Written by Scott on Tuesday, February 14th, 2023
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5 games yesterday and I had 1 tip.
Had the Wings to beat the Canucks if Husso started. He did and they did win with ease 6-1. Larkin scored 2 goals for the 2nd game in a row.
The Coyotes beat the Preds 4-2. I said that the odds made this unplayable with the Preds heavily favored so glad I avoided this one.
The Sens beat the Flames 4-3 in overtime. The Flames were up 3-1 but the Sens made the comeback with Stutzle having 4 points.
I said I thought the Panthers vs Wild game could go either way and I avoided. And I wasn’t wrong when the Panthers won 2-1 in a shootout.
The final game of the night saw the Mings beat the Sabres 5-2. This was the Sabres 4th loss in a row.
9 games tonight and a few are looking like they will be good ones.
Blackhawks vs Canadiens
Both teams have had bad seasons. It makes it tricky to try and predict when both teams have been struggling.
Both are 5-4-1 over last 10 and the Hawks are 6-14-2 on the road, the Habs 13-14-1.
I would say the Habs have the advantage for this but it’s really hard to back them.
Hurricanes vs Capitals
The Metro leading Canes will be looking to keep their road win streak alive here. They have won the last 4 road game and are 8-1-1 over their last 10.
The Caps are in 4th in the Metro and are in the 1st wild card position. They are 5-5 over last 10.
They played once this season and the Canes won that one 3-2 in a shootout.
The Canes allow the fewest shots on goal per game and are the 7th ranked team in GAPG. The Caps rank around the middle of the league in most stats but are the 9th ranked team in GAPG.
For games against teams from the Metro the Canes are 13-4-1 and the Caps 9-4-1. I do like the Cames to continue their road play but the Caps are in desperate need of points so they could show up here.
Devils vs Blue Jackets
The Devils are in 2nd in the Metro and trail the divison leading Canes by 3 points.
3 of their last 4 and 7 of their last 9 games needed overtime or a shootout. To get any value here we would need to take them in regulation and with all of the games needing extra time for them recently I have to skip. I do like them to win but just can’t tip the regulation play.
Senators vs Islanders
The Sens are 8 points out of the playoffs and will need a miracle at this point to get in with the teams they are chasing.
The Isles are in 9th but only 1 point back of the 8th place Pens.
They played once this season and the Sens won 2-1 but before that the Isles had won the previous 4.
The Isles have been good at home going 16-10-2 and they need to go on a run here and soon to get themselves back in the playoff picture.
Isles win in regulation
Ontario: 1.95 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
Rest of Canada: 1.95 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
USA: No lines posted yet but check BetOnline.
Everyone Else: 1.95 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
(Odds correct as of 2023/02/14 9:29:19 AM EST but are subject to change.)
Panthers vs Blues
Both teams aren’t where they were expected to be at this point in the season.
The Panthers have gone 6-4-1 and are in 9th place in the Eastern Conference but only 1 point behind the Pens but they have played 4 more games than them.
The Blues have gone 3-7 and are 10 points back of the Flames who are in the last wild card spot.
I’m close to tipping the Panthers here but it’s hard as they are 2-4-2 in games with no days rest. And the 3 most recent games between these teams needed extra time. I have to skip
Kraken vs Jets
Battle of some strong teams here.
The Kraken are in 3rd in the Pacific with 65 points which is 3 back of the Knights and tied with the Kings. They have games in hand on both teams. The Oilers are tied with them but have played more games.
The Jets are in 2nd in the Central and have 67 points which is 3 behind the Stars and 6 ahead of the Wild.
The Kraken score more and the Jets allow less. They are separated by only 2 points in the standings. The Kraken road record of 17-8-2 is really close to the Jets home record of 19-8-0.
I have to skip this game as I could make an argument for why each should win and just feel better avoiding it.
Bruins vs Stars
Probably the game of the night.
The Atlantic, and league, leading Bruins take on the Centrals top team. They played once at the start of the season and the Bruins won 3-1.
Over last 10 the Bruins are 6-3-1 and the Stars are 5-2-3.
For GPG the Bruins are 2nd and the Stars 11th. For GAPG the Bruins are 1st and the Stars 2nd. On the road the Bruins are 17-6-2 and at home the Stars are 15-6-6.
I am skipping this game. It’s sure to be a good one it’s just hard to bet against either team right now.
Lightning vs Avalanche
This should be a good game between the 3rd and 4th ranked teams from the Atlantic and the Central.
Both are playing well at the moment. The Lightning have gone 6-3-1 over last 10, they are 4th in GPG and the 3rd best power play. The Avalanche have gone 7-2-1, are 7th in shots on goal per game and 9th in GAPG.
They have played once this season and that was last Thursday when the Lightning won 5-0. They have a history after playing in the finals last year where the Avalanche won in 6 games.
The Avalanche will be looking to get even after the game from last week. I just have a problem here trying to determine who wins
Penguins vs Sharks
After the way the Pens got pounded by the Kings it’s hard to back them. They played the Sharks on January 28th and the Sharks won that 6-4.
I’m skipping. Sure the Pens should win but they are in a bit of a funk at the moment so best to avoid.
NJ Hischier to score +160
Fla Tkachuk to score +120
for NJ Haula at +330 is a guy way off his shooting percentage..but he’s inconsistent. Without Hughes though he might be a guy who gets it going with some more opportunities. Passed on taking him though
How about them Flames! And the Penguins psychological implosion in LA was indicative of a team experiencing cognitive dissonant denial in the form of a long-term fade originating in being a smug superstar myth that hasn’t been true for years. Is that too harsh? I doubt it. Penguins are in fade trouble, and so are the Flames, except I can see various ways the Flames can recover this season.
Full games OVER 6.0: Florida/St.Louis
Full game UNDER 6.0: Boston/Dallas
Ottawa has been scoring well recently and after watching them blitz-skate against the Flames and retake a lead, a lean today might be Ottawa on the reverse puckline of +1.5. In 7 of their last 10 games, the Islanders have scored 2 or less goals. Ottawa beat the Islanders on January 25th, 2-1. Ottawa has also scored 10 powerplay goals in their last 10 games, which is in the upper half of the league, surely. The Islanders powerplay is relatively weak. If the Senators can limit their penalties, they have a chance to snag one or two points. The +1.5 looks tempting.
Not sure what to think of New Jersey to WIN. Too obvious, low odds. New Jersey has a clear edge in every category except the 2023 Draft Sweepstakes. The Devils are getting strong defense, and those overtimes are putting me off this game too, Columbus being so unlikely to tie in regulation. Not stretching for this one.