Devils vs Rangers

• Division rivalry game that likes to see a lot of scoring. 
• The Rangers offense has piked up over recent weeks taking their goals per from from 2.75 to over 3.25 with the Devils averaging 3.38.
• Both teams are in the top 5 in terms of goals against per game but when playing this matchup, you’re playing the rivalry more than the numbers. 
• No injuries of note for either team in a 1pm matinee so I will be playing a small play on the over 5.5.

Carolina vs Columbus

• I see Carolina in a similar spot that I saw Washington in on Thursday. 
• Carolina’s offense is a little less potent than Washington’s averaging just a little over three goals per game but Columbus is second worst in the league in terms of goals against giving up almost four per game. 
• I don’t like the game over here even though the team total will need four to win because of Carolina’s superb defensive play. 
• Carolina is top 4 in the league in goals against and their goaltending has been one of the best teams in the league. 
• As bas as Columbus’ defense has been, their offense has been just as bad barely averaging over 2.5 goals per game. 
• pyotr kochetkov should be in net for Carolina today so this is a game where I see Carolina winning by a multiple goal margin while scoring 4+

Minnesota vs Buffalo

• Mats Zuccarello is out for Minnesota today and it’s a big piece to be missing for this offense. Because of his injury, I will be proceeding with a little more caution.
• I liked this game to see a lot of scoring with Buffalo leading the lead in terms of goals per game, and Minnesota having the skill and playmakers they did. Zuc being out throws a wrench into that. 
• Marc-Andre Fleury has been playing at a much better level since the start of the season and should pose an issue for Buffalo’s offense today. 
• The game total of 3.5 or 4.5 is in play in alt line parlays as well as the Wild TT over 1.5 or 2.5 depending on which book you are on.
• I will be taking a small stab on Minnesota today even without Zuccarello. Minnesota is going to need to outpace Buffalo in terms of speed to keep the game open and in their favor offensively. If Minnesota is tight and slow it should give Buffalo’s offense the edge and limit Minnesota to only two goals. 

Detroit vs Toronto

• Detroit will be coming in on a back to back after losing to Florida last night 3-2.
• This is one of my favorite matchups to play and I expect to see a lot of scoring.
• Toronto is coming off an embarrassing loss to Seattle on Thursday and their offense will look to get back on track against a Detroit team that is bottom six defensively. Detroit’s improved offense should allow them to get on the board a few times today especially with Matt Murray (projected). 
• This game has the potential to be the highest scoring game on the board and will be one of our heavier plays. I am willing to lay close to the 2:1 to get 5.5 in this game on the alt line but 6 and 6.5 are still in play like usual. 
• Expect Toronto to come out and put all the pressure in the world on Detroit and get an early 3-4 goals in the game. 

Seattle vs Ottawa

• These teams have only played twice before so there is little history between them. Both games played went over 5.5 goals.
• I expect a better defensive showing for Seattle today so I don’t specifically like the game over. Seattle’s team total or the alt line of 3.5 will be in my parlays today but my pregame play will be on Seattle’s ML and buying down their team total.
• Seattle has been one of the most improved teams in the league this year and sticking with Martin Jones in net is a crucial decision Seattle needs to make. If Jones is in net this is Seattle’s game to win. If Grubauer starts, I am more inclined to look at the over on the game.
• Seattle’s offense should be able to cruise through Ottawa’s defense today making this a lopsided game. After watching Seattle’s defense and Martin Jones play all season, plus with the carry over confidence the win over Toronto could impose, this could be a game where we see Ottawa do absolutely nothing offensively. 

Boston vs San Jose

• Boston will be heavily played today. WIth San Jose coming off an OT loss vs Anaheim in a high scoring game, I expect Boston to take full advantage of this team. Boston, Seattle, and Toronto may wind up being the three highest scoring teams on the board.
• James Reimer starting tonight for Boston should help keep Boston’s scoring down but only enough to keep this from being a full ladder spot. Boston should be able to put up a minimum of 4 goals tonight and Boston has won the last 9 meetings between these two. Once the early games end and we see how many units we have to work with for this game will determine just how heavy I play them.