The Canucks came through for us in overtime last night in Edmonton with Henrik and Daniel setting up Tanev for the first goal of his career. Tonight there are plenty of games on tap in the NHL so we will have more than one pick. Hopefully we can keep the week perfect after going 3 for 3 in the last couple nights.
Season Record To Date: 23-15 for +8.83 units.
Pittsburgh Penguins @ New York Islanders
The Pittsburgh Penguins have turned it on. They have now won three straight handily and their top guns are finally putting the puck in the net with relative ease. The Pens last loss actually came against these same Islanders and you can expect them to be out looking for revenge. Pittsburgh has not been in many tight games this year, with the only 1 game of their 9 decided by a goal being their shootout win against the Senators. Other than that every win or loss has been decided by 2 or more goals. This fact, combined with the fact I’m expecting a big game from the Pens to make up for their 4-1 loss to the Isles a week ago I’m taking my first puck line play of the season.
Play: Penguins (-1.5) +205 (5Dimes.eu)
Tampa Bay Lightning @ Philadelphia Flyers
The Lightning were on a 5 game winning streak where they had scored 28 goals before losing 3-2 to the New York Rangers this past Saturday. I’m expecting them to bounce back with a strong effort against a struggling Flyers team. The Lightning just have too much firepower for a relatively weak Flyers back end. Expect enough Lightning goals for a W tonight.
Play: Lightning +105 (5Dimes.eu)
Buffalo Sabres @ Ottawa Senators
Here is a battle between two teams on 2 game losing streaks. Although the Sens were robbed by the refs in Montreal, they still didn’t manage to convert on enough chances to make up for getting screwed. Without Jason Spezza in the lineup this is going to have to continue and you have to wonder how long Craig Anderson can continue being near impossible to beat. The Sabres are a good draw for the Sens tonight, but I still think with their lack of offense this game could go either way. And for that reason I have to take the + money on the Sabres in this one.
Play: Sabres +132 (5Dimes.eu)
Calgary Flames @ Detroit Red Wings
Another fade of the Flames coming up. The Flames actually outplayed the Blackhawks significantly in their last game, but still came up short. They don’t have the firepower up front to put the puck in the net and I don’t expect them to be all over a fresh Red Wings team like they were against the Blackhawks who were tired from playing the second of back to backs. The Red Wings should be able to put the puck in the net enough to win tonight. This Detroit team isn’t good enough to let games against weaker opponents slip by if they expect to make the playoffs this year.
Play: Red Wings -150 (5Dimes.eu)
I’m a little late with the picks today after the Super Bowl festivities last night. I was on the 49ers, so I lost that pick, but both of my NHL plays for the day came through so I’m happy about that. There are only a few games in the NHL tonight with the majority being late Western Conference games so you still have quite a bit of time to place your bets.
Season Record To Date: 22-15 for +7.83 units.
Vancouver Canucks @ Edmonton Oilers
The Canucks are finally starting to play like they should, which is as one of the best teams in the Western Conference and the top team in the Northwest. They are coming off a big shootout win over their rival Blackhawks on Saturday night and will now be travelling to face the Oilers for the second time this season. The Oilers got the better of the ‘Nucks in the first meeting, winning in a shootout. But since then the Canucks have shook off some rust and will be the better team on the ice tonight. Luongo gets another start for the Oilers, as he has been solid to start the season and I expect more of the same tonight. I’m close to taking the puckline in this one, but the Oilers also have some firepower so I’m sticking with a money line play.
Play: Canucks -129 (5Dimes.eu)
That is my only play of the day. If you are interested in placing more bets you should check out our NHL betting strategy page to learn more about what you should look for on a regular basis when picking winners.
Once again last night we had a tough shootout loss. But. This time we had a big shootout win to go with it. In the exclusive pick that was only sent to members who sign up via the email newsletter at the bottom of this page the Blackhawks won a nail biter in the shootout. That brings my exlusive pick record to 1-0 on the season. Make sure you sign up below this post for future exlusives. In our other ones, the Devils took a beating, the Bruins shutout the Leafs and the Sharks lost to Preds in a shootout, breaking their winning record.
Season Record To Date: 20-15 for +5.58 units.
Pittsburgh Penguins @ Washington Capitals
I just woke up and this game is about to start so I better make this pick quick. I’m on the Penguins primarily because the Caps are brutal and the Pens have shown me some good signs and they look to be rolling.
