Losing Sunday for me on the NHL yesterday, going 1-4 to drop 2.92 units. Weird games. Today we have a six game slate with an early start, let’s bounce back!
Predators vs. Red Wings (2:00)
I don’t understand why the NHL is starting this game early to cater for European fans when it isn’t a holiday. Ridiculous to have this be a matinee. It’s not a terrible matchup though for this cross conference game. The Predators haven’t been great, but they’re just three points back from the Kraken for the second Wild Card in the West with a 27-24-8 record, coming off a 3-2 overtime loss on the road against the Stars on Saturday night. The Red Wings have struggled a bit recently, falling to the first Wild Card in the East, a point behind the Habs and two behind my Sabres, with a 34-20-6 record. After coming out of the slump they were on going into the break with a 2-1 overtime win in Ottawa on Thursday, they lost 5-2 in Carolina on Saturday. The Preds won the first game between these teams 6-3 in Detroit back in December. I’d lean the Red Wings answer back here on the road, but not enough to bet them. I’d also lean the under slightly but not enough to bet that either. For my only play on this early game, I’ll parlay Lucas Raymond, Dylan Larkin, and Ryan O’Reilly to each get a point for half a unit.
Rangers vs. Blue Jackets (7:00)
This game isn’t great in the Metro. The Rangers have been awful, in last place in the East. They’re 23-29-7, with an even more embarrassing 7-15-5 record at home in MSG. They ended a five game losing streak on Saturday, coming back from a 2-0 deficit to beat the Penguins 3-2 in a shootout, just their fourth win in their last 20 games. Columbus turned their season around after their coaching change, with an 11-2-1 record in their last 14 games to improve to 29-21-8 on the season, still on the outside of the playoff picture. They’re coming off two losses in a row to come out of the break, losing 4-3 in overtime at home to the Islanders on Saturday. The first time these teams played in Columbus this season back in November, it went to a shootout with the Rangers winning 2-1 on the road. I like the Blue Jackets to answer back here on the road and I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d slightly lean the under, but not enough to bet it. I’ll also parlay Zach Werenski, Kirill Marchenko, and Mika Zibanejad to each get a point for another half a unit.
Maple Leafs vs. Flyers (7:30)
Pretty lousy matchup here in the East. The Leafs have struggled big time this year, in last place in the Atlantic Division with a 27-24-9 record. They’re on a three game losing streak out of the Olympics break, coming off a 5-2 loss at home against the Sens in the Battle of Ontario on Saturday. Although their offense has been good, Toronto’s defense and goaltending has been horrendous. The Flyers haven’t been much better, struggling on both ends of the ice, especially offensively. They’re coming off two wins in a row, beating the Bruins 3-1 at home on Saturday night. The Leafs won both previous games between these teams on the road, winning 5-2 in November and then 2-1 in overtime in January. I’d lean Toronto completes the season sweep here, but don’t like them enough to bet on them. I’d slightly lean the under at 6.5, but not enough to bet that either. I will lay the -185 here though on a parlay of Auston Matthews and William Nylander to each get a point for half a unit.
Canucks vs. Stars (10:00)
Huge mismatch here in the West. The Canucks are horrendous, the worst team by far in the NHL. They’ve been awful on both ends of the ice all year and coming off a 5-1 loss in Seattle on Saturday (easy win to cap off my night), they’re on a five game losing streak with just two wins in their last 21 games. The Stars on the other hand have been fantastic, comfortably in a playoff spot, a point ahead of the Wild for home ice in the first round with a 36-14-9 record. Coming off a 3-2 overtime win at home against the Preds on Saturday, they’re on an eight game win streak. These teams split their two early games this season, each winning on the road with a 5-3 Canucks win in October and then a 4-2 Stars win in November. This should be an easy win for Dallas on the road and I’ll take them in regulation for a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it. I’ll also parlay Wyatt Johnston and Jason Robertson to each get a point for a unit.
Kraken vs. Hurricanes (10:00)
I wouldn’t say this is a great cross conference matchup, but it could be interesting to watch. The Kraken are in the second Wild Card spot in the West, a point behind the Oilers for third place in the Pacific and the Mammoth for the first Wild Card. They’re 28-22-9 on the season, playing well defensively, but struggling offensively. After two lousy losses out of the break in St. Louis and Dallas, they bounced back on Saturday with a dominant 5-1 win at home against the Canucks on Saturday. The Hurricanes have been fantastic, leading the Eastern Conference with a 38-15-6 record, playing great on both ends of the ice. Coming off a 5-2 win at home against the Red Wings on Saturday, they’re on a five game win streak and twelve game point streak with a 14-1-3 record in their last 18 games. In Carolina in January, the first time these teams met, the Canes won 3-2 at home. I like them to win again here and I’ll lay the -185 for half a unit. I also like the under with two good defensive teams here and I’ll take it at the alternate line of 6 to get a bit of push insurance on it for half a unit. I’ll also parlay Seth Jarvis and Sebastian Aho to each get a point for half a unit.
Kings vs. Avalanche (10:30)
Kind of a lousy mismatch out West to end the night. The Kings are struggling, three points out of a playoff spot with a 24-21-14 record. Although their defense and goaltending has been very good this season, their offense is horrible. They ended a five game losing streak on Saturday, shutting out the Flames 2-0 at home. The Avalanche are the best team in the NHL, playing the best hockey in the league on both ends of the ice. They’re 39-10-9 on the season, coming off a bounce back 3-1 win at home against the Blackhawks on Saturday. The Avs won both previous games between these teams easily, winning 4-1 on the road in the first game of the season and then 5-2 at home in December. I like Colorado to complete the season sweep here and I’ll take them for a unit. I’d lean the over at 5.5, but not enough to bet it. On my usual player props here too. I’ll parlay Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Martin Necas to each get a point for a unit, and I’ll take MacKinnon to get over 1.5 points for half a unit.
Bets
.5u parlay: Lucas Raymond/Dylan Larkin/Ryan O’Reilly 1+ point each (+200)
.5u Blue Jackets ML (-120)
.5u parlay: Zach Werenski/Kirill Marchenko/Mika Zibanejad 1+ point each (+178)
.5u parlay: Auston Matthews/William Nylander 1+ point each (-185)
1u Stars in regulation (-115)
1u parlay: Jason Robertson/Wyatt Johnston 1+ point each (-160)
.5u Hurricanes ML (-185)
.5u Hurricanes/Kraken under 6 (-122)
.5u parlay: Seth Jarvis/Sebastian Aho 1+ point each (-135)
1u Avalanche ML (-166)
1u parlay: Nathan MacKinnon/Cale Makar/Martin Necas 1+ point each (-150)
.5u Nathan MacKinnon over 1.5 points (-115)
Record: 687-738-1 (-47.19 units)
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