After my sweep on Tuesday, I went 1-3 yesterday, erasing most of that win, as I lost 2.28 units. Let’s bounce right back on tonight’s interesting eleven game NHL slate.
In hindsight, not my best picks yesterday. I should have stuck with just a half unit betting against the Sabres (which I still would have been Ottawa there), and I should have stayed off the Red Wings/Florida game. Oh well. Live and learn, and we’ll adjust going forward.
Maple Leafs vs. Rangers (7:00)
This game isn’t great. The Leafs are 2-2 and come off a big 7-4 bounce back win at home on Tuesday against the Preds after losing both of their home and home with Detroit. The Rangers have been pretty bad in their 2-3 start (with those wins coming against Buffalo and Boston) and are the first team in NHL history to be shut out in all of their first three home games. I like the Leafs to win here on home ice, and I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but I’m not touching it.
Canadiens vs. Predators (7:00)
This game doesn’t really get the juices flowing for me. The Habs are a really fun team young team, and their 5-4 overtime win at home agains the Kraken on Tuesday night was electric to watch. I think they’re a playoff team again this year after sneaking in. I don’t think the Preds are all that great, and haven’t improved much from last year’s horrendous season, despite their 2-1-1 record to start this season. I like Montreal to win this one at home, and I’ll take them for half a unit.
Senators vs. Kraken (7:00)
Not the best cross conference matchup. The Sens are coming off an embarrassing 8-4 loss in Buffalo yesterday. After missing yesterday’s game with injury, it was just announced that the Sens captain and best player, Brady Tkachuk will be out till at least Thanksgiving after undergoing surgery today. It was pretty clear they struggled without him yesterday. I don’t think the Kraken are all that great, even with their 2-0-1 record to start the season. This game’s a complete toss up to me, and especially with Ottawa in the second half of a back to back tonight, I’ll stay off it. I’d slightly lean the over.
Devils vs. Panthers (7:00)
Interesting matchup here. I think both of these teams are getting in the playoffs in the East. The Devils are coming off two big wins on the road in Columbus and Tampa after starting the year with a 6-3 loss in Carolina. Starting goaltender Jacob Markstrom is out a few weeks for them, which isn’t great for them. The defending back to back Cup Champs are coming off two losses in a row, and in the second half of a back to back, after a 4-1 loss in Detroit yesterday (that I should have stayed off). I think Florida’s obviously the better team here, but with all of their injuries and in the second half of a back to back on the road, I’ll stay off this game entirely. I’d lean the over.
Flyers vs. Jets (7:00)
This cross conference matchup isn’t great here. I think the Flyers will improve this year under Rick Tocchet, but they’re still not a good team and quite a ways away from being a playoff team. The Jets have the best goalie in the world and they’re a very solid team that should contend in the Central. I like Winnipeg to win here on the road and I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d lean the under, but not enough to bet it.
Blue Jackets vs. Avalanche (7:00)
Fun matchup for this cross conference game, but it’s also a mismatch. Columbus should contend for a Wild Card spot in the East, and I think they fall short, but they’ll be a competitive team and fun to watch. The Avalanche on the other hand are a Stanley Cup contender and a loaded team with a ton of depth. I’ll take the Avs here on the road for half a unit. I’d lean the over.
Islanders vs. Oilers (7:30)
Huge mismatch for this cross conference game. I think the Islanders are a bottom tier team in the NHL, while the Oilers should be right back to contending for the Cup (but likely fall short, again). This should be an easy win for Edmonton on the road, at a cheaper price than it should be. I’ll take the Oil for half a unit (can’t go heavy this early in the year). The total’s a complete toss up to me.
Stars vs. Canucks (8:00)
This should be a pretty solid game in the West. The Stars have looked fantastic offensively, scoring five goals in all three of their wins to start the season 3-0. The Canucks haven’t looked all that great, coming in off two losses in a row, losing 5-2 at home to the Blues on Monday. I like Dallas to get the win here at home and I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Golden Knights vs. Bruins (10:00)
Biggest mismatch on the slate here. The Golden Knights are my pick to win the Cup despite their 2-0-2 start to the year. They’re coming off a big 4-2 win in Calgary on Tuesday, erasing a 2-0 first period deficit. The Bruins have exceeded my expectations in their 3-1 start, since I expected them to be in the basement of the league this year, but two of those wins came against the Sabres and Blackhawks, so I’m not putting much stock into those. Vegas is the way better team here and I expect them to win pretty easily at home. I’ll take them in regulation for half a unit. I’d slightly lean the over, but I don’t have much feel for it.
Ducks vs. Hurricanes (10:00)
Pretty big mismatch here. The Ducks have slightly improved and they’re 2-1 to start the year, but haven’t really faced a great team yet, with a loss to Seattle and wins against the Sharks and Penguins. The Hurricanes are easily the best team in the Metro Division and have a perfect 3-0 start to the year. I like the Canes to win here pretty easy, and I’ll lay the pricey -195 for half a unit on the road. I’d lean the over, but I’m not betting it.
Kings vs. Penguins (10:00)
Lousy cross conference game to end the night. The Kings haven’t been all that impressive in their 1-2-1 start, but I still think they’re a pretty solid team, and they’ve had a pretty tough schedule to start the year. The Penguins stink, and I like LA to win here at home. I’ll take them in regulation for half a unit.
Bonus: I’ll throw in a 0.2 unit parlay on all the MLs for all my picks tonight. Let’s sweep the board!
Bets
.5u Maple Leafs ML (-135)
.5u Canadiens ML (-155)
.5u Jets ML (-145)
.5u Avalanche ML (-165)
.5u Oilers ML (-170)
.5u Stars ML (-175)
.5u Golden Knights in regulation (-155)
.5u Hurricanes ML (-195)
.5u Kings in regulation (-140)
.2u ML parlay: Maple Leafs/Canadiens/Jets/Avalanche/Stars/Golden Knights/Hurricanes/Kings (+8318)
Record: 19-18 (-9.45 units)
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