Our good start to November was washed away as I went 0-3 last night. That brings the season record to 14-26 for -14.03 units. Novembers units are also down to -1.25. Time to get back in the black for the month with a big Thursday.
Montreal Canadiens @ Ottawa Senators
The Sens finally got a win in Columbus after a 5 game losing streak and they will want to continue their winning ways against the Habs as their next stretch of schedule is very winnable. The Sens should be a good team this year and they are just finding their stride. Robin Lehner will get the nod in goal and he has been very good this year, finally getting his first win against the Blue Jackets after several other strong games. The Sens destroyed the Habs in the playoffs last year and will look to carry that into today’s game. There is some bad blood between these teams so this will be interesting.
Play: Senators -108 (5Dimes)
Minnesota Wild @ Washington Capitals
The Wild are on a three game winning streak and have won 6 of their last 7. Yes 6 of these games were at home and they only boast a 2-3-1 road record this season, but their recent road win was over the Stanley Cup Champ Blackhawks and it looks like the Wild are really finding their game. They have still looked good in their losses this year, but over the past stretch they have find a way to turn their in game dominance into wins which is the key ingredient. I’m also not sold on the Capitals. Sure they’ve won 3 straight, but I still don’t think Ovechkin helps them as much as the oddsmakers may think. Also, the West has been dominant this year, which makes me take the Wild +100 in this one.
Play: Wild +100 (BetOnline)
New York Islanders @ Carolina Hurricanes
The ‘Canes broke their 5 game losing streak with an overtime win a couple nights ago, but this was against the struggling Flyers so I’m not going to read into it that the Canes are back. The Islanders are a strong team who have been having some trouble getting the job done of late. That said their class should allow them to defeat a Hurricanes team that I think is still struggling.
Play: Islanders -110 (SportsInteraction)
Edmonton Oilers @ Tampa Bay Lightning
The Oilers won their last game in Florida in overtime, but they gave up a big lead before coming back to win the game. This Oilers team is still in shambles and heading to one of the top teams in the East won’t help them. They should give up several goals against the high powered Lightning and I see them losing by several tonight.
Play: Lighting (-1.5) +150 (5Dimes)
Vancouver Canucks @ San Jose Sharks
The Sharks are having a tough time winning games of late, having lost their last 3 in extra time or a shootout. The Canucks are probably a better team than the ones who were defeating San Jose so the Sharks will be in tough to get out of their slump. I still think the Sharks are a better team than the Canucks, but sometimes when you get in a slide it’s hard to get out. As big underdogs I like the Canucks to keep the Sharks feeling the pain on this losing streak.
Play: Canucks +160 (5Dimes)
We had a great 3-1 night last night, with two shootout victories to help us to a +2.95 unit night to start off November. That brings the season total to 14-23 for -9.83 units. We will need a few more big nights in November to get back into the black after the rough first month. Only four games in the NHL today, but I’m going to look to continue getting some wins after a good Tuesday.
Pittsburgh Penguins @ New York Rangers
The Penguins are riding a 4 game winning streak after battling through 3 straight losses and don’t look like they’re about to slow down when they head to MSG. The Rangers are 2-2 at home since their extra long road trip to start the season, but they still don’t seem like a team nearly as strong as they were two seasons ago. I’m not expecting the Rangers to make the playoffs this year and this includes losing games like this do divisional rivals.
Play: Penguins -135 (5Dimes)
Nashville Predators @ Colorado Avalanche
At 12-1 it’s time to start thinking the Avalanche are no fluke this year. Varlamov quickly put the domestic violence arrest behind him and won in Dallas last week. He once again gets the nod tonight and I expect another big game from him. The Preds are no pushovers but the way the Avalanche are rolling you have to go with Colorado in this one.
Play: Avs -185 (5Dimes)
Phoenix Coyotes @ Anaheim Ducks
The Coyotes have won 5 straight, but their last 3 wins have been in shootouts. Four of these five wins also came at home and they played last night getting a shootout victory over Vancouver. All that said, I still think this battle with the Ducks will be a coin flip. Phoenix will be rested enough from their home stand to play at a high intensity for two nights straight. Also factor in that the Ducks are finally returning home from 8 game road trip and I like the Coyotes in this one. Teams often have a let down in their first game back at home after a long roadie and 8 games definitely qualifies.
