I gave the wrong date in my last post, but the picks still went exactly to plan with me going 3-0 on the night including 2 big dogs. The season record is starting to look very good and that has a lot to do with me being on fire with my picks over the past month. Remember I was at about -10 not that long ago.
Season Record To Date: 61-56 for +6.81 units
New York Islanders @ Winnipeg Jets
The Islanders and Jets meet up in what is probably the most important game of either teams season. The Jets have won 5 in a row, but still haven’t got back into the playoff picture in the East, while the Islanders have also been on fire winning 5 of their last 6 games, with the only loss coming in OT to the Rangers. I like the Jets in this one though just because they are at home where they have been very strong lately. I’m surprised they aren’t favourites for this reason, but both teams have been on a tear and one will have to lose tonight.
Play: Jets -105 (5Dimes.eu)
Washington Capitals @ Montreal Canadiens
The Caps huge 8 game winning streak came to a halt in Ottawa on Thursday and now the team is only 2 points ahead of the Jets for the Southeast Division lead. It’s crazy how good the bubble teams in the East are playing and I expect the Caps to dig deep and find a way to beat the Habs in Montreal tonight. Montreal did win their last game at home against Tampa Bay, but that is a poor team and before that the Habs were having trouble keeping the puck out of their net. I expect Ovechkin to put up a goal or two tonight and get his team into the playoffs.
Play: Capitals +135 (5Dimes.eu)
Last night both of our two plays went into shootouts almost simultaneously. I was checking back and forth between the games and in the end we finished up 1-1 with the Jets getting the victory, while the Canucks were unable to solve Bishop enough times. So all-in-all it was a break even night.
Season Record To Date: 58-56 for +2.56 units.
There are only 4 games in the NHL tonight, but I like plays in 3 of them!
Montreal Canadiens @ Pittsburgh Penguins
The Canadiens seem to be slipping here down the stretch. Their defense is suspect after giving up 12 goals in their last two games. Playing against the Penguins won’t help this matter at all and I expect the Pens to be able to put a few past whoever the Habs start in goal. Montreal has been solid on the road this year, but as only small favourites in this one I definitely like the Pens.
Play: Penguins -135 (5Dimes.eu)
Buffalo Sabres @ Boston Bruins
The Sabres have won 2 straight, while the Bruins have lost two in a row including a 4-2 loss to the struggling Canes. They should get Bergeron back in the lineup against the Sabres, but I don’t expect Marchand to be back just yet. I expect a decent game from the Bruins while they rally around the city after the Boston Marathon bombings on Monday, but I can’t see them as 2 to 1 favourites in this one. The Sabres aren’t as bad as they look this season and they will battle to the bitter end against their rivals in what should be a tight contest that could go either way.
Play: Sabres +185 (SportsInteraction.com)
Columbus Blue Jackets @ Anaheim Ducks
The Blue Jackets look poised to make the playoffs this year. They’ve won 4 straight, but they will need to win 4 of their last 5 games to make the playoffs by my estimations. That makes this game in Anaheim an almost must win for the Blue Jackets. They pulled it out against the Avs last game and now they are up against a stronger team, but one that hasn’t been as dominant of late. The Ducks are on a 2 game slide and playing against such a determined squad will not be easy. I like the Jackets as dogs in this one.
Play: Blue Jackets +140 (SportsInteraction.com)
I wasn’t able to get the reasoning up for my four picks from yesterdays games, but I did get the picks up fairly early and I can through with a 2-1 night. The Senators vs Bruins game was cancelled because of the bombings in Boston and I think that was definitely the right thing to do. There are plenty of games tonight with which to get some good action on.
Season Record To Date: 57-56 for +2.56 units.
Tampa Bay Lightning @ Winnipeg Jets
The Lightning have a 6-14-1 record on the road this year and they head on a long trip to face their division rival Jets, who have won 3 in a row and are battling for a playoff spot. The Jets are 11-9 at home this season, but they have been on fire this home stand, having scored 15 goals and only given up 4 in their last 3 games. The Lightning just aren’t a very good team this year and I expect the Jets to find a way to win another game and put themselves right into the thick of things in the Eastern Conference race.
