Last night with two overtime losses, I had a slight losing night on the NHL, going 4-5 to lose .36 units. No big deal. Tonight we have a huge 13 game slate, let’s crush it!
Sabres vs. Sharks (7:00)
How much this season has changed. Going into the year, I would’ve thought this would have been a horrible matchup between two bottom five teams and really the only fun part of it would have been Macklin Celebrini coming to town, but this should actually be a fun, very important game for both of these teams. My Sabres have been phenomenal, alone in first place in the Atlantic Division with a 39-19-6 record, coming off the game of the year on Sunday night, blowing 3-0 and 4-1 leads to then erase a 7-5 deficit and win 8-7 against the Lightning in regulation in a hell of a game, with over 100 penalty minutes. Incredible hockey for first place in the division. On a seven game win streak to come out of the Olympics break, we’ve gone 28-5-2 in our last 35 games and are the hottest team in hockey, with the second best offense in the league. The Sharks come into tonight with a 30-25-6 record, just a point back from the Kraken for the second Wild Card spot in the West. After overtime losses on Friday (3-2) to the Blues and Saturday (2-1) to the Islanders, they’re on a five game point streak. I like my Sabres to win at home tonight, but with the price at -205, I’ll get a bit creative here and parlay the moneyline with Tage Thompson and Macklin Celebrini to each get a point for a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Bruins vs. Kings (7:00)
Kind of a boring cross conference matchup. The Bruins have played inconsistent lately, still hanging onto the second Wild Card spot in the East with a 35-22-6 record, just two points ahead of the surging Blue Jackets and three ahead of the Senators. They’re still just two points back though from the Habs for the first Wild Card and three back from Detroit for third in the Atlantic. Boston’s kind of in a slump right now though, with just three wins in their last eight games, coming off a 5-4 overtime loss in Pittsburgh on Sunday, but they have been picking up points with a 15-4-5 record in their last 24 games. The Kings are just a point back from the Kraken for the second Wild Card in the West with a 26-23-14 record. They’re in the second half of a back to back tonight, beating the Blue Jackets 5-4 in overtime on the road last night for their third win in their last five games. LA has been very good on the back end this year, but their offense has struggled. The first low scoring game between these teams went to overtime, with the Bruins winning 2-1 on the road in November. I like Boston to win again here at home and I’ll take the B’s for half a unit. I’d slightly lean the under, but not enough to bet it at 5.5. I’ll also parlay David Pastrnak, Adrian Kempe, and Artemi Panarin to each get a point for half a unit. I considered also taking Pasta to get over 1.5 points, but against a solid defense, I don’t think it’s worth it at only +120.
Canadiens vs. Maple Leafs (7:00)
This original six rivalry matchup up in Canada in the Atlantic Division isn’t great this year. The Habs are playing pretty well, in the first Wild Card in the East with a 34-18-10 record, two points ahead of the Bruins and a point back from the Red Wings for third place in the division. They’ve been inconsistent was of late though, with a 6-1-3 record in their last ten games coming off a 4-3 win in LA on Saturday, with a struggling defense and bad goaltending, but a very good offense. The Leafs have been horrendous, in last place in the Atlantic with a 27-26-11 record. Although their offense has been alright, they’ve been so bad on the back end. Coming off a 5-2 loss at home on Saturday to the Lightning, Toronto’s on a seven game losing streak out of the break and they have just three wins in their last 16 games. Pathetic. Blow Leafs Blow. Montreal is 2-1 this season against the Leafs, losing 5-2 on the road in their first game to open the season, then winning 5-2 at home in November, and 2-1 in a shootout on the road in December. I like the Canadiens to win again here at home and I’ll take them for a unit. I also really like the over, which I’ll take for 1.5 units. I’ll also parlay Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, William Nylander, and Auston Matthews to each get a point for half a unit.