Play: Coyotes +147 (5Dimes)
I’m finally able to get my first prediction post up for the month of November. I’m looking for a big night to start off the month much better than October, which I finished 11-22 for -12.78 units.
Dallas Stars @ Boston Bruins
The Stars and Bruins made a blockbuster deal in the summer which sent Seguin to the Stars and Eriksson to the Bruins among others, which makes this game that much more interesting. It will be Seguin and Peverley’s home coming to a team they won a Stanley Cup with 3 years ago and made the Cup Finals with last year. There will be a little added motivation for both teams in this game because of this. I like the Stars as such big underdogs partly because of this added emotion, which can cause more unpredictability in games and also because the West has just been very strong vs the East this year.
Play: Stars +180 (5Dimes)
New York Islanders @ Washington Capitals
Alex Ovechkin is back in the lineup, and according to me that is not a good thing for the Capitals. Washington won both games without Ovechkin in the lineup and gave up a total of 2 goals in this span. Ovechkin may score a lot of goals, but I’m not convinced he helps his team win as much as many people give him credit for. The Caps are also probably considered bigger favourites in this game because their captain is back in the lineup, but to me this just makes the Islanders an even better bet.
Play: Islanders +125 (SportsInteraction)
Ottawa Senators @ Columbus Blue Jackets
The Senators have lost 5 in a row, including their last two games in shootouts against very beatable teams (Islanders and Stars). They head to Columbus for their lone road game in a large home stretch looking to end this losing streak and find their game. Robin Lehner is in goal for the Sens and although he has not yet won a game, he has looked very good this season. If the Sens can keep the Blue Jackets under 40 shots I like their chances. Columbus is playing Curtis McElhinney in goal tonight, which should help the Senators turn around this slump.
Play: Senators +115 (5Dimes)
St. Louis Blues @ Montreal Canadiens
The Blues are coming off a 4-2 loss to a Lightning team that looks very strong this year. They have had 3 days to think about it and I expect a bounce back game in Montreal tonight. The Habs have lost 2 in a row, both on the road to strong teams (Wild & Avs), but they are in tough once again with this physical St. Louis team coming to town. I like the Blues as small favourites in this one.
Play: Blues -122 (5Dimes)
Wow another horrible night. This is not looking like my month. I’m now 10-21 for -12.38 units.
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Calgary Flames
The Leafs played last night, winning 4-0 in Edmonton and now they face the other weak team from Alberta, the Flames. Calgary got off to a good start this year, but simply put they are a bad team and the wins will not continue. Even though the Leafs played last night and are on the road this is a pick’em game, but I’m still taking the Leafs because they are on a roll and have a better lineup than the Flames.
Play: Leafs -103 (BetOnline)
Detroit Red Wings @ Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks are on a 4 game winning streak, while the Red Wings have not played well lately losing 4 straight games and only scoring 5 goals in that span. Vancouver is a streaky team and I expect them to make both teams streaks go up to 5 tonight. Canucks with 5 wins in a row and the Red Wings with 5 losses.
Play: Canucks -140 (5Dimes)
Back on the 25th I took 2 plays and only won 1. The season record now sits at 10-19 for -9.88 units. I’m still trying to turn October around, but only have a few days left to do so.
New York Rangers @ New York Islanders
Vanek will feel like he needs to match Moulson’s two goals in his Sabres debut so I expect him to be at his best tonight. The Islanders are also at a desparate time of the season, which is why they made that trade. They know they need to win games soon, especially against division rivals to stay in the playoff race. The Rangers simply aren’t a very good team and I don’t think returning to MSG after their long road trip will help them. That said this game is at Nassau Coliseum where the Isles have been good.
Play: Islanders -150 (5Dimes)
Tampa Bay Lightning @ New Jersey Devils
I still don’t believe in the Devils even after they have somewhat turned things around winning 2 of their last 4 games. The Lightning are for real this season with strong goaltending to match their offensive firepower. I like the Lightning to make their winning streak 4 games in Jersey.
