Yet another lousy day on the NHL for me yesterday, going 5-7 to lose 3.2 units. Let’s bounce back on tonight’s five game slate before another loaded slate tomorrow!
Islanders vs. Penguins (7:00)
Big game here in the Metro Division between these two playoff teams right on the cusp for the only 7:00 game on the slate. The Islanders are 42-27-5 on the season with three wins in their last four games, coming off a 5-2 win at home on Saturday against the Panthers. They have a point lead over the Penguins and Blue Jackets and are just three ahead of Philly. The Penguins are tied for third with Columbus with a 36-21-16 record, but have just one win in their last four games, coming off a 6-3 loss at home to the Stars on Saturday. They’re still without Evgeni Malkin, but they should get Sid back in the lineup tonight. These teams split their first two games, with the Penguins winning 4-3 at home in the first week of the season and the Isles answering back with a 5-4 overtime win at home in February. I’d slightly lean the Islanders win again at home on Long Island, but didn’t even consider betting it. I’d also lean the over, but not enough to bet that either at 6.5. The only player prop I considered was Sid to get a point in his return to the lineup, but with the uncertainty of him even playing tonight, I don’t think it’s worth the -180. I’ll lay off this game entirely and start my night on the pucks a bit later.
Avalanche vs. Flames (8:30)
Huge mismatch here in the West. The Avalanche are the best team in the NHL with a 48-14-10 record, but come into tonight off a surprising 4-2 loss at home to the Jets on Saturday, ending a four game win streak. They lead the league both offensively and defensively. The Flames have been brutal this season, but have played much better lately, going 5-0-1 in their last six games, coming off a 7-3 win at home to the Canucks on Saturday. I like the Avs to win this one, but the price is way too expensive at -375 on the moneyline or even the regulation line at -230. I’ll take the puck line for half a unit. I’d lean the over slightly, but not enough to bet that either. I’ll also go back to a parlay on Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Martin Necas to each get a point for half a unit, along with half a unit on MacKinnon to get over 1.5 points.
Golden Knights vs. Canucks (10:00)
Pretty terrible matchup here in the weak Pacific Division. The Golden Knights are in third place in the division, three points back from the Oilers with a 32-26-16 record. They’re on a three game losing streak coming off a 5-4 shootout loss at home to the Caps on Saturday with just one win in their last seven games and only four in their last 16 games. Yesterday Vegas fired their head coach Bruce Cassidy and hired John Tortorella as their new bench boss. Makes sense with how the Knights have struggled this year, but a bit of a surprise move considering that Cassidy just coached them to a Stanley Cup three years ago. The Canucks are the worst team in the NHL with a 21-43-8 record, playing pathetic hockey on both ends of the ice. Coming off a 7-3 loss in Calgary on Saturday, they’re on a five game losing streak and have just five wins in 2026. Team’s horrendous. The Knights won the first game between these teams 5-2 at home in February. They should win easily at home here in the Fortress in their first game with Torts behind the bench. The moneyline is ridiculous here at -360. I’ll take the puck line for a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it. I’ll also parlay Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, and Mitch Marner to each get a point for half a unit.
Ducks vs. Maple Leafs (10:00)
This game should be pretty fun with the revenge factor of the Leafs looking to go after Ducks’ captain Radko Gudas for his dirty hit that led to a season ending injury to Auston Matthews a few weeks ago in Toronto’s 6-4 win at home in the first meeting between these teams. Anaheim leads the weak Pacific Division with a 41-28-4 record, three points ahead of the Oilers. They’re coming off a 4-2 loss in Edmonton that tightened those spots in the standings on Saturday, ending a four game win streak. The Ducks are playing relatively well though, with a 20-7-1 record in their last 28 games. The Leafs are struggling big time, only ahead of Florida in the Atlantic and way outside of the playoff picture in the East with a 31-30-13 record. Love to see it. After two wins in a row, they got embarrassed in St. Louis on Saturday, losing 5-1 on the road. I’d slightly lean the Ducks wins here at home, but not enough to bet it, especially not at -195. I do like the over in this one though with both of these teams playing decent enough offensively, but struggling big time on the back end. I’ll take the over for a unit. I’ll also parlay William Nylander and Cutter Gauthier to each get a point for half a unit.
Sharks vs. Blues (10:00)
Lousy Western Conference matchup to end the night, but both of these teams aren’t completely out of it, both just four points back from the Predators for the second Wild Card in the West. The Sharks are struggling right now, ending a six game losing streak on Saturday with a 3-2 win in Columbus to move to 33-31-7 on the year. The Blues are playing quite well right now, but there’s still a lot of teams they have to jump to have a shot at the playoffs, with a 31-30-11 record after their horrendous first half of the year. They’re on a four game win streak coming off a 5-1 win at home against the Leafs on Saturday and have gone 10-1-2 in their last 13 games. St. Louis won both previous games between these teams in overtime this month, winning 3-2 on the 6th on the road and then 2-1 at home on Thursday. I’d lean the Blues complete the season sweep here and would lean the under, but not enough to bet either. The only thing I considered here was betting Celebrini, but there’s no one I want to parlay him with here and don’t like the over 1.5 points or goal props, so I’ll lay off this matchup completely.
Bets
.5u Avalanche -1.5 (-148)
.5u parlay: Nathan MacKinnon/Cale Makar/Martin Necas 1+ point each (-145)
.5u Nathan MacKinnon over 1.5 points (-120)
1u Golden Knights -1.5 (-142)
.5u parlay: Jack Eichel/Mark Stone/Mitch Marner 1+ point each (+100)
1u Ducks/Maple Leafs over 6.5 (-130)
.5u parlay: William Nylander/Cutter Gauthier 1+ point each (+106)
Record: 855-941-2 (-86.16 units)
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