The puck drops on a new NHL season tonight, one of the best days of the year and I’m pumped for hockey to be back. The last couple years haven’t been my best on betting hockey, but it’s a new year, fresh slate, let’s crush it!
The first month of the season has some strange results as team start to get their footing, so I’ll be betting a bit cautiously, sticking with mainly half unit plays to start the year.
Panthers vs. Blackhawks (5:00)
Not a great game to start the season as the defending Stanley Cup Champions raise their second banner in a row against one of the worst teams in the league. Florida has dominated the last two seasons, winning the Cup back to back against the Oilers and winning the Eastern Conference three seasons in a row. They’re going to be missing their two best players to start the season, with Barkov out for the year with a torn ACL that he sustained during training camp and Matthew Tkachuk out the first several months of the season, but this is still an elite team. The Blackhawks on the other hand I expect to finish in the bottom five of the league again this year. This is not a great team and they haven’t done anything really significant to improve in the offseason. The price is too expensive to bet the moneyline, but I’ll take the Panthers in regulation for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Rangers vs. Penguins (8:00)
Kind of a boring opening night matchup in the Metro Division. The Rangers had quite the disappointing season last year, coming in far under expectations and missing the playoffs. The Penguins were expected to be bad, and were, also missing the playoffs. I think New York improves this season and likely contends for a playoff spot while Pittsburgh I expect to be in the basement of the league, unfortunately for Sidney Crosby. I like the Rags to win this one at home to open the season and I’ll take them in regulation for half a unit. I’d slightly lean the under with Igor Shesterkin in goal for New York, but not enough to bet it.
Kings vs. Avalanche (10:30)
Easily the best game on this opening night card, by far. Both of these teams were very good last season, both making the playoffs, but being eliminated in the first round by the two teams that met in the Western Conference Finals. The Kings lost in six games to the Oilers, essentially beating themselves, blowing huge leads early in the series, and the Avalanche went to Game 7, losing to Dallas. I’d give a slight edge to LA at home in this matchup, just cause they’re at home, but I think the Avs are slightly more talented, so I’ll stay off the side, especially in night one of the season. I’d lean the under slightly, but the best move is staying off this game entirely.
Bets
.5u Panthers in regulation (-180)
.5u Rangers in regulation (-150)
Record: 0-0 (0 units)
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