Written by Scott on Wednesday, March 30th, 2022
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I went with over 5.5 in the Rangers vs Penguins game and it only hit 5 when the Rangers won 3-2. The Rangers are now in 2nd, Pens 3rd in the Metro. This was a good game and if the playoffs were to start today this would be a first round matchup and the game had that feeling to it.
The Leafs beat the Bruins 6-4. I’m glad I avoided this game as I mentioned that if the odds were better for the Bruins I would have taken them. The Leafs Mrazek injured his groin in the 1st and left the game, Holl and Lyubushkin also left the game for the Leafs.
The Stars beat the Ducks and are back in the playoffs for the time being. The Lightning beat the Canes 4-3 in overtime and the Avalanche beat the Flames 2-1 in a game between the two best teams in the Western Conference.
6 games tonight. We are less than a month until the Playoffs start. This season is flying by.
Jets vs Sabres Betting Tips:
The Jets have won their last 2 games, have gone 7-3 over last 10 and are 3 points out of the playoffs. The Sabres are 6-2-2 over last 10 and are all but eliminated from contention being 26 points out.
The Jets should win this game but I still am not touching them. If you want to take the Jets it would have to be in regulation and that’s another reason why I’m skipping this game.
Rangers vs Wings Betting Tips:
Both teams are on streaks of 3 games with the Rangers winning thier last 3 and the Wings losing their last 3.
They have played once this season with the Wings winning 3-2 in a shootout.
The Rangers should win this game but they played last night so they may be tired. They have gone 6-4-1 in games played in the 2nd half of back to backs.
That’s okay but not exactly giving me any confidence in them here.
Kings vs Oilers Betting Tips:
The Kings are in 2nd in the Pacific with 81 and the Oilers 3rd with 79. An Oilers win here would see them switch places in the standings with the Kings.
The Kings are 4-4-2 over last 10 and the Oilers are 7-2-1. They have played twice this season with each team winning once.
There’s a lot on the line here standings wise. It should be a great game but I can’t back either team with crucial points to be had.
Knights vs Kraken Betting Tips:
The Knights have won their last 2 but are 4-6-0 over last 10 and are currently out of the playoffs with 76 points in 68 game, the team they are chasing has 77 in 65.
The Kraken are out of the playoffs and are now just showing up to games they are told to be at.
I would say I would take the Knights to win in regulation here but they haven’t been playing very good, that’s why they are now out of the playoffs, and I have no confidence in them.
Blues vs Canucks Betting Tips:
Either team has been very good over their last 10 games. The Blues have gone 4-4-2 and the Canucks 3-4-3.
The Blues hold the 1st wild card spot and the Canucks are 4 points back of the 8th place Stars.
With the way both teams are playing I find it hard to back either for this game. They have played twice this season with the Blues winning both but now that the Canucks are in desperate need of points they should show up here.
Sharks vs Coyotes Betting Tips:
Yeah, I have no idea who wins this game.
I would lean towards a Sharks win but it would have to be in regulation and I can’t back that. The Coyotes are slumping losing their last 6 games but I still can’t find enough reasons to take the Sharks
Update: just heard on radio sports news that the Jets’ Connor is out with a positive COVID test, has to stay in the USA at least 5 days, so will miss some games (plus another player is out). Connor is often seen in Winnipeg goal highlights, as the finisher. This is a serious blow to the Jets capacity to score, raising the odds of a good result for Buffalo. Buffalo at +1.5 is around x1.50 which would make a great addition to a parlay. Buffalo has been playing very well recently, and Winnipeg has been drifting along, I see Buffalo doing well tonight in a home game. Jets play Toronto tomorrow and will naturally focus adrenaline on that game?
Other games: RANGERS and VEGAS to win. Otherwise, no bets.
Vegas NEEDS to win games like this, and the points race is in their control if they use this situation of being well rested and playing in Seattle twice over three days. That’s a gift situation. 4 points if they go for it. Kraken can beat any team who slacks off, so the Knights have to show up determined to seize the day. I expect them to tonight. What else is there to do in Seattle, go whale watching? Rangers won’t want exhaustion or injuries from an almost meaningless Detroit game, but wouldn’t mind taking the two points. Lackluster probably, so not taking the Over either. LA vs Oilers looks interesting but could go in any direction, I can’t figure out what the Oilers will be like on the scoreboard, but I like the almost 100% likelihood that means Calgary beats the Kings tomorrow in Calgary, on the puckline (even at low odds, it looks like a sure thing).
Scott, I think your take on these games is spot on. As both you and Graeme have noted, this is a weird time of the season with way too much variance for serious betting unless it’s clear that a team is pushing hard for a PO spot or has totally tanked. Having said that, I think the Rangers and Oilers get things done tonight.
In the case of the Rangers, they have been playing well and though they are in a good spot it’s only the Canes and Cats that seem assured of a playoff spot, the rest of the teams are jockeying to stay out of a WC. But more importantly, their opponent tonight is in total disarray: After getting dummied by the Penguins it’s hard to see the Red Wings having much fire in the belly, plus their goaltending situation is a shit show and there are rumors of the coach getting canned.
What a Jekyll and Hyde team the Oilers are. One night they seem unbeatable and then the next they get rag-dolled by the Flames. They are not assured of a playoff spot and will be looking for two points tonights against a good, but not great, Kings team who are seriously banged up with eight regular bodies missing from their lineup at the moment. Nevertheless, they have some rookies who are talented and hungry and they play a great defensive game. Goals will be hard to come by, but
the Oilers can pass the Kings with a victory tonight to take sole possession of the second spot in the Pacific. The Oilers are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games overall and 8-2-0 over their last 10 games at home against Los Angeles.
Rangers regulation
Oilers regulation
For those of you who follow AHL, jump on the Reign wagon and fade the Barracuda.
GLTA SDB