Play: Penguins -125 (5Dimes.eu)
Florida Panthers @ Buffalo Sabres
The Sabres lost 6-1 yesterday afternoon and now they host the Panthers who are rested and coming off a big win. The Panthers aren’t as bad as their record shows (actually neither are the Sabres), but I expect a spirited effort today and I like the + odds in this one.
Play: Panthers +125 (SportsInteraction.com)
That’s it for today. I have to rush downstairs to turn on the games this afternoon and then its Super Bowl time! Check out NHL.com to learn more.
It was another basically break even night for us with the Ducks doing their part in the late game, but the Flyers continued to find ways to lose, dropping a 3-2 decision to the Washington Capitals. Today is Saturday and as always there are plenty of games to choose from. I do very much like one of these games and will be sending out that pick exclusively to email subscribers around 3pm so be sure to sign up for the newsletter below the post to receive the first of our exclusive picks for the year.
Season Record To Date: 18-13 for +6.18 units.
New Jersey Devils @ Pittsburgh Penguins
Yes, the Devils have lost 3 straight games, but each of these went to extra time and the team still has not lost a game in regulation this season. This shows that they are able to play with anyone and this will be the case tomorrow in a matinee in Pittsburgh. The Penguins are coming off a big win in New York against a struggling Rangers team, but it was still a big win to give them back some confidence after losing a couple games in a row. I see this one going either way and I actually have the Devils winning this game somewhere around 45% of the time, but there is still value at +145 odds.
Play: Devils +145 (Bet365.com)
Boston Bruins @ Toronto Maple Leafs
The Bruins are coming off a somewhat embarrassing loss to their divisional rivals, the Buffalo Sabres, from a couple nights ago. I expect a bounce back performance from a team that I consider one of the best in the NHL. The Maple Leafs are playing good hockey, but if the Bruins come out like I expect them to this is Boston’s game to lose. The Bruins need to win this game more than 57.45% of the time for this to be a sharp play and I think that is a definite.
Play: Bruins -135 (SportsInteraction.com)
Nashville Predators @ San Jose Sharks
The Sharks are 7-0-0 to start the season. Yes they won their last 2 games in shootouts, but they have been the best team in every one of these wins, except the Ducks shootout victory. I expect them to once again be the best team at home against the visiting Preds. Nashville has been on the road for a long time, as this will be their 6th consecutive game playing on the road and that fatigue is likely starting to build up. The team has had quite a bit of trouble scoring this season with only 12 goals in 7 games and I don’t see them scoring many against a Sharks team that has given up the mirror amount (12 goals against in 7 games).
Play: Sharks -160 (5Dimes.eu)
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Last night did not start off well and by the time our third game rolled around we had already lost the two 7 o’clock ones. This left the Avs to salvage our night as big dogs and although it came down to the wire Paul Stastny stepped up with a few minutes left to pot two goals and win the game for Colorado and us. This brought last nights record to 1-2 for -0.6 units. Overall though it was a good first month and we will look to continue to win into February.
Season Record To Date: 17-12 for +6.30 units.
It’s a pretty busy night, but I only see two lines that I really like and I’m not trying to push anything right now because my heater has slowed down a bit over this past week.
Philadelphia Flyers @ Washington Capitals
The Capitals are just bad this season. Ovechkin and Backstrom aren’t creating any offense and the team is simply getting out played on most nights. Last night they lost to the Maple Leafs in a game that really could have been a blow out, and two nights before they lost in Ottawa. In both of these games they gave up leads and they just don’t look like a strong team. The Flyers don’t look like they team they were last year either and with a 2-5 record they are going to have to start winning some games if they want to make the post season. The struggling Caps who could be fatigued might be just what the doctor ordered for these Flyers.
Play: Flyers -112 (5Dimes.eu)
Minnesota Wild @ Anaheim Ducks
Minnesota gave Chicago their first loss of the season two nights ago, but I’m still not sold on this Wild team. The Ducks on the other hand are fresh, having only played 5 games this season and really outplayed the Sharks in their last game before losing in a shootout. That’s saying a lot because the Sharks are still undefeated and have dominated most other teams. I’m expecting the Ducks to get on the score sheet early and often in this one.