Play: Jets -155 (5Dimes.eu)
Vancouver Canucks @ St. Louis Blues
The Canucks battled to a 5-2 win in Nashville last night and will play once again tonight in St. Louis. The Blues though are a very streaky team and right now they are on two game losing streak and their offense has been gone for quite some time. In their last 5 games the Blues have only managed to put 5 goals on the board (even though they won 3 of those games with 3 straight shut outs). This simply can’t continue, but the Canucks aren’t going to be the answer for them as Vancouver has stepped up their game of late winning 7 of their last 10 to hold a commanding lead in the Northwest Division race. I like the Canucks as dogs in this game, especially with the Blues not being able to score and only having a 9-8-1 record at home this season.
Play: Canucks +115 (5Dimes.eu)
It’s a big night in the NHL for a Monday with 8 games on tap, and most of them quite important in the playoff races. There are a few plays that I really like tonight so read more about them below.
Season record to date: 55-55 for +1.56 units.
**Write ups will follow later this afternoon.
Ottawa Senators @ Boston Bruins
Play: Senators +156 (5dimes.eu)
Vancouver Canucks @ Nashville Predators
Play: Canucks -153 (5Dimes.eu)
Dallas Stars @ Chicago Blackhawks
Play: Stars +168 (5Dimes.eu)
Columbus Blue Jackets @ Colorado Avalanche
Play: Blue Jackets -110 (5Dimes.eu)
Last night went exactly to plan with my 3 picks all winners. The Senators even won, snapping their 5 game losing streak, and as a fan that was very nice to witness. Those 3 w’s have finally got my back in the positive for the year. If I didn’t have that bad couple week streak where I couldn’t get a win to save my life my record would be sitting pretty right now. But that’s how it goes in sports betting sometimes. I’m back on track though riding a hot streak so this is the perfect time to follow my plays.
Season Record To Date: 54-55 for +0.21 units.
Ottawa Senators @ New Jersey Devils
The Senators finally got a win after 5 straight losses, which saw their cushion in the Eastern Conference playoff races disappeared. The Islanders, Jets and Caps all won last night too, so the Sens are still only 2 points ahead of the 9th place Jets at the moment. This means that they have to continue to find ways to win down the stretch in order to solidify their playoff position. Craig Anderson will be back in net tonight for the Sens and he will still be looking for his first win since returning from injury. The Sens have played well in front of Anderson, but he hasn’t been shutting the door the same way he did before the injury. I expect him to come out with a big game against an offensively challenged Devils team though.
New Jersey is on an even worse losing streak than the Sens were (8 games) and have dropped significantly in the East. They are now 4 points out of 8th and desperately need to start winning if their playoff hopes are going to stay alive. It doesn’t look like Kovalchuk will be back and I expect the Sens to build off last night and shut down the Devils in New Jersey. Fatigue could be a factor as this is back to back game near the tail end of a road trip, but with so much on the line I expect the Sens to battle through and win the game against an inferior opponent.
Play: Senators +135 (5Dimes.eu)
Last night Bruins came through for us, but not for the reason we expected as the Devils were able to put up 4 goals against the leagues best defensive team. In the other game the Oilers weren’t able to change their fortunes at home, losing to the Coyotes.
Season Record To Date: 51-55 for -3.29 units.
Carolina Hurricanes @ Washington Capitals
The Hurricanes have now won only once in their last 14 games and are riding a 6 game losing streak into this game. The Capitals are the exact opposite, they have won 5 in a row and 8 of their last 10 to get into the top spot in the Southeast. With these teams at the opposite ends of the spectrum coming together I would have thought the Caps would be bigger favourites.
Play: Capitals -178 (5dimes.eu)
New York Islanders @ Boston Bruins
The Isles are playing well lately having won 2 in a row and 7 of their last 10. They have even been solid on the road with an 11-5-2 record. They head into Boston against a tired Bruins team that played a game last night against the Devils and one that lost Marchand in that game. The Bruins are battling for the top spot in the Northeast, but the Islanders simply battling for a playoff spot trumps that.
