With nothing to play for for Carolina, I like the Habs to punch their ticket to the playoffs tonight and I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Jets vs. Ducks (7:00)
Pretty lousy game out West. The Jets won the President’s Trophy and last night got their opponent for the first round, preparing to play the St. Louis Blues. Winnipeg’s had a great year, and had a three game win streak come to an end on Sunday with a 4-1 loss at home to the Oilers. They don’t have anything to play for tonight, likely resting a bunch of guys for playoffs. The Ducks have had a lousy season, coming into tonight on a three game losing streak in the second half of a back to back after a 3-2 overtime loss in Minnesota last night (with Marc-Andre Fleury getting his final win of his NHL career). Anaheim shockingly won both previous games between these teams 3-2 at home in December and then 4-3 in overtime on the road in January. I’d expect even with sitting guys, Winnipeg should win this game at home to avoid the season sweep, especially with the Ducks in the second half of a back to back, but I don’t like it at -300 whatsoever when they’re playing for nothing. I’d slightly lean the under, but I’ll lay off this game completely.
Devils vs. Red Wings (7:30)
This is a bad matchup in the East. The Devils are locked into the #3 seed in the Metro, preparing to play the Hurricanes (who I think smoke them) in the first round. They are in the second half of a back to back tonight, coming off a 5-4 overtime win in Boston last night, ending a three game losing streak. The Red Wings had a bad year, missing the playoffs. They’re coming off two wins in a row after a 6-4 win at home against the Stars on Monday night. These teams split their first two games in Detroit this season, with Detroit winning 5-3 at home in October and the Devils answering with a 5-4 win on the road in November. With Jersey likely resting guys for the playoffs tonight and in the second half of a back to back, I’d lean the Red Wings win this one at home. I’d also lean the over, but the right move on this game is just staying off it entirely.
Predators vs. Stars (8:00)
Lousy mismatch in the Central Division in a meaningless game. The Predators have been the biggest disappointment of the season this year, one of the worst teams in the league. They’re coming off two losses in a row after getting blown out 7-3 at home against Utah on Monday. The Stars have had a great season, but they’ve been bad lately, likely just resting for the playoffs and mailing these games in, with home ice locked up in the first round against the Avalanche. Coming off a 6-4 loss in Detroit on Monday, they’re on a six game losing streak. Dallas is 2-1 this season against the Reds, winging 4-3 on the road in the first week of the season, losing 4-1 at home in December, and then winning 5-1 earlier this month at home. I’d lean the Stars get a win here on the road to head into the playoffs on a high note, but I don’t see it worth betting on at -170 in a meaningless game. I do like the over in this one though, which I’ll take for half a unit.
Canucks vs. Golden Knights (10:00)
This should be a fun, meaningless game in the Pacific. The Canucks had a disappointing season missing the playoffs after winning the division last year. They’ve played relatively well lately though, on a four game point streak with a 4-1-1 record in their last six games, letting me down as they needed overtime to beat the Sharks 2-1 at home on Monday night. The Golden Knights on the other hand are still my pick to win the Cup this year, just as they were going into the season. They won the Pacific Division with their matchup for the first round set against the Wild, who they should handle pretty easily. Vegas is in the second half of a back to back tonight, coming off a 5-4 shootout loss in Calgary last night, blowing a 3-1 third period lead but they do have a 10-2-2 record in their last 14 games. They are 3-0 this season against Vancouver, winning 3-1 at home in December, 3-1 at home in February, and 3-2 on the road earlier this month. I’d lean with the Knights likely sitting a bunch of guys to get ready for the playoffs tonight and in the second half of a back to back, that the Canucks win at home and avoid the season sweep, but I’m not touching it. I’d also lean the under slightly, but not enough to bet it. I’ll lay off this game.
Sharks vs. Oilers (10:30)
Horrible mismatch in the Pacific to end the night. The Sharks have been the worst team in the NHL this season and have the best lottery odds for the first overall pick locked up. Coming off a 2-1 overtime loss in Vancouver, they’re on a ten game losing streak going into this last game of the season. The Oilers will be heading to LA this weekend, locked into third place in the division, with yet another meeting against the Kings. They’re coming off a 5-0 shutout loss at home to those Kings in a meaningless game on Monday, ending a three game win streak in a game where they sat all their impact players, which I’d expect them to do again tonight. The Oilers are 3-0 this season against San Jose, winning 3-2 in overtime in December at home, 3-2 on the road earlier this month, and 4-2 at home last Friday. Even with Edmonton sitting half their team, I still like them to complete the season sweep here on the road and I’ll take them in regulation for half a unit. I’d slightly lean the over, but don’t like it enough to bet on.
Game Bets
.5u Canadiens ML (-130)
.5u Stars/Predators over 6.5 (-105)
.5u Oilers in regulation (-130)
Futures
2u Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup (+1800)
Record: 564-494-14 (-57.68 units)
Please follow me:
Instagram: @atownszone
Twitter: @atownszone
If you like the site and my work, share it with your friends!
… and tell Dave Portnoy to hire me at Barstool…
A Town's Zone 