Play: Lightning +102 (BetOnline)
I’m going to stick with just these 2 plays tonight and hope to go 2 for 2 to start off a good end to the month.
Last Tuesday was a horrible 0-4 day for me. I’ve found some time today to get a post up with my picks for what is a fairly active Friday in the NHL. My record now sits at an embarrassing 9-18 for -9.58 units, but I got off to a slow start last year as well before turning it around.
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Columbus Blue Jackets
David Clarkson is back in the Leafs lineup tonight, but I don’t think this will help them on the ice. The Blue Jackets have won 2 straight and are a better team than they are generally given credit for. I like Columbus at home tonight.
Play: Blue Jackets -115 (SportsInteraction)
Anaheim Ducks @ Ottawa Senators
The Ducks embarrassed the Sens in Anaheim in their last meeting setting a franchise record for shots on goal. Expect Ottawa to be ready for this one and to come out firing against a Ducks team that lost two in a row and should be fatigued after playing last night in Montreal. The Sens are scoring goals easily of late as well, so I like them to win this game.
Play: Senators -130 (SportsInteraction)
I’ve taken a few days off after going 1-4 on Saturday night. My season record took another hit and now sits at 9-14 for -5.5 units.
Anaheim Ducks @ Toronto Maple Leafs
The Ducks are on a 7 game winning streak and after setting a franchise record I don’t see them letting up. The Leafs have lost 2 in a row and haven’t looked as great as they did starting the season. I like the Ducks in this pick’em game.
Play: Ducks -105 (5Dimes)
Chicago Blackhawks @ Florida Panthers
This bet is primarily being made because the odds at Sports Interaction are off. The Blackhawks are -185 at 5Dimes, which means there is an arbitrage opportunity by betting at both sites to guarantee a profit. That said, the 5Dimes odds are the accurate ones, while Sports Interaction often pays out more than the market on big underdogs and here is another case.
This is one of the great reasons to have a Sports Interaction account, and Canadians to take advantage of the free $20 bet.
Play: Panthers +190 (SportsInteraction.com)
Nashville Predators @ Minnesota Wild
The Preds are playing well having won 2 in a row. The Wild on the other hand have found ways to lose 6 of their 9 games and are returning home after losing the last 3 games of their road trip. Take the Preds as the dogs in this one.
Play: Preds +135 (SportsInteraction.com)
Washington Capitals @ Winnipeg Jets
The Caps just haven’t looked great at all this year, while the Jets have quietly had a half decent season and sit just a game below .500. They are at home for the 6th straight game and will know they need to take better advantage of this early home stand. Expect a W from the Jets at home.
Play: Jets -103 (BetOnline)
Yesterday I put my one pick up on the Facebook page for my followers because I didn’t have time to do a write up here. Unfortunately the Blues blew their 2 goal third period lead and lost in a shootout to the Jets to make my play a loser. That comes after a solid 3 for 3 night on Wednesday. My season total now sits at 8-10 for -2.03 units. With a big night in the NHL I’m looking to get back in the black.
I wasn’t able to find internet on the road until after the early games were underway, but there are still plenty of bets to make for the evening games.
Colorado Avalanche @ Buffalo Sabres
The Avs finally dropped a game when they lost to the Red Wings the other night, but a visit to Buffalo might be just the thing they need to get back on track. The Sabres have only won 1 game in 9 this year and I expect their winning percentage to drop to 10% after this one.
Play: Avs -142 (5Dimes.eu)
New York Rangers @ New Jersey Devils
The Devils are the only winless team in the NHL after dropping another one in Ottawa on Thursday. Tonight they play their rival Rangers and even though New York hasn’t been at their best and are on the 7th game of their big star to the season road trip I think the Rangers will find a way to pull out a W in Jersey.
Play: Rangers -102 (5Dimes)
Carolina Hurricanes @ New York Islanders
The Islanders are a strong team at Nassau Coliseum and I still think they are a strong team even after only winning 3 of their first 7. The Hurricanes have the ability to win any game, but they also have the ability to lose to anyone. I like the Islanders to use home ice to their advantage in this one and get on a bit of a roll following their recent win over Edmonton.