Play: Islanders +150 (SportsInteraction.com)
Pittsburgh Penguins @ Tampa Bay Lightning
The Penguins haven’t been playing quite as well as before the Crosby injury, but they should still be big favourites against this Lightning team that just isn’t on the same level. The Lightning got outplayed by the Senators a couple nights ago, but pulled out a win. Ben Bishop is playing well, but the Pens have too much fire power and will be able to score some goals.
Play: Penguins -130 (5Dimes.eu)
I went 2 for 4 with my plays last night with the Caps and Penguins coming through for me. The Senators played a strong game, but the refs were not about to let them win the game. A horrible call against Peter Regin for pushing the puck back with his hand on a faceoff (he clearly used his stick – it wasn’t even close) gave the Lightning a full 2 minute 5 on 3 in the second period which they capitalized on. The Sens were penalized all game long and still outplayed the Lightning, but they couldn’t find a way to fully overcome the refs.
Season Record To Date: 50-54 for -3.09 units.
Boston Bruins @ New Jersey Devils
The Bruins seem to be back on track after their 6-2 thrashing of the Hurricanes a couple nights ago. They now travel to New Jersey to face a Devils team that has lost their last 7 games, but is still in the playoff hunt. A few more losses on this streak though and the Devils playoff hopes will be a thing of the past. The Devils just haven’t been able to score goals on this losing streak (only 12 goals in the 7 games – 6 in their last 5) and I don’t think that will change against the Bruins who have allowed the fewest goals in the NHL this season (only 81). This is a prime game for a shutout and I think the Bruins will easily be able to shutdown an offensively challenged Devils team.
Play: Bruins -140 (5Dimes.eu)
Phoenix Coyotes @ Edmonton Oilers
The Coyotes went home and won 3 straight games last week. They then went on the road and lost 2-0 in Vancouver on Monday night. This has been a theme for the Coytoes this season. They simply can’t win on the road and their 4-9-5 record away from home is proof of this. That said their 13-7-1 home record has kept them in the playoff hunt, but they need to win some road games here to have a shot at the post season. The Oilers are coming off a tough four game road trip that saw them start off with an 8-2 annihilation of the Flames before losing their scoring touch (only 2 goals in the 3 games) against the Canucks, Kings and Ducks. That said those are as tough of three teams that anyone can finish a road trip against and the Oilers were riding a 5 game winning streak before this set back. They should be able to get back in the win column at home against the ‘Yotes and their playoff hopes will remain slightly alive.
Play: Oilers -120 (5Dimes.eu)
I had a busy weekend so I wasn’t able to get any picks up for a few days, but I’m back now ready to continue last weeks streak.
Season Record To Date: 48-52 for -3.49 units.
Ottawa Senators @ Tampa Bay Lightning
The Senators have lost four in a row and have a bad record on the road this year (6-10-3) but they have been playing well and generating chances. The Lightning sit second last in the Conference and are basically out of the playoff race. The Sens need to put a win together and I think they will against this team that the made the deadline deal with. The Sens should know how to score on Ben Bishop, so I expect at least a few goals from them and maybe one from Conacher against his old team.
Play: Senators +116 (5Dimes.eu)
Pittsburgh Penguins @ Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes are just horrible. They have lost 5 in a row in regulation and only won 1 of their last 13 games to plummet out of the playoff race in the East. It should be no problem for the top team in the East to beat them even if it is on the road.
Play: Penguins -163 (5Dimes.eu)
Washington Capitals @ Montreal Canadiens
The Caps and Ovechkin are on a tear having won 4 in a row and 8 of their last 10. Ovechkin has also quietly laid claim to the most goals in the league alongside Stamkos. This could be a battle between two teams who are playing very well, but at these odds you have to take the hot Caps.
Play: Capitals +140 (SportsInteraction.com)
Buffalo Sabres @ Winnipeg Jets
The Sabres have also started somewhat of a playoff push having won 3 in a row. They are only 4 points out of the playoffs and this is a huge game against the Jets who are also fighting for their playoff lives. I like the Sabres though as the Jets were in quite the downward spiral before a big win at home against the Flyers on Saturday. At these odds though you have to like the Sabres to keep their playoff push going.
