Written by Scott on Tuesday, December 27th, 2022
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Hope everyone had a good Christmas where you got what you wanted and were able to pig out on the Christmas meal. I got an Yzerman and Lemieux jersey to add to my collection and some new slippers.
The World Juniors kicked off yesterday. Canada has some work to do as they didn’t look very good in their loss to the Czechs. The U.S won their game against Latvia.
Well after a couple days off we are right back in the mix with 12 games scheduled. The odds for quite a few of the games are unplayable but let’s have a look.
Blackhawks vs Hurricanes
This game has the Canes the heavy favorites. If we were to take the Canes it would have to be -2.5.
The Canes have won 8 in a row and are at home where they have gone 10-3-1. But taking them to win by 3 goals is not something I’m doing.
Capitals vs Rangers
Should be a good game between the 4th and 5th place teams in the Metro.
The Caps have won 4 straight and are 9-1 over last 10 but Carlson took a hard shot to the face in the last game and will miss some time. He joins a long list of injuries for the Caps with Wilson, Backstrom, Hagelin, Brown and Oshie all hurt.
The Rangers are 8-2 over last 10. They are at home where they have gone 8-6-4.
The Rangers are favored here and we would need to take them in regulation to get any value. With Carlson now out it would seem like the Rangers can win this game but they are a tricky team to try and predict so I have to skip.
Bruins vs Senators
Any time the Bruins play they are going to be favored.
The Bruins have won their last 4 games and are 7-1-2 in last 10. The Sens are on a 3 game losing skid and have gone 5-3-2 over last 10.
These teams played at the start of the season and the Sens won 7-5.
The Bruins are better than the Sens in all major stats. They score the 2nd most per game and allowing the fewest in the league.
I’m a little nervous going with regulation as the Bruins are on the road but they are a strong team and will be looking for revenge
Bruins win in regulation
Ontario: 1.86 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
Rest of Canada: 1.86 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
USA: -130 Odds at BetOnline.
Everyone Else: 1.86 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
(Odds correct as of 2022/12/27 10:15:41 AM EST but are subject to change.)
Sabres vs Jackets
The Sabres are on a 4 game win streak and there was some strong teams they have beat with the Avs and Knights 2 of them.
The Jackets are bad right now. They have lost their last 6 games, are 2-8 over last 10 and are tied with the Ducks for 2nd last place in the league.
The Sabres should win this game but the odds make it have to be a regulation play and they are on the road so I don’t have confidence in them like I do with the Bruins.
This game has been postponed.
Penguins vs Islanders
The Penguins lost their last game but are 8-1-1 over last 10. The Isles won their last game but are 4-4-2 over last 10.
Looking at the Over/Under and it’s 5.5 which is decent. 2 of the Penguins last 4 went over that and 3 of the Isles last 4 did too.
With both teams coming off the Christmas break they should be ready to get going here.
Over 5.5 incl OT/SO
Ontario: 1.80 Odds at Sports Interaction
Rest of Canada: 1.80 Odds at Sports Interaction
USA: -115 Odds at BetOnline.
Everyone Else: 1.80 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
(Odds correct as of 2022/12/27 10:15:41 AM EST but are subject to change.)
Leafs vs Blues
The Leafs won their last 2 and the Blues dropped their last 2.
The Blues are 16-16-2 this season which isn’t where they expected this season at the Christmas break.
The Leafs are favored here and would need to be a regulation play. Their road record is 8-5-3 and it’s those 3 losses in overtime that has me put off of this.
Stars vs Predators
The Stars are in 1st place in the Central and have gone 6-3-1 in last 10. On the road they have gone 10-5-3.
The Preds have gone 3-4-3 over last 10 and are at home where they have gone 8-5-3 and are in 6th in the Central
They have played twice so far at the beginning of the season and the Stars won both by a combined 9-2 score.
I like the Stars chances here but it’s the Preds and they are a pain in the ass to try and predict. They have played 32 games this season and 10 of them needed extra time.
Wild vs Jets
The Jets limped into the Christmas break losing their last 2 games and going 5-5. The Wild lost their last game but have gone 7-3 over last 10.
The played once and the Wild won 6-1 in Minnesota.
Both teams have had good seasons and are only separated by 3 points in the standings.
The Wild are favored but this should be a good game and I am going to skip it as it could go either way.
Avalanche vs Coyotes
The Avs have won their last 4 games but 3 of them were in OT. The games that needed OT weren’t exactly strong teams with the Habs, Preds and Isles all needing extra time.
The Coyotes are 4-5-1 over last 10 and 2 of their last 3 games needed overtime.
The Avs are favourites here and we would need to take them -1.5 and with their recent results it’s an easy pass for me especially with all of their injured players.
Oilers vs Flames
Battle of Alberta games are always fun to watch. You can throw out all stats when these teams meet.
The Oilers are in 5th in the Pacific and are 4-4-2 over last 10. The have went over in their last 6 games.
The Flames are in 4th in the Pacific and are 4-2-4 over last 10. They have gone over in 7 of their last 10 games.
The goal totals over the last 10 times they played are high with only 3 exceptions; 5, 7, 9, 8, 5, 8, 15, 14, 4 and 8.
With these teams so close in the standings I think it will be a great game.
Over 6.5 incl OT/SO
Ontario: 1.75 Odds at Sports Interaction
Rest of Canada: 1.75 Odds at Sports Interaction
USA: -131 Odds at BetOnline.
Everyone Else: 1.71 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
(Odds correct as of 2022/12/27 10:15:41 AM EST but are subject to change.)
Sharks vs Canucks
Nothing from this game I like so an easy skip for me.
Knights vs Kings
Big game here. The Knights are in 1st place in the Pacific with 49 points, the Kings are in 2nd with 44.
The Kings could gain some valuable points with a regulation win. But the Knights have been a good team so far this year and have a road record of 14-2-1. The Kings at home have gone 10-5-2.
These teams played in the season opener and the Knights won 4-3.
This is a tough game to call and the odds are a coin toss so I’m staying away from it.
Thanks Scott, solid picks. New slippers-I’m jealous.