I went a perfect 2-0 on the NHL on last night’s loaded sports night to win a unit. Today we have a big 10 game slate, let’s win again!
Maple Leafs vs. Devils (7:00)
Solid game in the East to get the night started. The Leafs have been a mixed bag in their 3-2-1 start to the season, coming off a 4-3 overtime loss at home to the Kraken on Saturday. The Devils meanwhile are on a four game win streak, coming off Saturday’s big 5-3 win against the Oilers at home. I still have more trust in Toronto on the season, but the best move on this game’s just laying off it entirely. The total’s pretty much a toss up to me.
Senators vs. Oilers (7:00)
This cross conference matchup up in Canada isn’t great with both of these teams struggling. The Senators are really having issues without Brady Tkachuk, losing 5-4 to the Islanders on Saturday, with only one win, that they need overtime for in their last five games. The Oilers are on a three game losing streak of their own, off a 4-2 loss in Detroit on Sunday afternoon. Edmonton should win this one on the road and I’ll take a half unit shot on them to end this losing streak. I’d slightly lean the under, but I’m not touching it.
Islanders vs. Sharks (7:00)
Horrendous matchup as these have been two bad teams to start the year, and I’d expect them both to finish in the bottom five, while both improving for the future. I’d lean the Isles win this one at home, but the -215 price is ridiculous on it, almost making there be value on San Jose. So I’m not touching that. I considered the over, but at 6.5, I don’t think it’s worth betting. I’ll lay off this game entirely.
Penguins vs. Canucks (7:00)
Not a great cross conference matchup here. Both of these teams are overachieving a bit from my expectations for them, both coming in at 4-2. I think the Canucks are the slightly better team and I’d lean they win, along with the over, but I don’t like anything enough on this game to bet it. I’ll stay off it completely.
Capitals vs. Kraken (7:00)
Interesting cross conference matchup. The Capitals are a fantastic team once again this year, and had a four game win streak come to an end as their comeback effort fell short in their Sunday matinee, losing 4-3 at home to the Kraken after going down 3-0 in the first period. The Kraken started hot, but are in the second half of a back to back tonight, coming off their first regulation loss of the season, losing 5-2 in Philly last night. They do still have just one win in their last four games, and I’m not sold on them being any good. I like the Caps to bounce back here and I’ll take them in regulation for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Bruins vs. Panthers (7:30)
This isn’t a great injury, and all the injuries for the Panthers makes it even less interesting, with both of these teams on four game losing streaks after 3-0 starts to the year. The Bruins I expect to be in the basement of the league, and they’ve regressed back to expectations. The Panthers I think will be just fine, especially considering all their injuries. I like Florida to win here on the road and I’ll take the double Cup champs for half a unit to bounce back from their 3-0 shutout loss in Buffalo on Saturday afternoon. But there’s one player I expect to play this game like he’s playing for the Stanley Cup again…the rat king, Brad Marchand, making his return to Boston after the former Bruins captain was traded at the deadline on his way to his second Stanley Cup win, exactly 16 years after his Bruins debut. I’ll take him to record over half a point in his return tonight. The total’s a complete toss up to me.
Blues vs. Kings (8:00)
Kind of an interesting matchup in the West. The Blues have been a mixed bag this season in their 3-2 start, looking great at times, like in their 3-1 win against the Stars at home on Saturday, but also losing horribly to the Blackhawks and Wild. I think they’re a decent team, but have been hard to read this early in the season. The Kings have been very disappointing in their 1-3-2 start, on a four game losing streak, coming off a 4-3 overtime loss at home to the Hurricanes. I think LA’s the better team here, but how they’ve been playing, I’d slightly lean the Blues win at home. I’d also lean the over, but the best play here is just staying off this game.
Predators vs. Ducks (8:00)
Not a great Western Conference game by any means. The Predators haven’t looked all that much better in their 2-2-2 start to the year than they did in their horribly disappointing last season, and they’re on a three game losing streak after a 4-1 loss in Winnipeg on Saturday. The Ducks have looked like they’ve improved, but still aren’t great, with a 2-2-1 record after a 2-1 overtime loss in Chicago on Sunday. This game’s entirely a toss up to me, and I’ll lay off it entirely.
Stars vs. Blue Jackets (8:00)
This cross conference game is a bit of a mismatch. The Stars are coming off two surprising losses to the Blues and Canucks, dropping to 3-2 on the year. I think they’re a great team that should finish with Colorado at the top of the Central. The Blue Jackets are a decent mid tier team that I expect to end up in the Wild Card race, but likely falling short. I like the Stars to win this one, but the -198 is too expensive, and I don’t love the regulation line. I’ll stay off it. I’d lean the under, but not enough to bet it.
Mammoth vs. Avalanche (10:00)
Our only late night game tonight isn’t the best Central Division matchup. The Mammoth have been solid in their 4-2 start to the year, on a three game win streak, but they haven’t really been tested, having a pretty easy schedule thus far. The Avalanche are an absolute Cup contender this year, and have been fantastic in their 5-0-1 start to the season, on a three game win streak. These teams played a couple weeks ago with the Avs getting a 2-1 win at home. I like Colorado to win again and I’ll take them for half a unit on the road. I’d lean the under, but I think the -145 on that is too expensive so I’ll just stick with the ML here.
Bets
.5u Oilers ML (-135)
.5u Capitals in regulation (-160)
.5u Panthers ML (-155)
.5u Brad Marchand over 0.5 point (-165)
.5u Avalanche ML (-148)
Record: 34-29 (-8.89 units)
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