Written by Scott on Monday, February 5th, 2024
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All-Star weekend just happened.
McDavid won the million dollar prize for the skills competition as he won the fastest skater, accuracy challenge, stick handling and obstacle course. Was weird seeing Kucherov clearly not giving a shit during his events with a million dollar prize at stake.
Team Matthews won the All-Star finals tournament vs Team McDavid. It was fitting that Matthews and all of the Leafs he had on his team won the tournament in Toronto. Matthews was named All-Star MVP.
Only 2 games for us tonight as we begin the push for the playoffs.
Avalanche vs Rangers Betting Tips:
This is a big game.
The Avalanche are in 1st in the Central and on a 3 game win streak. Over their last 10 they have gone 7-3-0. They are 1st in GPG, 9th in shots, 17th in GAPG and 8th in SOGA. On the road this season they have gone 12-9-3.
The Rangers are in 1st in the Metro and 4-5-1 in last 10. They are ranked 12th in GPG, 11th in shots, 9th in GAPG and 6th in SOGA. At home they have gone 15-7-0.
The odds for this are basically a coin flip. I would lean towards the Rangers to win but they have been too inconsistent recently so have to pass.
Islanders vs Leafs Betting Tips:
They have played each other twice this season with the Isles winning both and each time was a 4-3 overtime win.
The Isles needed a break to try and find a way to turn things around. They have gone 2-6-2 in last 10 and are on a 3 game losing skid. They are 24th in goals, 21st in shots, 24th in goals allowed and 31st in shots allowed. On the road this season they have gone 8-11-5.
The Leafs just hosted the All-Star weekend so that should help them stay motivated. They have gone 5-4-1 in last 10 and are on a 3 game winning streak. They rank 8th in goals, 7th in shots, 21st in goals allowed and 19th in shots allowed. They have gone 11-9-2 at home.
With Team Matthews winning the All-Star game at home you have to wonder if and how much momentum they gained from that. The team had Matthews, Reilly, Nylander and Marner and they have been in Toronto since January 28th.
This could be a close game but the Isles aren’t very good when they pull the goalie and the Leafs are good when the opposing team does so I think the Leafs can get it done here.
Leafs win in regulation
Ontario: 2.00 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
Rest of Canada: 2.00 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
USA: -105 Odds at BetOnline.
Everyone Else: 2.00 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
(Odds correct as of 2024/02/05 8:22:48 AM EST but are subject to change.)
colorado -105
Going against my actual handicap here. Might be overthinking it. Always wary of how teams play out of the break. Also Colorado away record is about .500 while Rangers at home is still solid.
Having said all that, I like the Georgiev vs Quick matchup here. Not yet confirmed, but both have been listed as the likely starters. Quick has actually got the better stats but recently it hasn’t really translated to wins for him. Quick has been about a .500 goalie in limited starts the last two months. Georgiev should be ready to go vs his former team.
Avs seem to be trending up, while Rangers seem to be regressing a bit. I don’t like the Rangers results vs Top Teams Recently. In January they dropped games at home to Carolina, Vancouver and Vegas. And also lost to Vegas on the road and even a struggling Kings team. So it’s hard for me to pick them here. Rangers did have a dominant win at Ottawa to go into the break. But I need to see more.
As mentioned Colorados away record is just average. But they have picked up recent wins on the road vs Philly, Ottawa, Toronto and Dallas. So they could get it done here as well.
The Fan in me would like to see Rangers get it done here. But the gambler has to lean Avs.
Avs -105