The streak came to an end last night with all 3 of my plays losing. That brings the season record to (130-139-1) for -3.75 units. Let’s get back on track tonight with a decently busy night in the NHL.
Pittsburgh Penguins @ New York Rangers
Crosby is back and that could mess with the chemistry that the Penguins have shown over their past 9 game winning streak. I like the Rangers as underdogs at home in this one even though they haven’t been playing great lately.
Play: Rangers +121 (5Dimes.com)
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Tampa Bay Lightning
This is a complete fade on the Maple Leafs who have been horrible for over a month now. The Lightning have actually been playing some pretty solid puck of late too and are still in the playoff hunt. I expect a couple out of Stamkos tonight ins a Lightning victory.
Play: Lightning -124 (BetOnline.com)
Boston Bruins @ Florida Panthers
The Bruins are on a 3 game losing streak and just don’t look like the team that a lot of people consider to be the favourites for the Stanley Cup this year. I expect Florida to continue to solidify their playoff position with a win over a solid team tonight.
Play: Panthers +120 (SportsInteraction.com)
Nashville Predators @ San Jose Sharks
As much as I like the Sharks they can’t get it together and they should really no longer be favourites in almost every game they play. The Preds have been great for the entire second half of the season and they will not be intimidated heading to San Jose to play a struggling Sharks team.
Play: Predators +120 (5Dimes.com)
In other news March Madness began today. If you like to bet on college basketball this is the time of year to do it.
Written by: Niko de Jonge
Another solid night going 2 for 2 for +2 units, thanks to the fading of the Maple Leafs and the Wild, who are in my opinion the two worst teams in the league at this moment in time. That brings the season record to (130-136-1) for -0.55 units. Tonight we break back into the positives and go on a streak until the playoffs!
Ottawa Senators @ Montreal Canadiens
The Ottawa Senators took the heritage trip to Montreal on the Via Rail yesterday so they arrived early and will be well rested for this tilt against the Canadiens. Also the recent wins by the Capitals, Panthers and Sabres (over the Sens) will keep the motivation high among the group because they know a slip up down the stretch could cost them that playoff spot. Also with Boston losing so many games of late they could be gunning for first in the division. The Habs are simply put a bad team and they have never been able to put up wins at home (12-15-8) at home this season. They are just returning from a long road trip that had them out West and then to Buffalo so they could have tired legs in this first game back at the Bell Centre. I like the Senators in this one.
Play: Senators -120 (5Dimes.com)
Dallas Stars @ Winnipeg Jets
The Stars have been playing tremendous hockey having gone 10-0-1 in their last 11 with the only loss coming in a shootout to a Penguins team on a similar streak. Yet the Stars are still underdogs heading in to Winnipeg tonight. The Jets have lost their last two and are slipping out of playoff contention. With the way the Capitals have been playing of late the Jets cannot lose this game. That said the Stars have been too strong of late and the thought that Winnipeg is incredible at home is somewhat of a misconception as the Jets have been basically .500 at home in the second half of the season.
Play: Stars +115 (5Dimes.com)
Columbus Blue Jackets @ Edmonton Oilers
The Blue Jackets have been playing fairly well lately and with how bad they were at the beginning of the season they are going to be dogs in almost every game they play which makes them great for backing down the stretch. They were on a 4 game winning streak before a home and away against the league leading Blues gave them two quick losses. I still believe they can build on that momentum from their winning streak and hand Edmonton, a team that has lost three straight, another loss at home.
Play: Blue Jackets +140 (SportsInteraction.com)
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Written by: Niko de Jonge
It was another successful night for me yesterday going 2 for 2 for +2 units, which brings the season record to (128-136-1) for -2.55 units. The Sharks outplayed the Oilers significantly, but pulled off a tight victory. They have been having trouble scoring lately, but this should turn around with all of the talent they have. Tonight there are plenty of games to choose from so let’s get started with some plays:
Dallas Stars @ Minnesota Wild
The Stars are playing some of their best hockey of the year as they have won 5 straight and 9 of their last 10 to put themselves solely in first place in the Pacific division. Tonight they play who I feel has been the worst team in the league over the second half of the season in the Minnesota Wild. The Wild have won 3 of their last 10 and are simply not a very good team. They are higher in the standings than they should be because Backstrom and Harding stood on their heads earlier in the season and pulled out many games that the Wild had no business being in. Minnesota was actually the first place team in the league starting December and has gone down hill since. I think their position in the standings because of their early season success is keeping this line at a reasonable price where the smart money has to go on the Stars.
Play: Stars -157 (5Dimes.com)
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Florida Panthers
The Maple Leafs are another team that it has been smart to fade over the past little while. The Leafs have won 2 of their past 16 games and have fallen from an almost certainty in the playoff picture to a likely top 5 selection in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. The Panthers on the other hand are still in the thick of the playoff race, but with Washington and Buffalo catching up they need to keep their foot on the pedal. Florida has been fairly good at home this season (17-9-8) and they have continued to play fairly good hockey, but without getting a few more wins they are by no means guaranteed a playoff spot so this is a big game for them tonight. Another interesting fact that this game plays a minor role in, is that if the Panthers make the playoffs this year the Maple Leafs will take over as having the longest playoff drought in the NHL.