Play: Sabres +141 (5Dimes.eu)
It was another good night for us last night. I went 2-1 with my picks and I have now had winning nights pretty much all weak. Looking to ride this hot streak to the end of the season to get back to the plus side and then make a solid profit in the playoffs where I usually do very well.
Season Record To Date: 46-51 for -4.49 units.
Columbus Blue Jackets @ St. Louis Blues
The Blue Jackets played last night and Marian Gaborik was the hero with the game winning goal to add to an early assist as they beat the Predators 3-1 on the road. This Blue Jackets team is a real threat for the playoffs this season. They have won 3 in a row and I expect Gabby to continue to play well until the end of the season now that he is back in the limelight. Both of these teams played last night, but the Blues played a longer harder fought game against the Blackhawks where they had to come from behind and win in the shootout. Each team is traveling to St Louis today so I don’t see the home ice advantage as much as normal. That said the Blues are only 8-7-1 at home this season anyways. I like the Jackets to continue their streak and actually move past the Blues in points tonight.
Play: Blue Jackets +150 (5Dimes)
New York Rangers @ Pittsburgh Penguins
The Rangers new players were energized and out for blood in the Rangers 6-1 thrashing of the Penguins a couple days ago. Ryan Clowe scored his two goals of the season and added an assist. Derick Brassard also found the back of the net, while adding 3 assists and John Moore got his first goal of the season. I don’t expect the new guys to have as big of an effect on this game after the adrenaline has wound down. I also think the Penguins are too proud a team to come out and lose again after a 6-1 loss, with or without Sidney Crosby.
Play: Penguins -130 (5Dimes)
Detroit Red Wings @ Colorado Avalanche
The Red Wings played to a 4-2 loss in Phoenix last night and now head to Denver to face the NHL’s worst team. The Avs have lost 6 of their last 7, with the only win being a 1-0 OT win over the Preds. The Red Wings are looking behind them and seeing teams creep up even though the Wings haven’t had a bad stretch. That will give the team motivation to play their best against the NHL’s worst. The Red Wings are 8-8-2 on the road this season, while the Avs are 10-6-1 at home, but the Avalanche have just gotten worse since getting O’Reilly back in the lineup and I see a Red Wings victory tonight.
Play: Red Wings -105 (5Dimes)
The Oilers came through for us in a big way scoring 8 unanswered goals to beat the Flames 8-2 last night. The young guys really got going in that one with Hall picking up 5 points and Nugent-Hopkins adding 4. If these young guns can continue to produce down the stretch we could very well see the first playoff series featuring this young and exciting Edmonton Oilers team.
Season Record To Date: 44-50 for -5.79 units.
Philadelphia Flyers @ Toronto Maple Leafs
The Flyers played a strong game at home last night to come from behind and defeat the Canadiens, who have been a strong team all year. They now carry a 3 game winning streak into Toronto and they are playing well. The Leafs haven’t played since last Saturday so it will be interesting to see if they are still firing like they have in their past few games. I like the Flyers as dogs in this one because I think they still believe they can make the playoffs and will dig deep to find the energy to beat the Leafs.
Play: Flyers +130 (SportsInteraction.com)
Detroit Red Wings @ Phoenix Coyotes
The Coyotes are in the oddsmakers doghouse right now because of their record over their past 10 games, where they have only won 2. That said the team has won 2 of their last 3 (only loss in OT to a streaking San Jose team) and almost every loss in that past 10 came on the road. They should be able to put together another strong effort against the Red Wings tonight in this pick’em game and keep their playoff hopes slightly alive.
Play: Coyotes -105 (5Dimes.eu)
Edmonton Oilers @ Vancouver Canucks
As mentioned before the Oilers scored 8 in a row last night in Calgary and the kids are firing. I don’t think fatigue will be a factor considering how dominating they were last night and the boys will be able to dig deep to try to make the playoffs. The Canucks have lost two in a row and this will be a tough game for them. I like the high flying Oilers as big dogs in this one.
Play: Oilers +158 (5Dimes.eu)
