Slightly profitable night yesterday for me on the NHL, going 6-6 for a .4 unit profit. I’ll take it. The puck drops early this morning with a 9:00 AM start in the Global Series on today’s five game slate. Let’s win again!
Penguins vs. Predators (9:00 AM)
The NHL Global Series gives us the earliest start time I can ever remember for an NHL game, fitting right in with Dolphins vs. Commanders in Spain for the NFL this morning. In the first game of this series in Sweden on Friday, the Preds outshot the Pens 30-17, but were left off the scoreboard until there was just 1:10 left in regulation, with Filip Forsberg tying it up and Stammer winning it 2-1 in OT. The Predators are horrible, with a 6-9-4 record and struggling big time on both ends of the ice, with that win ending a five game losing streak for just their second win in their last ten games. The Penguins started the season so hot, but since starting 6-2, they’ve dropped to 9-6-3, with just one win in their last six game, despite playing well statistically on both ends of the ice. I like the Penguins to answer back here, and I’ll take Pittsburgh for half a unit this morning. The total’s a toss up to me which I’ll stay off.
Lightning vs. Canucks (5:00)
This cross conference matchup isn’t great. The Lightning have played well lately, in the second half of a back to back tonight after a 3-1 win on the road yesterday in the first Battle of Florida of the season. They’re dealing with a bunch of key injuries, but have improved quite a bit after their shaky start to the season with eight wins in their last ten games to improve to 9-6-2 on the year. The Canucks have been pretty bad this year, coming into tonight on a three game losing streak to drop to 8-9-2 on the season, coming off a 4-3 overtime loss to the Hurricanes on Friday night (I split that game, cashing the over easily, but losing on Carolina in regulation). I like Tampa to win at home and I’ll take them for half a unit. I like the over as well, which I’ll take for half a unit too.
Wild vs. Golden Knights (6:00)
Not the best matchup in the West here with both of these teams coming off wins in the second half of back to backs. The Wild are playing way better after their lousy start to the season, with an 8-7-4 record, coming off a 2-0 win yesterday at home against the Ducks. They’ve gone 5-1-1 in their last seven games. Minnesota’s been good on the back end, but have struggled to score. The Golden Knights got out of a slump last night, ending a four game losing streak with a 4-1 win on the road against the Blues, improving to 8-4-5 on the season and they’ve played pretty good on both ends of the ice. I like Vegas to win again here on the road, and I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d lean the under slightly, but not enough to bet it.
Rangers vs. Red Wings (7:00)
This isn’t a great game in the Eastern Conference. The Rangers started the season horribly, but have played pretty well lately, coming into tonight on a three game win streak, coming off a 2-1 shootout win in Columbus last night to improve to 10-7-2 on the season. They’ve been horrible at home at MSG though, just getting their first win at home on Monday when they beat the Preds 6-3. New York has seven wins now in their last nine game, with a very good defense and goaltending but a horrible offense. The Red Wings have struggled big time after their hot start, with just one win in their last five games to drop to 10-7-1 on the season. They’re in the second half of a back to back tonight as well, coming off blowing a 4-1 lead going into the third period to lose 5-4 in overtime to my Sabres last night. I’d slightly lean Detroit wins this one on the road, mainly just due to how bad the Rags at home, but I didn’t even consider betting it with how bad they’ve been lately and both teams in the second half of back to backs. I’d lean the over, but don’t like it enough to bet on either, so I’ll stay off this game entirely.
Avalanche vs. Islanders (9:00)
This is a pretty big mismatch in a cross conference game to end the night, but with the way the Islanders are playing they may make this an interesting game. Colorado’s the best team in the NHL this season and should be the favorites to win the Stanley Cup. Coming off a 6-3 win against the Sabres on Thursday, they’re on a five game win streak and nine game point streak to improve to a league leading 12-1-5 on the season. I’m still not convinced that the Isles are any good, but they’re finding ways to win lately, on a four game win streak with the last three coming in overtime to improve to 10-6-2. They’re coming off a 3-2 OT win in Utah on Friday night on Matthew Schaefer’s game winner on the road. Colorado should win this one at home to end that win streak for the Islanders and I’ll take them in regulation for a unit. I also like the over here, which I’ll take at 6 for half a unit.
Bets
.5u Penguins ML (-118)
.5u Lightning ML (-166)
.5u Lightning/Canucks over 6.5 (-105)
.5u Golden Knights ML (-125)
1u Avalanche in regulation (-175)
.5u Avalanche/Islanders over 6 (-125)
Record: 116-106-1 (-18.34 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 