Play: Panthers -131 (5Dimes.com)
Written by: Niko de Jonge
There are five games in the NHL tonight and a few of them have some serious playoff implications. I’ve been on a bit of a roll lately with my picks and the season record now sits at (126-136-1) for -4.55 units.
San Jose Sharks @ Edmonton Oilers
The Sharks have been playing awfully, but in truth they should have a good team. A game against the Oilers may be just what the doctor ordered to get them out of their funk. I like the Sharks in this one even though they have been playing poorly for the last month. The team simply has too much skill to miss the playoffs and they will know how important every point is from this point forward so I expect them to do everything they can to win this game against the second worst team in the league tonight.
Play: Sharks -136 (5Dimes.com)
Nashville Predators @ Phoenix Coyotes
The Coyotes have been very streaky this year and although they did win their last game it was against a Sharks team that has looked very bad over the past month. The Coyotes lost their previous 5 games, most of which were against sub par teams. The Predators have continued to play very good hockey after the trade deadline and they have won 5 of their last 7. I expect them to get another win tonight in Phoenix.
Predators -105 (5Dimes.com)
Written by: Niko de Jonge
The massive night that Thursdays generally are in the NHL turned out well for me, I went 2-1-1 (my first push of the season) for +1.3 units. That brings the season record to (125-136-1) for -5.55 units. There are four games on this typical quiet Friday night, but I’m planning to get a little close to breaking even to turn the season into a profit for the stretch run.
New York Rangers @ Chicago Blackhawks
The Rangers lost a tough battle with the Ottawa Senators last night, but they are right back in action tonight in Chicago. Both of these teams will be eager to avenge their most recent losses, but the Blackhawks have home ice advantage which they have done well with this season going 22-7-4 at home. The Rangers are 20-10-5 on the road and played last night which can’t help their legs. I also think that the Blackhawks are the more talented team and a serious Stanley Cup contender when healthy. The Blackhawks are a streaky team, but you can be sure they will be up for this game against the Eastern Conference leaders.
Play: Blackhawks -105 (5Dimes.com)
Written by: Niko de Jonge
I was really hoping for an empty netter last night in the Leafs vs Penguins game but there were a couple empty net blocked shots that kept me from hitting the over. Tonight is a massive night in the NHL though so I have a few plays that should come through to make up for it.
Buffalo Sabres @ Boston Bruins
The Sabres had a tough battle with the Hurricanes last night, but I think they will have enough in the tank tonight to visit their rivals with a playoff position on the line. This will be a very close checking game and I think it could go either way so I love the Sabres odds.
Play: Sabres +185 (5Dimes.com)
Los Angeles Kings @ Columbus Blue Jackets
I’m backing the Blue Jackets every chance I get right now. Bookies are underestimating a team with nothing to lose and players fighting for jobs next year. The Jackets have won three straight and have been good at home recently.
Play: Blue Jackets +130 (SportsInteraction.com)
New York Rangers @ Ottawa Senators
The Sens can score and Ben Bishop looked a little shaky for them in net on Tuesday. I see this game having a few goals potted to hit the over.
Play: Over 5 -125 (5Dimes.com)
San Jose Sharks @ Dallas Stars
Sometimes you just have to call it what it is instead of looking at how well teams should be playing. The facts are that the Sharks have been abysmal of late and the Stars have been ripping it up. So when the Sharks are still favourites on a trip to Dallas I’m calling BS and backing the Stars right away. The Sharks should be a good team, but they can’t win lately and what is different about tonight other than heading to a city where the club has won 7 of their last 8, with the only loss coming in a shootout.
Play: Stars -101 (BetOnline.com)
Written by: Niko de Jonge
Last night I went 3 for 3 including two big underdog victories by the Blue Jackets and Stars. Those underdog wins allowed for a 4.3 unit profit last night, so I hope everyone followed my plays! That brings the season record to (123-134) for -5.85 units. There are only two games in the NHL tonight and I only like one play, but check it out below.
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Pittsburgh Penguins
The Maple Leafs went back to their losing ways last night and once again allowed plenty of goals in their 5-4 loss to the Boston Bruins. Toronto is now 2-10-1 in their last 13 and the teams playoff hopes are quickly disappearing. The Penguins on the other hand got some good news yesterday when Crosby revealed that he is symptom free and able to start practicing with full contact. He will not be in the lineup tonight, but it shouldn’t be long before the face of the NHL is back on the ice. I didn’t really like the odds for Pittsburgh to win tonight because as you can imagine they are massive favourites, but I do like the over 5.5 line. The Maple Leafs have gone over 5.5 total goals in 8 of their last 10 games, mainly due to not being able to keep the puck out of their net and I expect a possibly tired Maple Leafs team to get lit up tonight. That being said the Maple Leafs have some firepower of their own, which should help us hit the over for tonight’s game. The Penguins have also gone over 5.5 in 7 of their last 10 games, which makes me more confident in tonight’s play.