Play: Ducks -116 (5Dimes.eu)
My one play yesterday ended up losing in a shootout. This seems to be coming a theme, but the good news is my teams at least aren’t getting blown out of the water when I lose, which indicates my beliefs are still accurate and we will win half of those coin flips over the course of the season.
Season Record To Date: 16-10 for +6.90 units.
Pittsburgh Penguins @ New York Rangers
The Penguins lost their last game 4-1 to the Islanders and before that they defeated the Sens in a shootout in a game that could have easily gone the other way. Prior to that they lost two games, so as you can tell they are not on top of their game at the moment. The Rangers seem to be trending the other way having won their last two games and finally looking like the team they were expected to be. I expect a big game from the Rangers at home and if they can shut down Malkin they should be able to win this game.
Play: Rangers (SportsInteraction.com)
Washington Capitals @ Toronto Maple Leafs
The Caps and the Leafs each played tough games a couple nights ago. The Caps blew a two goal lead, losing to the Senators, while the Leafs rallied beat the Sabres in overtime. The Caps looked very good in the first half of the Senators game, but then they got away from their aggressive fore check when they got a lead and the Senators took advantage. If they can put that same pressure on the suspect Maple Leafs D they should have solid results. Don’t expect much out of Ovechkin though, he just isn’t much of a threat out there.
Play: Capitals +100 (SportsInteraction.com)
Colorado Avalanche @ Calgary Flames
Anytime a team is this big of a dog against the Calgary Flames I will be on them in a heart beat. The Avs did lose in Vancouver last night, but the Flames simply aren’t a very good team and I still give the edge to the Avs just by looking at the lineups. Colorado isn’t much better, don’t get me wrong, but at these odds they are a very sharp play in Calgary.
Play: Avalanche +155 (SportsInteraction.com)
I was at the Senators game last night and in the first half of the game I witnessed some of the worst hockey the Senators have played all season. I did make my predictions before it was announced that Spezza was out of the lineup and you could really notice his absence with the Senators unable to gain the zone very easily and scrambling on defence. Luckily Craig Anderson kept them in the game and a late goal made the third period deficit manageable. The Sens then came on strong and Erik Karlsson basically took over the game and played an instrumental part in the Senators game winning goal late in the third. A great recap of the game can be seen here. I also won 2 of my other three games with the Islanders winning big as massive dogs. The Pens don’t deserve to be as big of favorites as the bookies have them on most nights so you may see a lot of Penguin fading while they are on down swings. The Habs also pulled off a win for us, but the only loss came when the Devils lost in a shootout to the B’s, but as decent sized dogs I still consider that a good bet, so overall a very good night.
Season Record To Date: 16-9 for +8.10 units.
Chicago Blackhawks @ Minnesota Wild
The Blackhawks have won 6 straight games to start the season and I don’t see any reason why that trend would end tonight. The Wild played last night, winning at home against the Blue Jackets, but over the course of this season I still haven’t seen anything to make me believe this is a good team like they are being given credit for. The Blackhawks are definitely a much better team than the Wild and they are playing like it, with Patty Kane playing some of the best hockey of his career. The Blackhawks are 4-0 on the road already this year and they have had 2 days to rest before heading to Minnesota and playing a possibly tired Wild team. I’m surprised the Blackhawks aren’t bigger favourites.
Play: Blackhawks -120 (5Dimes.eu)
That’s it for today. The Sens vs Habs lines aren’t up at the moment and I am leaning towards the Oilers and Canucks, but not strongly enough to make them official plays.
Last night was the first really unfortunate night of the year so far with my NHL picks. Prospal was able to beat Lehtonen from a bad angle early in the third and the Blue Jackets were able to hold on to their one goal lead for the victory. In my other game the Canucks gave up a two goal lead in the second half of the game and simply could not solve Jonathan Quick in the shootout. Perhaps playing in the second of back to back games the Canucks did indeed run out of gas in this one.
Season Record To Date: 13-8 for +5.15 units
New Jersey Devils @ Boston Bruins
The Devils suffered their first loss of the season on Sunday in overtime in Montreal. Now they head down to Boston to face a team that is 4-0-1 on the season, but just played last night all the way down in Carolina. Boston will have traveled home after the game last night and this could cause fatigue for tonights game, coupled with the fact they had a battle with the Hurricanes. I like the Devils to continue playing solid hockey so at +140 I couldn’t pass up this line.
