Big slate tonight but we’re going to keep the plays limited. We had a great week building some units back and I don’t want to get too loose or reckless with our momentum. The Stars were an obvious game that stood out and will be one of the sides we target. We were on the right side of Dallas’s comeback win against the Sharks three weeks ago when they came back from down three in the third to win in overtime. Dallas should learn from that game and have a different approach tonight. The team totals come in way too high for my liking, especially in a game I expect Dallas to lock down defensively. Scott Wedgewood gets the nod tonight and is having the best year of his career. MacKenzie Blackwood is in the net for the Sharks having the worst year of his career. I expected the puck line to be in the -200 range, especially with the team total at 4 -145. The lines aren’t making much sense with San Jose’s team total being 2 -135 and there is some value on that line with San Jose only scoring less than two goals in one of their past ten meetings. Colorado and Dallas are separating from Winnipeg and are neck and neck for the division lead. This is a must-win game for Dallas after Colorado’s spectacular comeback win against the Pens on Sunday. I expect Dallas to get the job done and will lay the -160 on the -1.5 line.
I want action on the Rangers tonight against Philly. The Rangers have won nine of the last ten, but the -190 money line is too expensive. Philly is in danger of losing the third playoff spot in the division to Washington and has lost six of their last ten. The Rangers have Carolina knocking on the door for the division lead and this game is important to both teams. The matchups between these two have been pretty tight over the last three years but I expect a little more open ice tonight and more goals. I trust the Rangers will keep the pace and hit their total of three at a minimum.
The other game I want is Toronto over the Devils. The Leafs have dominated this series, while the Devils have fallen. The Devils are coming of a win over the Islanders on Sunday and will see Joseph Woll in net. I am laying off a side in this game because of the goalie matchup, and I expect to see goals from both sides, but it should be Toronto that comes out ahead. The 3.5 team total for Toronto is only -125 so the risk is minimized.
Official Plays:
- 7:08pm New York Rangers Team Total over 3 -165: 2u
- 7:38pm Toronto Maple Leafs Team Total over 3.5 -125: 2u
- 10:38pm Dallas Stars -1.5 -160: 3u