Play: Over 5.5 -117 (5Dimes.com)
The NHL season is coming down to the wire. You should be checking the NHL standings every day to see how teams are progressing!
Written by: Niko de Jonge
I’ve had a few days off, but I’m back today with several predictions on this busy Tuesday night in the NHL. The season record now sits at (120-134) for -10.15 units.
Phoenix Coyotes @ Columbus Blue Jackets
The Coyotes are in a bit of a rut having lost their last 3 games after their incredible 11-0-1 stretch over February. Phoenix and Columbus just played a few days ago in Phoenix where the Blue Jackets won 5-2. That was the Blue Jackets most recent game and now they return home to take on the same Coyotes team, except for the fact that the Coyotes played last night (losing to Pittsburgh) and Columbus has home ice advantage in this game. I like the Blue Jackets as underdogs in this one.
Play: Blue Jackets +140 (SportsInteraction.com)
Boston Bruins @ Toronto Maple Leafs
The Bruins haven’t been playing their best hockey of the season, but heading into Toronto to play a struggling Leafs team that is adjusting to a new system could be the remedy. Toronto finally won a game after going 1-9-1 in their previous 11. That being said the win was against the Eastern Conference’s worst, Montreal Canadiens, so there isn’t a ton to get excited about for Leafs fans just yet. The game tonight will be a much bigger test, but I expect the Bruins to take advantage of a few mental errors that the Maple Leafs are sure to make adjusting to a new system.
Play: Bruins -133 (5Dimes.com)
Dallas Stars @ Vancouver Canucks
The Stars have played well lately and worked themselves into first in the Pacific division. The Stars were able to defeat the Canucks in overtime a week and a half ago and I expect another tight battle tonight that could go either way. For this reason the smart money has to be on the Stars who are playing great hockey and have a decent road record this season. Richard Bachman gets the call in net for the Stars and he has been stellar this season going 7-3-1 with a 2.58 GAA. Luongo will be in the other net and although he has been playing well the Stars have the firepower to put enough by him to win this game.
Play: Stars +190 (SportsInteraction.com)
Written by: Niko de Jonge
The Panthers were absolutely demolished last night so I couldn’t have been further off with that prediction. With that loss the season record moves to (119-133) for -10.20 units. It’s a fairly busy Friday and I like two plays tonight.
New Jersey Devils @ Washington Capitals
The Devils are still on a four game skid after they were beat in overtime in Boston in their last outing. With the Devils losing ground in the East this is a big game with the Capitals who have come alive of late winning their last 3 games, including their epic come from behind victory against the Islanders a few nights ago. The Caps were expected to be a top team once again this year and that just has not happened, but it has nothing to do with their play at home. Washington has gone 21-8-2 at home this season and I expect another win from them tonight as they look to jump back into 8th spot in the East with a win.
Play: Capitals -125 (5Dimes.com)
New York Rangers @ Tampa Bay Lightning
The Rangers have been a picture of consistency this year and they have the most points per game in the league at the moment. They are on another good 3 game winning streak as they head into Tampa Bay tonight. The Lightning are on a 2 game winning streak of their own and they are sitting just 5 points back of the Capitals (the team who has the 8th most points per game in the East) so they still believe they have a shot at the postseason. The Lightning have a great 19-9-2 home record this season and play a majority of their remaining games at home, including this one. Every game is crucial for the Lightning at this point and I like them to find a way to score against the stingy Rangers defense and win this game to make the playoff race even more interesting.
Play: Lightning +130 (5Dimes.com)
Written by: Niko de Jonge
Last night I made one play and it turned out to be a heart breaker with the Stars losing in a shootout to the Penguins. The Stars could have easily won this game, so I still think the sharp money was on the Stars, but sometimes the right play doesn’t win. That loss brings the season record to (119-132) for -9.20 units. March is upon us, which means we are down to the stretch run towards the playoffs. My goal now is to come out of the regular season with a profit, which I believe to be a very manageable goal. Tonight there are plenty of games, but I only found 1 sharp play.
Florida Panthers @ Winnipeg Jets
The Panthers take their 3 game winning streak to Winnipeg in an important game against the Jets. If the Capitals pass Florida and take the Southeast division lead then the Jets are the Panthers biggest threat for that last playoff spot, which means this game is big for their playoff certainty. As mentioned the Panthers are on a 3 game winning streak, albeit over weak opponents, but they have also won their last 4 games on the road and have been a fairly strong road team all season. As we all know the Jets have been very good at home this season (19-10-4), but they’ve actually lost their last two games (both at home) and have been a fairly average home team in the second half of the season. These are fairly even teams and this game could really go either way, but I don’t think the Jets have as big of a home advantage as the bookies are giving them credit for. For that reason I like the odds on the Panthers.
Play: Panthers +125 (5Dimes.com)
Written by: Niko de Jonge