Lightning vs. Blue Jackets (7:00)
Not the best matchup, but this should be a pretty fun game in the East. The Lightning have fallen to second place in the Atlantic Division, coming off an incredible battle for first place against my Sabres on Sunday in the game of the year, where they erased 3-0 and 4-1 deficits to come back and take a 7-5 lead, before losing 8-7 on the road in a heated game that had over 100 penalty minutes, now two points back from the Sabres with a 39-19-4 record. Tampa’s struggling right now, with just one win against the Leafs in their last six games, but they’ve been fantastic on both ends of the ice all year. The Blue Jackets are in the second half of a back to back tonight, coming off their second 5-4 overtime loss in an early start at home yesterday against the Kings. They’ve gone 14-2-3 to improve to 32-21-10 on the season, just two points back from the Bruins for the second Wild Card spot in the East. Columbus won both previous games at home between these teams, winning 3-2 in October and then 8-5 in January. Especially with the Jackets in the second half of a back to back, I like the Lightning to avoid the season sweep here at home. I’ll take them in regulation for a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it. I’ll also parlay Nikita Kucherov, Jake Guentzel, Zach Werenski, and Kirill Marchenko to each get a point for half a unit, and I’ll take Kucherov to get over 1.5 points for a unit.
Panthers vs. Red Wings (7:00)
This isn’t a great game in the Atlantic Division as these teams play for the second time in the last four days, with the Panthers winning 3-1 in Detroit on Friday night after the Red Wings won the first game between these teams 4-1 at home in the first week of the season. The Panthers run as Cup champs is over, as they’re tied with the Leafs in last place in the division with a 31-29-3 record, with so many injuries this year that just keep piling up. Friday’s win ended a four game losing streak for them, just their third win in their last twelve games. The Red Wings are hanging onto third place in the division, a point ahead of the Habs with a 36-21-7 record, but are still just two back from the Lightning with a 36-21-7 record. They’ve struggled lately as well, with just four wins in their last eleven games, coming off a 3-0 shutout win in Jersey on Sunday. I’d lean Detroit wins here on the road, but not enough to bet them. I’d also lean the under, but not enough to bet it at 5.5. I won’t stay off this game entirely though, and I’ll parlay Matthew Tkachuk, Lucas Raymond, and Alex DeBrincat to each get a point for half a unit. I considered taking Raymond on his own, but don’t like it quite enough to bet on at -165 with how the Red Wings offense is playing right now.
Rangers vs. Flames (7:00)
Horrendous cross conference matchup here. The Rangers are the worst team in the Eastern Conference with a 25-30-8 record, playing even worse at home in MSG where they’re just 8-15-6. They have played a little bit better lately with a 3-1-2 record in their last six games, coming off a 6-2 win in Philly last night. The Flames are awful too, at 25-31-7. They’re in the second half of a back to back as well, losing 7-3 on the road to the Capitals last night (I split that game) and have just one win in their last six games. The first game between these teams in Calgary back in October was a blowout with the Flames winning 5-1 at home. This one’s a total toss up to me, and I’m not touching the side. I’d slightly lean the over, but not enough to bet it. I do like a player prop parlay and I’ll take Mika Zibanejad and Vinny Trocheck to each get a point for half a unit.
Hurricanes vs. Penguins (7:00)
Decent matchup, but still a mismatch here between the top two teams in the Metro Division. The Hurricanes are coming off a pretty shocking 5-4 loss in Calgary on Saturday night, but have been phenomenal this season, leading the Eastern Conference with a 40-17-6 record, with a 12-2-2 record in their last 16 games. The Penguins have exceeded expectations this year, a point ahead of the Islanders in second place in the Metro with a 32-17-14 record. They ended a three game losing streak on Sunday afternoon, erasing a 3-0 deficit to beat the Bruins 5-4 in overtime. The first game between these teams was kind of shocking in December, with the Pens winning 5-1 at home. Especially with the two best players for the Penguins, Sidney Crosby (injured) and Evgeni Malkin (suspended), I really like the Canes to bounce back here and get the win on home ice and I’ll parlay their moneyline with Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis to each get a point for a unit. I’d lean the over, and really considered betting it, but couldn’t quite get there at 6.5.
