Our big dogs last night, looked just like that, and ended up getting destroyed by the Blackhawks who were on the second of back to back games. That loss brings the season total to 24-44 for -23.81 units. I’ll try to chip away at the negative tonight with a big Thursday night in the NHL.
Montreal Canadiens @ Philadelphia Flyers
The Habs were destroyed a couple nights ago at home to LA so they will be looking to bounce back in Philadelphia. The Flyers are in a similar situation except they played last night in Chicago and the fatigue could be a factor in this one. Overall I just think the Habs are a better all around team than the Flyers this year and I expect them to win this one on the road.
Play: Canadiens 1.787 (5Dimes)
Columbus Blue Jackets @ New York Rangers
I’m surprised that the Blue Jackets are as big of dogs in this one as they are. I like Columbus this year as a close to average team, which is about how I assess the Rangers as well. Add in the fact the Rangers home record basically mirrors the Blue Jackets road record and I’ll take the big dogs every time.
Play: Blue Jackets 2.45 (5Dimes)
Carolina Hurricanes @ Calgary Flames
The Flames are still in my opinion the worst team in the NHL so when I get a chance to take their opposition at basically even money I’ll do it. The ‘Canes aren’t a great team, but I still like them to beat the Flames around 60% of the time.
Play: Hurricanes 2.00 (BetOnline)
A couple shootout losses last night turned what really should have been a profitable night into a losing one. The Sens and Red Wings were both up in their respective games, but ended up losing in shootouts, while the Habs were destroyed by the Kings. The Blackhawks were our only winner last night. Season totals are 24-43 for -22.81 units.
Philadelphia Flyers @ Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks dominated the Stars last night winning 6-2, and now they have to play again tonight at home in Chicago after taking a flight home from Dallas last night after the game. The Flyers will have been waiting for the Blackhawks in Chicago for this one. The Flyers have been a better team of late, but they are still one of the worst teams in the league facing off against one of the best. That said the fact that the Blackhawks just played last night, and the fact they went off for a lot of goals in a revenge type game makes me think they could come out flat in this one. At the current odds I’m taking the Flyers.
Play: Flyers 2.64 (5Dimes)
After my 0-4 stinker of a night on Thursday I decided to take the weekend off from making picks. I just can’t seem to maintain a hot streak this season without a really bad night setting me back. The season totals are now 23-42 for -20.61 units.
Los Angeles Kings @ Montreal Canadiens
I normally wouldn’t take the Habs over the Kings, but the way the Canadiens are playing right now they deserve to be the favourites in this one. Montreal is 9-0-1 in their last 10 and Pacioretty and Desharnais, among others have found their game at this point in the season. The Kings have also won 3 straight and are looking good, but it will be interesting to see how they play on this big road trip in Eastern Canada. I like the Habs in this one.
Play: Canadiens 1.893 (5Dimes)
Ottawa Senators @ Buffalo Sabres
The Sens continue to have no trouble scoring goals this year, as they rank 3rd in the East in that department, but they also rank 3rd in the East in goals allowed, an area they excelled in last season. That said a big shootout win against the Flyers last night should give them confidence and they are playing the Sabres who have scored only 51 goals in 30 games this year. That’s right an average of 1.7 goals per game. If the Sens can keep the Sabres to 2 goals or less tonight I like their chances.
Play: Senators 1.781 (5Dimes)
Detroit Red Wings @ Florida Panthers
The Red Wings have done very well without Datsyuk in the lineup of late. That said he will be back in the lineup tonight and eager to show that he can lead this team without Zetterberg. I expect the Red Wings to outplay the Panthers in all aspects of the game and pull off a win tonight on the road.
Play: Red Wings 1.80 (5Dimes)
Chicago Blackhawks @ Dallas Stars
The Blackhawks absolutely dominated the Stars about a week ago when these teams met, but the Stars managed to squeak out a victory despite being outshot 50-18. I expect a similar game in terms of dominance from the Blackhawks, but I doubt the Stars can find a way to win a game like that again. Take the Blackhawks in this one as they get their revenge.
Play: Blackhawks 1.82 (5Dimes)
The Habs came through for us with a dirty win last night after tying the game up late and winning in a shootout. That brings us to 3-0 in December. The season record still sits at 23-38 for -16.61 units.
It’s a Thursday and that means it’s another big night in the NHL. Let’s try to keep the December hot streak going.