Play: Devils +140 (5Dimes.eu)
New York Islanders @ Pittsburgh Penguins
Even with the win over the Senators this past Sunday the Penguins haven’t been playing their best hockey. Most people would agree the Sens outplayed them and before that game they were on a two game skid. There is no reason the Islanders can’t roll into Pittsburgh and put up a battle. I see this one going either way so +195 odds is amazing value on the Isles.
Play: Islanders +195 (SportsInteraction.com)
Winnipeg Jets @ Montreal Canadiens
The Jets gave me a loss on Saturday so it may be tempting fate to bet against them again. That said I like how the Habs have been playing and the Jets have been perennially bad on the road. PK Subban will be back in the lineup for the Canadiens tonight and as long as he doesn’t become a liability and the team sticks to what they were doing to start the season the Canadiens should win this game.
Play: Canadiens -124 (5Dimes.eu)
Washington Capitals @ Ottawa Senators
The Caps come to Ottawa tonight as a shell of their former selves. This starts with Ovechkin and Backstrom who have struggled to start the season. Someone who hasn’t struggle is Craig Anderson in Ottawa’s goal and he will get the start tonight. I’m looking for the Senators to dominate this game.
Play: Senators -138 (5Dimes.eu)
I wasn’t able to get posts up the last couple of days, but yesterday I did get a couple picks up on the Facebook page (NHL Betting Tips Facebook Page) and I went 1 for 2 and broke even with the Sharks winning handily, but my Islanders pick went south when they blew a two goal lead and lost in overtime. On Friday it was a similar outcome with the Canucks winning handily while the Sens blew a two goal lead for another break even night. Tonight I’m on another two moneyline picks.
Season Record To Date: 13-6 for +7.35 units
Dallas Stars @ Columbus Blue Jackets
It was supposed to be Jamie Benn’s return to the Stars lineup tonight, but recent news says there may be a chance he could miss another game due to immigration paperwork issues. That said the chances are the Stars will be able to get this sorted in time for tonights clash with the Blue Jackets and this should be a big boost to the Stars roster. Dallas is currently 2-2-1, and as expected the Blue Jackets are struggling at 1-3-1 so far this season. Kari Lehtonen is getting the nod in goal tonight for the Stars and this is important because Lehtonen is by far the Stars best option in net. I expect the Stars to head into Columbus and get a win tonight.
Play: Stars -120 (5Dimes.eu)
Vancouver Canucks @ Los Angeles Kings
The Canucks weren’t able to match the streaking Sharks last night, but they won’t have time to dwell on it as they face the defending Cup Champion Kings tonight. The Kings finally got their first win of the season on Saturday night with a 4-2 win over Phoenix. They still haven’t been playing great hockey though and the Canucks had improved with two wins before running into the Sharks last night. I like the money line here on the Canucks as dogs against a Kings team that may still be nursing a long Stanley Cup hangover.
Play: Canucks +125 (5Dimes.eu)
Last night was another close to break even night, but the Oilers vs Kings game staying low scoring actually ended up giving us a small loss. For a Friday there are actually quite a few games taking place so it looks like it will be a good weekend.
Record To Date: 11-4 for +7.35 units.
Ottawa Senators @ Tampa Bay Lightning
It is the Sens second game in two nights and Ben Bishop is getting the start, but I can’t not take the Senators with + odds the way they are playing right now. The team defense has been very strong and I expect Bishop to be in top form like he has been in the AHL all season long. The Lightning are starting Lindback who hasn’t been too stellar in his first 2 starts this season. Simply put, the Sens are rolling and I’m taking them at + odds against anyone at this moment, even more so the Lightning.
Play: Senators +118 (5Dimes.eu)
Vancouver Canucks @ Anaheim Ducks
Even though the Canucks haven’t been playing their best hockey I still believe in the team and expect them to win on most nights. They are even odds against the Ducks tonight and I expect a victory. It’s true they haven’t won in regulation yet this year and were lucky that Kassian pulled out a nice move to win the shootout (and my bet) a couple days ago, but this team is too good not to get things together soon and start winning.
Play: Canucks +100 (5Dimes.eu)
That’s it for tonight. After two basically break even nights in a row I need a big night so keeping it simple. Sticking with the top two Canadian teams in the league and expecting them to get it done on the road. It should be an interesting night.
**Tomorrow will be the exclusive pick. I already have it in mind and its a winner. Sign up for the newsletter below to receive it!
