I only had one pick yesterday and cashed it easily on Colorado to win 1.5 units. Tonight we have our first big slate of the NHL season with eight games. Let’s crush it and start the season with three winning nights in a row!
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dd932KIJJuU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&stkn=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Blue Jackets vs. Sabres (7:00)
My boys open the season tonight on the road. Columbus competed for a Wild Card spot last year, but fell short, missing the playoffs. I expect them to probably be worse this year. Last season, my Sabres made some magic, starting the season horribly as I expected, but completely turning it around in November to not only end the 15 year playoff drought but won the Atlantic Division. In the playoffs, we beat the Bruins in the first round in seven games, then lost in the second round to the Habs in Game 7. Hell of a season. In the offseason, we lost Alex Tuch and Bowen Byram, not being able to pay them, but didn’t really replace either, while the rest of the Atlantic has gotten better. I hope I’m wrong, but I feel like we’re going to have a tougher year, probably competing for a Wild Card spot and falling short. I’d lean the Sabres win tonight on the road to start the season, but not enough to bet them. I’d also lean the over, but not enough to bet that either. I’ll lay off this game completely. Let’s Go Buffalo!
Devils vs. Flyers (7:00)
I wouldn’t say this Metro Division matchup is great, but it should be a pretty solid game. The Devils were horrible last year, although they did have injury issues last season, but that wasn’t their only problem. I expect them to improve this year, but The Flyers made the second round of the playoffs last year, being the last team to get into the playoffs as a Wild Card. They opened their season yesterday and are in the second half of a back to back tonight after getting shut out 7-0 at home by their rival Penguins. This game’s a complete toss up to me. I’ll stay off this one as well.
Rangers vs. Lightning (7:00)
Pretty big mismatch in my eyes for this Eastern Conference matchup. The Rangers were horrendous last year, and my expectations of them to be bad again this year continued as they opened their season on Tuesday with a 3-0 shutout loss on the road in Boston. The Lightning had a solid season last year, but were eliminated in the first round last year in overtime of Game 7 against the Habs. I like Tampa to win here on the road tonight and I’ll take them for a unit. Both of the goalies in this game are fantastic, so I’d lean the under, but not enough to bet it in the first week of the season.
Predators vs. Wild (8:00)
This Central Division matchup isn’t great. The Predators improved last season after failing huge expectations in 2024 and were one of the worst teams in the league two years ago. They missed the playoffs last year, but competed for a Wild Card spot in the West until the last week of the season. I still don’t see them making playoffs this year, but they should be competitive. The Wild were an electric team last season with fantastic players throughout that lineup. After knocking off the Dallas Stars in the very difficult top of the Central in the first round, they then lost in five games to the Avalanche in the second round. The hardest first two rounds any team had to play last year in the playoffs. Minnesota should be a decent Cup contender out of the West again this year. I like them to win here on the road and I’ll take them for half a unit. I’d lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Flames vs. Kraken (9:00)
This Pacific Division matchup isn’t great, but it should be a competitive, likely kind of boring game. Both of these teams were terrible last year, with two of the worst offenses in the NHL. I’d give a very slight edge to the Flames at home, and I’d lean the under, but I’m not touching this game.
Mammoth vs. Blackhawks (9:30)
Pretty big mismatch to me for this Central Division matchup. The Mammoth were impressive last year, exceeding expectations as they were the first Wild Card spot in the West. They faced the Western Conference Champion Golden Knights in the first round, and although they were competitive and gave them a great series, they were eliminated in six games. I think they get better this year and make the playoffs again. The Blackhawks were one of the worst teams in the league last year, and didn’t look a whole lot better in their first game of the season, losing 5-2 on the road to Vegas to open the year on Tuesday. I like Utah to win here at home and I’ll take them in regulation for a unit. I’d slightly lean the over, but not enough to bet it.
Sharks vs. Panthers (10:00)
This should be a really fun cross conference matchup tonight. Macklin Celebrini had an MVP-worthy season last year, completely turning around the Sharks and getting them close to a Wild Card spot last year after years of horrendous hockey in San Jose. The Panthers are my pick to win the Stanley Cup this year now that they’re healthy and should be a favorite to make it three Cups in four years in this dynasty run after missing the playoffs last year. In a fantastic game to start the year on the road in Carolina against the Cup Champs, they went to overtime in a double shutout, winning 1-0 on Gustav Forsling’s game winner with just five seconds left in OT. Although I think the Sharks will be competitive this year, I like Florida to win on the road tonight and I’ll take them for half a unit. The total’s a toss up to me. I considered betting Celebrini to score, but I’m not getting cute this early into this season.
Canucks vs. Oilers (10:00)
These teams play the second half of a home and home tonight in the Pacific Division to start the season. On Tuesday night, the Canucks pulled off a big upset on the road in Edmonton, getting out to a 5-2 lead in the first 5:15 of the third period, before the Oilers came back to tie the game up with 42 seconds left, sending the game to overtime, but Paul Cotter was the hero for Vancouver in OT, winning it 6-5. Kind of a shocking game, considering that the Oilers should be a Cup contender (but won’t win it) and the Canucks are still likely the worst team in the NHL. I don’t see Vancouver winning both of these games and like Edmonton in the bounce back. I’ll parlay the Oilers moneyline with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to each get a point for 1.5 units. I also like the over, which I’ll take for half a unit.
Bets
1u Lightning ML (-148)
.5u Wild ML (-148)
1u Mammoth in regulation (-135)
.5u Panthers ML (-148)
1.5u parlay: Oilers ML/McDavid over 0.5 point/Draisaitl over 0.5 point (-175)
.5u Oilers/Canucks over 6.5 (-112)
Regular Season Record: 5-1 (+2.15 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…