Dallas Stars @ Toronto Maple Leafs
The Leafs are in the middle of a 5 game losing streak and have not looked good throughout. They have given up 23 goals in this span. Giving up the most goals against per game seems to finally be catching up with Toronto. Dallas has been without Seguin for the past few games, but they still pulled off a big win over Chicago a couple days ago. The West has been dominant this season and I expect another W for the Western Conference in this one tonight. I’m very surprised to see that the Stars are underdogs at Sports Interaction, especially because Maple Leafs star Phil Kessel left practice yesterday with an injury.
Play: Stars 1.95 (SportsInteraction)
Ottawa Senators @ Tampa Bay Lightning
The Sens may have turned the corner with their win in Florida a couple nights ago. They are still giving up too many goals per game, but playing a Lightning team that hasn’t scored in either of their past two games may be just what is needed. It seems that being without Stamkos is finally starting to catch up with Tampa Bay.
Play: Senators 2.13 (BetOnline)
Winnipeg Jets @ Florida Panthers
The Panthers should not be the favourite against any Western Conference teams this year. The Jets haven’t been great, but they are still in the mix in the West and that’s saying something. The Panthers on the other hand are out of the mix in the East, they’ve lost 3 in a row, and they have only won 4 of 15 games at home this season. I watched the Sens vs Panthers game and there must have been fewer than 10,000 in attendance. That can’t help pump up your team to play in your building.
Play: Jets 2.10 (SportsInteraction)
Colorado Avalanche @ Edmonton Oilers
At some point you have to give the Avs respect for how good they are this season. You also have to understand just how bad the Oilers are. The Avs aren’t even very big favourites in this one tonight. I see the Avs fast and skilled forwards lighting up the inexperienced defenders on the Oilers. Look for the Avs to win by a bunch.
Play: Avalanche (-1.5) 3.25 (5Dimes)
Last night went exactly as planned with the Sharks winning by 2 and the Sens pulling out the game after trailing 2-0 early. Those two wins are great to start off December with and now I must try to build on them as we get closer to Christmas. The season total now sits at 22-38 for -17.59 units.
Montreal Canadiens @ New Jersey Devils
This is my only play for the day. The Habs head to New Jersey to complete their home and away with the Devils. Montreal pulled out their home end of the back-to-back with a 3-2 win at the Bell Centre on Monday. I expect them to complete the sweep in New Jersey tonight. The Habs have shaken their lines up over the past couple weeks and it seems to have sparked David Desharnais and Max Pacioretty into becoming the players they are expected to be. Looking down the Habs lineup they have 3 very quality lines that can put the puck in the net. Carey Price has been playing some of the best hockey of his season and if he is in net tonight it will be very tough for the Devils to score.
Overall the Habs are just a better team than the Devils and I don’t expect home ice advantage to play that big a role in deciding the winner of this game.
Play: Canadiens 1.98 (BetOnline)
I’m back from holiday and ready to get back to making some NHL picks. November was another bad month, but since I will be around all of December I should be able to turn a profit this month.
The season record stands at 20-38 for -20.24 units.
San Jose Sharks @ Toronto Maple Leafs
The Leafs have been playing horribly of late and the Sharks have once again found their game winning their last 5. The Sharks have also been dominant against Eastern Conference opponents this year. They should be able to win again tonight.
Play: Sharks (-1.5) 2.70 (5Dimes)
Ottawa Senators @ Florida Panthers
Both of these teams have been bad this year. That said the Sens have been able to play fairly well away from home, and getting away from the CTC may be just what this time needs. They’ve also shaken up the lineup a bit bringing up Hoffman who was second in the AHL in points and sending down Borowiecki, who was making some defensive mistakes.
The Sens do need to make some changes if they hope to get back in the playoff picture though. Their defender depth is just not where they thought it would be and the puck is ending up in the back of their net far too much. That said I like them to beat the Panthers tonight and get back in the W column.
Play: Senators 1.943 (5Dimes)
I’m going to just stick with the two Ontario team games tonight as I try to get back into the happenings of the NHL after my couple weeks away.
I’m going to keep this post short, even though there are quite a few plays tonight. The season record is 19-35 for -18.84 units.
New York Islanders @ Toronto Maple Leafs
I still believe in the Islanders this year and the lack of centers for the Maple Leafs at this time is still a concern for them. They battled to a split series with Buffalo of late, but the Islanders are a big step up.
Play: Islanders 2.25 (SportsInteraction)
Ottawa Senators @ Philadelphia Flyers
The Sens were embarrassed by the Flyers 5-0 last Thursday in Ottawa and I expect a bounce back game tonight. They also played very poorly on Sunday at home, and have done well in bounce back games this season.
Play: Senators 2.05 (5Dimes)
Nashville Predators @ Detroit Red Wings
The Red Wings have lost 5 straight games in OT or shootout. They are not as good as most critics and oddsmakers give them credit for. The West is much stronger than the East this year and the Preds are still close to an average Western Conference team. With these odds I like the Preds in this one.