Blues vs. Islanders (7:30)
Kind of a boring cross conference matchup here on national TV. The Blues have struggled this year on both ends of the ice, tied with the Blackhawks in last place in the Central Division with a 25-29-9 record, but have played well since coming out of the break, on a four game win streak coming off a surprising 4-0 shutout win in Anaheim on Sunday. The Islanders are having a good year, in third place in the Metro, a point back from the Penguins for home ice in the first round with a 36-23-5 record, coming off a 2-1 overtime win in San Jose on Sunday. Their offense hasn’t been good, but their defense and goaltending has been great. The Blues won the first game between these teams 2-1 on the road on Long Island in November. I like the Isles to answer back here on the road and I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d lean the under, since neither of these teams can score, but don’t like it enough to bet on with the Isles trending over lately.
Stars vs. Golden Knights (8:00)
This Western Conference matchup between these two playoff teams isn’t all that great. The Stars have been phenomenal, in second place in the Central Division with a 39-14-10 record, three points ahead of the Wild for home ice in the first round. Coming off a 4-3 overtime win at home against the Blackhawks on Sunday, they’ve gone 11-0-1 in their last twelve games, with that overtime loss coming in a shootout against the Avalanche. The Golden Knights are struggling right now, with just one win in their last six games, falling to second place in the weak Pacific Division with a 29-21-14 record, a point back from the Ducks and two ahead of the Oilers, who they lost to, 4-2 at home on Sunday. The first game between these teams in Vegas in January went to a shootout, with the Stars winning 5-4 on the road. I like Dallas to win again here and I’ll take them for a unit. I like the over as well, which I’m surprised is just 5.5, and I’ll take for half a unit. I’ll also parlay Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner, Jason Robertson, and Wyatt Johnston to each get a point for half a unit.
Wild vs. Mammoth (8:00)
Great game here between these two playoff teams in the Central. The Wild have been very good this season, three points back from the Stars for home ice in the first round, with a 37-16-11 record, comfortably eight points ahead of the Mammoth in third place. They’re coming off a 3-2 shootout loss in Colorado on Sunday and have an 8-2-1 record in their last eleven games. Utah’s in the first Wild Card spot in the West, six points ahead of the Kraken with a 34-25-5 record. They’re in the second half of a back to back tonight, having a three game win streak end last night with a 3-2 overtime loss in Chicago (loser for me). The Mammoth won both previous games between these teams, 6-2 on the road in October, and then 5-2 at home a couple weeks ago. I like Minnesota to avoid the season sweep here and I’ll take them for a unit. I’d slightly lean the under, but not enough to bet it. I’ll also parlay Clayton Keller, Kirill Kaprizov, Matt Boldy, and Quinn Hughes to each get a point for half a unit.
Jets vs. Ducks (8:30)
This Western Conference matchup isn’t the best, but both of these teams are playing pretty well lately, which should make it a fun game. The Jets have looked awful all year, but they’re still just five points back from the Kraken for the second Wild Card spot in the West. Coming off a 3-2 overtime win at home against the Canucks on Saturday, they’re on a three game win streak with a 4-0-2 record since coming out of the break to improve to 26-26-10 on the season. The Ducks lead the Pacific Division, a point ahead of the Golden Knights with a 32-25-3 record. They got shut out 4-0 at home by the Blues on Sunday, but have gone 14-4 in their last 18 games. Anaheim won both previous games between these teams at home, winning 4-1 in November and 5-4 in overtime a few weeks ago. I’d slightly lean they complete the season sweep here, and I’d slightly lean the under, but not enough to bet either. I’ll parlay Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor, and Cutter Gauthier to each get a point for half a unit.
