Buffalo vs. Boston
The Bruins have dominated the series with the Sabres the past few years and have had no problem scoring. The Bruins are 18-1-1 over their last 20 and have scored 4 or more goals in 11 of the past 13. Devon Levi is slated to start. Levi has given up less than three goals twice on the season, and was tagged for five goals 32 minutes into the game against Boston less than a month ago. Buffalo lost again Tuesday night in a game where we 5u played the over. I’m going to play Bostons side of the total based on the history, but I am limiting the play to two units since we are playing more based on recency. Boston is the superior team and they are home, so feel free to use Boston multiple ways in additional plays. I would just limit my exposure.
San Jose vs. Detroit
We will continue on the train that San Jose is playing well. The Sharks ended their metro trip against the Isles, Devils, and Rangers with two wins, and a minimum of five goals per game. They head to Detroit now where they’ve lost their last three on the road, and four of five overall against the Wings. The surprise for Detroit over their recent surge has been the improvement in net and on defense. The Wings are averaging less than 2.5 goals per game winning six of their last seven. I see this game going any which way. The Wings 3.5 team total is -185 and over 5.5 is -190. This is a game I would rather hit live after screening the first period.
Kings vs. Canadiens
Los Angeles is still a team that has been one of the best in the league. Going on the road to Montreal is never an easy task but they have won four of their last five there including their last matchup on November 25th. I like L.A, as a parlay piece with someone like the Bruins. Both teams should win but running into a trap is likely so I personally would rather pair them together than distribute my bankroll around on them.
Toronto vs. Ottawa
We played this matchup on the 8th and hit for 2u. I like this matchup the same and plan to double down on our previous win. Analytic wise there’s not much to discuss here. Both teams are averaging 3.25 goals for and against, and usually play more of a wide open style against each other. The alt line is too juicy for me to lay -185 on it, so I am going to play 6.5 for the -140 and let the game itself play out. This won’t be a play that will make or break our night.
Columbus vs. Islanders
The Islanders are still a team I am hesitant to take. When they are the likely winner the line is too high for them to be comfortable with, and when they are within ranger to play, they still manage to blow it. -185 is a lot to lay on them but they play well against Columbus. Semyon Varlamov is in net for the Isles and he’s been having a great season. We are looking at building a round robin here with the Bruins, Kings, Isles, and a fourth piece. The round robin will alow us to limit our risk to only 2.5u or less while juicing the payout and luck if all goes well.
Tampa Bay vs. Nashville
Tampa Bay is a dominant force in this matchup and I love taking them here. Both teams are healthy, but Andrei Vasilevskiy picked up the win last night against the Pens meaning Jonas Johansson gets tonight’s start. There’s two ways I look at this game that I will break down. The Preds being favored is surprising. I expected Tampa to come in at -120 but Nashville is. When I see a line opposite what I expect, it means the book has an edge they see. What that tells me is that this game should see some scoring. Tampa has scored three or more against the Preds in eight of ten. Those two games they scored less than three were Preds wins. With Saros in net, the likelihood that Tampa is limited offensively exists, but I don’t expect it. I am going to go against the grain and play the over 5.5 on the game expecting both teams to contribute and run the total up.
Dallas vs. Washington
We lost Dallas last night in a high scoring back and forth game with the Panthers. Twice the Stars came back from two goal leads, just to blow them both. I expect more composure and aggression tonight against the Capitals. Getting Dallas on back to back nights on the road allows us to get a team total of three flat. Charlie Lindgren gets the start and he’s been anything but consistent. Dallas has won six of the last eight meetings, and the scoring for Dallas has been limited, but I like what I see from them offensively.
Anaheim vs. Chicago
Chicago is one of the worst defensive teams in the league right now so I will be jumping on Anaheim’s team total. This is a meeting between two bad teams, so expect bad hockey. I will like this play more with Mrazek in net so if you PREFER to hold off on locking it in now you can, but I am not.
Philly vs. Arizona
I am going to wait for the goalies to be confirmed in this matchup. Carter Hart should be in net for the Flyers but has played once since November 30th. Only playing one game in a week could bode well for the over. This total is low with 5.5 only -140 and I will be all over it expecting a back and forth high scoring game. This game is a potential ladder and a +750 on the total of 9 would be a very nice hit. Both teams are giving up a little less than three goals per game so the numbers don’t line up but it’s a play I want to be on.
Carolina vs. Calgary
Last night was an embarrassing showing by the Hurricanes that should rebound tonight against the Flames. Dan Vladar could be in net for the Flames and the Hurricanes team total comes in at 3 for -140. This should be a smash spot for Carolina’s offense and will be one of our heaviest plays of the night. The Canes are completely healthy so chalk last nights loss up to jet lag on a Canada trip. The Flames are a perfect team to rebound against after dropping their last two to Winnipeg and Edmonton. It’s possible Calgary contributes offensively with Freddy Andersen out making this game a high target for live.
Colorado vs. Winnipeg
No lean on this game. Too many other preferred spots. Not a matchup I watch consistently enough to play.
Minnesota vs. Vancouver
Minnesota has won the last six matchups and have won four of their last give giving up 1.60 goals per game. I don’t find any value in this game with the Canucks being favored and am not confident enough in either team to hit the 5.5 alt line team total. This is a game we can jump on live if we see anything, but is not a game I prefer pregame.
New Jersey vs. Seattle
These teams have only met four times in their history. The Devils are on an offensive tear but we’ll be paying for it. I am going to hold off on posting for this game. They have a start time of 10:30 and are an hour and a half after the last game we’ll be playing. How I play this game unit wise will be dependant on how our earlier plays go. The better we do earlier in the night, the more we will be on this later.