Play: Preds 2.60 (SportsInteraction)
Minnesota Wild @ Montreal Canadiens
The Wild are rolling and they are no joke this year. They are a stronger team than the Canadiens and deserve to be the favorites even though this game is in Montreal.
Play: Wild 2.02 (BetOnline)
I went 0 for 2 again last night. This just has not been my year. The season record now sits at 17-33 for -18.74 units. You may want to just start fading my picks at this point in the year!
I’ve also decided to start making my picks in decimal odds format because I think more people who read this are familiar with that over the American odds. Check out this page to learn more about it if you are used to American odds.
Anaheim Ducks @ Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes have played a bit better of late, while the Ducks have lost 2 straight and have been a very average team on the road this year. Take the Canes in this pick’em game.
Play: Canes 1.95 (BetOnline)
Nashville Predators @ Pittsburgh Penguins
Both of these teams have lost 3 in a row so something has to give tonight. I’m taking the Predators just because with both teams playing badly of late I think this could go either way.
Play: Preds 2.95 (SportsInteraction)
Montreal Canadiens @ Columbus Blue Jackets
The Habs are a better all around team than the Blue Jackets and Columbus just played last night, losing in overtime in Boston. The Habs will be the more rested team and this could be more like a home game for them. I like Montreal to take it.
Play: Habs 1.95 (SportsInteraction)
Philadelphia Flyers @ Winnipeg Jets
The Flyers have won 3 straight, but they are still the underdogs against a weak Winnipeg team, that seems to have found their game of late. I still think the Flyers have more upside than the Jets and are more of a threat to turn around their season. A win tonight will do a lot to continue their resurgence.
Play: Flyers 2.2 (SportsInteraction)
I did not have a good night at all on Tuesday, losing with 3 favourites, so my record now sits at 17-31 for -16.74 units. Let’s get right to tonight’s plays:
Los Angeles Kings @ New York Islanders
The Kings lost in Buffalo a couple nights ago and seem to be having a bit of trouble on the road this season, with a 4-3-1 record. This will be the second game on the Kings 4 game road trip to Eastern Canada and I think the Islanders may be the most formidable team they will face on this trip. I like the Isles even though they haven’t had the best start to the season. A couple of backup goalies are in net tonight with Scrivens in for the Kings and Poulin in for the Isles. I think this definitely helps New York because Nabokov has not been great this year, while although Scrivens has good number he has won only 1 of the 3 games he has played.
Play: Islanders +108 (5Dimes)
Colorado Avalanche @ St. Louis Blues
The Avalanche have lost every time I’ve bet on them this year, but as they travel to St. Louis tonight they are underdogs. I still think the Avs are a strong team built on speed that may work well against the Blues. JS Giguere who is 5-0-0 with a 1.00 GAA and .970 save percentage gets the nod in goal tonight for the Avs, which also makes me more of a believer. Anytime I can get a 14-3-0 team who is 6-1-0 on the road with an undefeated goaltender as fairly big dogs I will take it.
Play: Avs +143 (5Dimes)
My last picks came last Thursday when I went 3-2 for +2 units. That brought my season record to 17-28 for -12.03 units and the November record to +0.75 units.
Colorado Avalanche @ Carolina Hurricanes
The Avalanche haven’t missed a beat, winning their last 2 games after dropping one to Nashville a while ago. They are the real deal this year and they are still playing amazing hockey. The Hurricanes haven’t showed me any reason to think they are a playoff team this year and I like the Avs as relatively small favourites to continue their winning ways in Raleigh.
Play: Avs -139 (BetOnline.ag)
Los Angeles Kings @ Buffalo Sabres
The Sabres beat the Sharks, sure, but they are still the worst team in the league and have lost their most recent two games, including a 2-0 loss to the Kings in LA. I would have expected LA to be much bigger favourites than this, which is why I’m taking them here. I don’t usually like taking favourites close to -200 or more, but this is one case where I feel it is a positive expected value play.
Play: Kings -182 (BetOnline)
Philadelphia Flyers @ Ottawa Senators
I’m going to another Sens game while I’m here in Ottawa. This will be my third game in the past couple weeks and I am expecting another win from my home town boys. The Flyers are playing a bit better of late, but they are still only beating other teams near the bottom of the standings and continue to have trouble putting the puck in the net. When I saw the Flyers live they just didn’t look dangerous as they were not making plays in the offensive zone. If they do this again tomorrow the Senators should have no trouble scoring enough goals to win the game.
Play: Senators -150 (BetOnline)