Avalanche vs. Oilers (10:00)
This should be a fun Western Conference matchup. The Avalanche are the best team in the NHL, playing the best hockey on both ends of the ice all season. Coming off a 3-2 shootout win at home on Sunday afternoon against the Wild, they’re on a five game win streak with just one loss in their last eight games to improve to 43-10-9 on the season. The Oilers are in third place in the Pacific with a 31-25-8 record, two points back from the Golden Knights and three behind the Ducks. Coming off a 4-2 win in Vegas on Sunday, they’ve won three of their last five games. Edmonton’s offense is obviously very good, but their defense and goaltending stinks. The first game between these teams in Edmonton back in November was a complete blowout, with the Avs embarrassing the Oilers with a 9-1 win on the road. I think this game ends up being closer, but I still like Colorado to win at home, where they’re an impressive 23-4-4 on the season and I’ll lay the -175 for a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it at 5.5. I love some player props here too. I’ll parlay Nathan MacKinnon, Martin Necas, Cale Makar, Connor McDavid, and Leon Drasaitl to each get a point for a unit, and I’ll take MacKinnon and McDavid to each get 2 points, both individually for half a unit each and parlayed for half a unit.
Kraken vs. Predators (10:00)
Pretty boring matchup to end the night out West. The Kraken are hanging onto the second Wild Card spot in the West with a point lead over the Kings and Sharks with a 29-24-9 record. Their offense has been struggling all year, but their defense and goaltending has been pretty good. They haven’t played great lately though, with just two wins in their last six games, coming off losing 7-5 at home to the Senators on Saturday. The Preds stink, with a 28-27-8 record, struggling on both ends of the ice, with just one win in their last five games and just four wins in their last 13, coming off a 3-2 loss in Buffalo on Saturday. Seattle won the first game between these teams 4-1 at home on New Year’s Day. I’d lean they win again here at home, and I’d lean the under, but not enough to bet either. I will take one player prop here though on Ryan O’Reilly to get a point for half a unit.
Bets
1u parlay: Sabres ML/Tage Thompson/Macklin Celebrini 1+ point each (+134)
.5u Bruins ML (-155)
.5u parlay: David Pastrnak/Adrian Kempe/Artemi Panarin 1+ point each (+114)
1u Canadiens ML (-170)
1.5u Canadiens/Maple Leafs over 6.5 (-125)
.5u parlay: Suzuki/Caufield/Nylander/Matthews 1+ point each (+204)
1u Lightning in regulation (-160)
.5u parlay: Kucherov/Guentzel/Werenski/Marchenko 1+ point each (+224)
1u Nikita Kucherov over 1.5 points (-125)
.5u parlay: Matthew Tkachuk/Lucas Raymond/Alex DeBrincat 1+ point each (+210)
.5u parlay: Mika Zibanejad/Vincent Trocheck 1+ point each (+100)
1u parlay: Hurricanes ML/Sebastian Aho/Seth Jarvis 1+ point each (+100)
.5u Islanders ML (-125)
1u Stars ML (-155)
.5u Stars/Golden Knights over 5.5 (-130)
.5u parlay: Eichel/Marner/Robertson/Johnston 1+ point each (+236)
1u Wild ML (-155)
.5u parlay: Clayton Keller/Kirill Kaprizov/Matt Boldy/Quinn Hughes 1+ point each (+222)
.5u parlay: Mark Scheifele/Kyle Connor/Cutter Gauthier 1+ point each (+146)
1u Avalanche ML (-175)
1u parlay: MacKinnon/Necas/Makar/McDavid/Drasaitl 1+ point each (+140)
.5u Nathan MacKinnon over 1.5 points (-125)
.5u Connor McDavid over 1.5 points (+100)
.5u parlay: Nathan MacKinnon/Connor McDavid 2+ points each (+212)
.5u Ryan O’Reilly over 0.5 point (-168)
Record: 742-786-2 (-39.29 units)
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