Last night I went 2 for 3 with my plays, the only loss coming after backing the big underdog Blue Jackets against a depleted Red Wings team that found a way to win on the road. For the night I was 2-1 for +1.17 units, which brings the season record to (119-131) for -8.20 units. Tonight there are four games on tap, so let’s find some sharp plays.
Pittsburgh Penguins @ Dallas Stars
The Penguins have won 3 games in a row, while the Stars are on a 4 game winning streak so this is a match up between a couple of hot teams, but somebody has to lose tonight. The Penguins have not been great on the road this season, posting a 16-13-3 record, compared to the Stars home record of 18-12-2. The Pens have also lost 3 of their last 4 road games. Lehtonen who was amazing for the Stars early in the season also looks to have returned to form winning his last 3 starts and only allowing 3 goals in that span. Lehtonen is a huge part of the Stars team and when he is on they have a good chance to win, so him being the confirmed starter tonight bodes well for the Stars. I would have the Stars as a slight favourite in this game, so Dallas at +120 is a great play.
Play: Stars +120 (SportsInteraction.com)
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Written by: Niko de Jonge
Tonight there are 9 games on tap in the NHL with some big games with huge playoff repercussions. Last night I went 1 for 2 to break even, so the season record now sits at (117-130) for -9.37 units.
Detroit Red Wings @ Columbus Blue Jackets
The Red Wings have slowed down quite a bit of late having lost their last 3 games. Tonight they travel to Columbus to take on the worst team in the league, but the Wings lost their last game in Columbus and with the streak they are on they could easily lose again tonight. Columbus still hasn’t been playing great, but they’ve been playing a bit better of late and their remaining players know they are playing for their NHL lives. At +185 I couldn’t pass on the Blue Jackets against a struggling Red Wings team that hasn’t been great on the road all season.
Play: Blue Jackets +185 (SportsInteraction.com)
Montreal Canadiens @ Tampa Bay Lightning
The Habs bring their East worst record into Tampa Bay tonight to face the Lightning. The Habs are all but out of the playoff hunt, while the Lightning still have an outside shot if they can get a winning streak together. Tampa has a solid 18-9-2 record at home and they’ve won their last 3 games in their home building. Montreal has lost 4 straight and have only scored 4 goals in that span. They’ve won 1 of their last 7 (a shootout victory) and I am surprised that the Lightning aren’t bigger favourites in this one.
Play: Lightning -118 (5Dimes.com)
Vancouver Canucks @ Phoenix Coyotes
The Canucks have been one of the hottest teams in the league, but the Coyotes have been the hottest having gone 10-0-1 in their past 11 to all but solidify their spot in this years playoffs. After that 11 game streak the Coyotes are underdogs at home. This is an easy bet.
Play: Coyotes +117 (5Dimes.com)
Written by: Niko de Jonge
It’s deadline day in the NHL so I’ve been watching the TSN trade centre stream online and it has been a slow day thus far with a few Stanley Cup contenders adding a few small pieces for their playoff run. I took the day off yesterday, but on Saturday I went a poor (1-4) for -3.1 units, which brings the season record to (116-129) for -9.37 units. It’s a fairly busy Monday in the NHL and I have two plays set for tonight.
New Jersey Devils @ New York Rangers
The Devils have been playing good for the entire second half of the season and although they have lost their last 2 games I like their chance tonight in New York. The Rangers have looked like a fairly average team over the past couple weeks and the fact that the Devils have a strong 19-10-1 record on the road makes taking them at +158 a smart bet.
Play: Devils +158 (5Dimes.com)
Los Angeles Kings @ Nashville Predators
The Kings were finally able to get a win the other night with a 4-0 victory over the Blackhawks, but tonight they head into Nashville against a Preds team that has shown they are willing to go for the Cup this season. Nashville is 20-7-5 at home this season and the Kings are 12-9-8 on the road. The Kings simply aren’t that good of a team and I don’t expect them to make the playoffs this season. The Predators should win this game at home.
Play: Predators -135 (5Dimes.com)
Written by: Niko de Jonge
I got a shootout win to make up for all those losses I had a few days ago. The Sabres came through in a shootout and the Stars dominated the Wild as expected. My season record to date is now (115-125) for -6.27 units. It’s a big Saturday like usual in the NHL tonight so I’m hoping to get back closer to breaking even and keep the good week going.
Tampa Bay Lightning @ Pittsburgh Penguins
At +222 how can you not take Stamkos and the Lightning heading into Pittsburgh. Sure they have been bad on the road, but they showed something coming back in Winnipeg and they need this win. I had to take a double take to see +222.
Play: Lightning +222 (5Dimes.com)
Phoenix Coyotes @ Edmonton Oilers
The Coyotes are a better team and they have been playing great hockey. It will be a tough win against a Oilers team that has been decent at home, but they will pull it out.
Play: Coyotes -106 (5Dimes.com)
Florida Panthers @ Carolina Hurricanes
The Panthers have collapsed, while the Hurricanes have found their game.
Play: Hurricanes -110 (5Dimes.com)
Boston Bruins @ Ottawa Senators
The Bruins played last night and haven’t been doing well of late. They head into Ottawa to take on a hot Senators team that has decided to let Alex Auld redeem himself. I expect him to do just that.
Play: Senators +106 (5Dimes.com)
Chicago Blackhawks @ LA Kings
The Blackhawks were on a bit of a tear before losing in Dallas, but I expect them to get back in the win column in LA.
