Yesterday my three day win streak on the NHL came to an end, as I went 5-5 to lose 1.58 units. Let’s bounce back on today’s six game slate!
Capitals vs. Penguins (3:00)
This could be the final home game in Washington of Alex Ovechkin’s storied career as he will contemplate retirement in the offseason. This could also be the last time, for the 101st time that he and Sidney Crosby will face off. These teams are in the second half of a back to back home and home today, after the Caps got a 6-3 win in Pittsburgh yesterday (easy win on my over after a slow start), answering back from the Pens winning the first game between these teams 5-3 at home back in November. Washington isn’t eliminated from playoff contention yet, three points back from the Flyers for third place in the Metro, the only remaining playoff spot in the East. They’ve been a bit inconsistent lately, but have gone 9-3-2 in their last 14 games to stay alive and improve to 41-30-9 on the season. The Penguins are pretty much locked in the second spot in the Metro, with their spot in the playoffs clinched. They’re 41-23-16, four points ahead of Philly for home ice. Yesterday’s loss ended a three game win streak for Pittsburgh, just their second loss in their last seven games. I’d lean the Pens bounce back and win here on the road but not enough to bet it. I like the over again though, and even at a pricey -145, I’ll take it for a unit. I’ll also take half a unit shot on Ovi, Sid, and Geno to each get a point for half a unit.
Islanders vs. Canadiens (6:00)
Not the best matchup here, but it’s an important game for both of these Eastern Conference teams. The Islanders are struggling right now, with just one win in their last six games coming off a 3-0 shutout loss at home yesterday to the Sens, falling to 43-32-5 on the season and three points back from the Flyers for the last remaining playoff spot in the East, likely out of it at this point. The Habs have their ticket to the playoffs clinched, tied with the Lightning as they play for home ice with a 47-23-10 record, and just two points back from my Sabres for first place in the Atlantic. They’re in the second half of a back to back tonight, coming off a 5-2 loss at home to the Blue Jackets, just their second loss in their last twelve games. These teams split their first two games in Montreal, with the Isles winning 4-3 in overtime on the road in February and the Habs answering back with a 7-3 win at home last month. I like Montreal to eliminate the Isles here with a win on the road and I’ll take them for a unit. The total’s a toss up to me, so I’ll lay off it. I’ll also parlay Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky, the best line in hockey this year, to each get a point for half a unit.
Blue Jackets vs. Bruins (6:00)
This Eastern Conference matchup isn’t all that great either with the way these teams have played lately, but it’s very important for the Blue Jackets. Columbus is just two points back from the Flyers for the last remaining playoff spot in the East, third place in the Metro. They’re 40-28-12, coming off a big 5-2 win in Montreal yesterday, just their second win in their last nine games. The Bruins are locked into a Wild Card spot in the East with a 43-27-10 record, tied with the Sens for seeding. They’re in a slump right now heading to the playoffs, on a five game losing streak after giving up a late goal yesterday afternoon with 1:35 left in regulation to lose 2-1 to the Lightning at home. Boston won both previous games between these teams, winning 4-2 at home in February and then 4-3 on the road a couple weeks ago. I’d lean the Jackets stay alive with a win here at home, but don’t like it enough to bet on it. I’d also lean the under, but don’t like that even to bet it either. I won’t stay off this game entirely though and I’ll parlay David Pastrnak and Kirill Marchenko to each get a point for half a unit.
Devils vs. Senators (7:00)
Not a great game here in the East. The Devils are coming off a 5-3 win in Detroit yesterday that eliminated the Red Wings from playoff contention and have been decent lately with 13 wins in their last 21 games, but they’re already out of the playoffs as well with a 41-36-3 record. Ottawa’s been on fire lately, on a four game win streak, coming off a 3-0 shutout win on Long Island yesterday, and they have their spot in the playoffs clinched, in a Wild Card spot in the East and tied with the Bruins as they play for seeding. These teams split their first two games in Ottawa, with Jersey winning 4-3 on the road in December and the Sens answering with a 4-1 win at home in January. I like Ottawa to stay hot here and I’ll take the Senators for a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it at 6.5. I considered a parlay on Jack Hughes, Tim Stutzle, and Brady Tkachuk to each get a point, but I don’t think it’s worth the +134, so I’ll stay off it.
Ducks vs. Canucks (8:00)
Terrible game here in the West, as is very game the Canucks play at this point. The Ducks were one of the two teams (along with my Sabres) who didn’t play yesterday, ending a six game losing streak on Thursday night with a 6-1 blowout win at home against the Sharks. They are in third place in the Pacific, a point back from Edmonton for home ice and two behind Vegas for first place in the division. They can clinch their spot in the playoffs with a win tonight. Vancouver’s far and away the worst team in the league with a brutal 23-48-8 record, with the best lottery odds locked up to get Gavin McKenna. They’re coming off a 4-3 shootout win in San Jose yesterday, ending a four game losing streak for just their seventh win in their last 41 games. Vancouver surprisingly leads the season series between these teams 2-1, winning 5-4 on the road in November and shutting out the Ducks 2-0 at home in January, before Anaheim answered back a couple weeks ago with a 5-3 win on the road in Vancouver. I like the Ducks to clinch their playoff berth with a win at home here and I’ll take them in regulation for a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it. I considered taking Cutter Gauthier to score in his likely return to the lineup tonight, but I’ll stay off it.
Flames vs. Mammoth (9:00)
Pretty big mismatch in this Western Conference game to end the night. The Flames are horrible, on a three game losing streak coming off a 4-1 loss in Seattle yesterday to fall to 32-38-9 on the season with just one win in their last six games, eliminated from playoff contention. The Mammoth have been very good, with their spot in the playoffs clinched as likely the first Wild Card with a 42-31-6 record, although there is an off chance that the Kings could get to that spot and drop Utah to have to play Colorado in the first round. Utah’s in the second half of a back to back as well, having a five game win streak end yesterday with a 4-1 loss at home to the Hurricanes. These teams split their first two games, both winning at home with the Mammoth winning 3-1 in October and the Flames shutting them out for a 2-0 win in December. I love Utah to bounce back here from yesterday’s loss and clinch the first Wild Card to play the winner of the Pacific Division in the first round and I’ll take them for a unit. I considered parlaying the moneyline with Clayton Keller to get a point, but don’t think it’s worth the different to drop it to -115. I’d lean the over, but don’t like it enough to bet it.
Bets
1u Capitals/Penguins over 6.5 (-145)
.5u parlay: Alex Ovechkin/Sidney Crosby/Evgeni Malkin 1+ point each (+224)
1u Canadiens ML (-110)
.5u parlay: Nick Suzuki/Cole Caufield/Juraj Slafkovsky 1+ point each (-115)
.5u parlay: David Pastrnak/Kirill Marchenko 1+ point each (+100)
1u Senators ML (-130)
1u Ducks in regulation (-185)
1u Mammoth ML (-165)
Record: 923-1019-2 (-95.82 units)
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