Play: Isles -128 (BetOnline)
Detroit Red Wings @ Phoenix Coyotes
The Red Wings continue their West Coast swing against Phoenix, after knocking off the unbeaten Avs a couple nights ago. The Wings are playing strong hockey and should be able to win against a Phoenix team I think is playing above their abilities.
Play: Red Wings -117 (5Dimes)
Dallas Stars @ Los Angeles Kings
The Stars are bigger dogs in this one than I think they should be. The team has won 3 of 6 this year and the Kings aren’t playing their best hockey at the moment. It’s LA’s first home game after a 4 game road trip, so fatigue could be a factor for the Kings. At +167 I like the Stars in this one.
Play: Stars +167 (5Dimes)
I took last night off, because I didn’t see any sharp bets in the two games in the NHL. Tonight there are 12 games on tap, so plenty of bets can be made. On Tuesday I went 2-1 for +1.25 units, thanks to the Sens pulling the game out in OT. That takes my season total to 5-9 for -3.83 units. A big night tonight will do a lot to get back to even for the month.
Edmonton Oilers @ New York Islanders
The Oilers have allowed 32 goals, the most in the league, through 7 games this season and have only won once so far. I don’t see them learning how to play defense in Long Island, where the Islanders are generally a strong team. I think New York has underperformed this season and they should be able to get back in the win column against an Oilers team that is extremely unorganized at the moment.
Play: Islanders -145 (5Dimes.eu)
Pittsburgh Penguins @ Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers have been horrible this season, but don’t expect the Pens to take this game lightly. The Penguins vs Flyers rivalry is intense and the Penguins are surely chopping at the bit to run the score up against the struggling Flyers. Expect a big win for the Penguins in Philly tonight.
Play: Penguins -157 (5Dimes.eu)
New Jersey Devils @ Ottawa Senators
The Sens still aren’t playing to the level they are capable of, but playing their first game at Canadian Tire Center should give them all the motivation they need to find their game against the winless Devils who are struggling to score goals (as anticipated). The Sens are coming back from a long road trip so you have to worry about fatigue, but the emotion of opening night and the knowledge that they don’t have the best record should produce a good game from them.
Play: Senators -150 (SportsInteraction.com)
Last Friday was not a good day for my picks as I went 0 for 3 for -3.45 units, which brings my season record to 3-8 for -5.08 units. Not the start the season I was looking for. I took a few days off, which was pretty easy seeing as I’m on the road and I’m back today with a few picks on this very busy Tuesday. A big night tonight could go a long way in turning this month around.
Vancouver Canucks @ Philadelphia Flyers
The Canucks are only 3-3 this year, but they are still a very strong team and are likely still figuring themselves out under Torts. Not being in the worst division in hockey will likely keep them from finishing as high in the standings this year, but the pieces are still in place for them to have another playoff appearance.
The Flyers on the other hand look horrible. I saw it first hand at the Wells Fargo Center a few days ago, just how far from dangerous this team is offensively. They only have 8 goals in 6 games this year and with Hartnell and Lecavalier both out I don’t know how they are going to get on the scoreboard tonight. Giroux looks dangerous, but his confidence to finish the plays just aren’t there. This should be an easy win for the Canucks as the Flyers simply cannot get shots from dangerous areas.
Play: Canucks -110 (5Dimes.eu)
LA Kings @ Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa can be a dangerous team, as they have shown at times early this season, but in I’ll take the Kings as a slight dog on the road against Tampa all day long. The Kings are a great road team (3-1-0 this season) and even though they are on the other side of the country I think they have more weapons and a better defensive system. They should win this game.
Play: Kings +100 (BetOnline.ag)
Ottawa Senators @ Phoenix Coyotes
My Sens are just playing horribly lately. That said they have been playing games against some of the top teams in the league (Sharks, Kings, Ducks) so playing the Coyotes will give a better idea of just how bad their team defense is this season. They have given up 50+ shots in both their last games, but I highly doubt that will happen against the Coyotes. Phoenix is 4-2-0 on the season, and are currently riding a 3 game winning streak back to Glendale. That said I still like the Sens to come out with a big effort tonight to finish off their road trip, as they have been embarrassed the last few games.
Play: Senators +125 (5Dimes.eu)