Play: Blackhawks +111 (BetOnline.com)
Written by: Niko de Jonge
Last night was another tough one for my predictions. Both of my slight favorites were leading their games late before losing in shootouts. But that’s the way she goes, hopefully I’ll be on the right end of the shootouts next time. Tonight has 6 games on tap, which is pretty busy for a Friday night so let’s win some money.
Boston Bruins @ Buffalo Sabres
The Boston Bruins are coming off a big win in St. Louis, a town where it has been very difficult to get wins this season and they were able to put up 4 goals against the leagues best defense. Does this mean they are out of their funk and ready to play the hockey that made them the #1 contender for the Cup about a month ago. I’m not so sure. Heading into Buffalo we will see which Bruins team shows up. The Sabres have been playing decent hockey of late and are not completely out of the playoff picture just yet sitting only 6 points back of the Leafs (the team that has 8th highest points per game) with 1 game in hand. They’ve won 2 in a row and have a very important road trip after this game that could seal their fate. Buffalo really should already be out of it, but the Leafs, Panthers and Caps not being able to win games has given lower teams hope of the playoffs and I expect the Sabres to grasp this hope and play a big game tonight leading into their road trip. Buffalo has played Boston at home twice so far this season winning the first most recent game 6-2 and losing the previous in a shootout. At +130 odds I like the Sabres in this one as they start to get healthy heading down the stretch.
Play: Sabres +130 (SportsInteraction.com)
Minnesota Wild @ Dallas Stars
The Wild won last night in Florida in a shootout, but the Panthers have been struggling mightily of late so I’m not giving the Wild too much props for that one. Minnesota was 1st in the NHL on December 10th and since then the Wild have won only 7 of 30 games! This team was overachieving hard but have regressed and they are showing their true colours of being one of the worst teams in the league. The Stars should pull this one out and move into sole possession of 8th in the West.
Play: Stars -155 (5Dimes.com)
Written by: Niko de Jonge
St. Louis lost a tough one last night after outplaying the Bruins at home. Boston was able to score on their chances against Brian Elliot and that was the difference in the game. The season record now sits at (113-122) for -6.15 units. Thursday isn’t quite as busy as normal in the NHL, but there are 6 games on tap so that is more than enough to find some sharp plays.
St. Louis Blues @ Nashville Predators
The Blues lost a hard fought battle against the Bruins last night and they are right back at it tonight in Nashville. The Blues have now lost their last two games, albeit against strong teams, but they have also lost 4 of their last 6 road games and 4 out of 5 of their most recent second of back-to-back night outings. The Preds on the other hand are fresh having defeated the Canucks at home two nights ago and they have won 8 of their last 9 at home. I like the Predators in this one.
Play: Predators -124 (BetOnline.com)
Vancouver Canucks @ Detroit Red Wings
The Canucks are in town to try to prevent the Red Wings home winning streak from hitting 24 in their home winning streak. Both teams have been playing great hockey and the Canucks have been very solid on the road this season (20-10-2), but the Wings are playing crazy hockey in front of their home fans and you have to expect that to continue until they lose one. Detroit leads the season series against the Canucks 2-1 and the Canucks are in the middle of a long road trip. Also, whenever I look at the Canucks I have to think that their record is a little bit bloated due to the fact they are in the easiest division in the league. I like the Red Wings as only slight favorites in this one.
Play: Red Wings -118 (5Dimes.com)
If you put a $10 parlay on these two plays you would be in line for a $33.38 payout if both plays hit. With Proline you would only be able to get $24.80 and that would be if they even allowed two team parlays (which they do not). Once again a recommendation to stay away from Proline. For more Proline Tips, or more accurately reasons not to bet with Proline, check out that link.
Written by: Niko de Jonge
Last night was a big night for me and I think it is a sign of things to come as the NHL season draws to a close over the next month and a half. I went 4-0 for +4.93 units, which brings my season record to (113-121) for -4.97 units. There are only 3 games in the NHL tonight, but I intend to keep my hot streak going with one play tonight.
Boston Bruins @ St. Louis Blues
The Bruins have not looked like the team that dominated the NHL for a good two months over the past several games. They have only won only 12 of their 24 games since the Christmas break and only 4 of their last 6. Tonight they head into St. Louis to take on a Blues team that is continuing to clip along having gone 7-3-0 in their last ten. They are also 26-3-4 at home this season and 12-0-2 against Easter Conference competition. The Blues are one of the most underrated teams in the NHL and this line shows that as they are only slight favorites in this one. Expect a Blues win tonight.
Play: Blues -118 (5Dimes.com)
To find NHL odds on other games I suggest you visit 5Dimes.com and open an account because they offer the best odds for either outcome about 75% of the time.
Written by: Niko de Jonge
After a few days break I’m back with some more NHL predictions. The season record currently sits at (109-121) for -9.90 units.
New Jersey Devils @ Toronto Maple Leafs
The Devils have been playing extremely well for the past month having won 8 of their last 10 games and I don’t expect this trend to stop against a Maple Leafs team that has lost 5 of their last 6 outings. The good thing for the Maple Leafs is that they are still in the thick of the playoff race in the East after these losses thanks to the Capitals and Panthers not winning many games lately either. Brodeur is set to battle Gustavsson in this one and at even odds you have to go with the hot hand in this one.
Play: Devils -105 (5Dimes.com)
San Jose Sharks @ Columbus Blue Jackets
The Sharks have dropped the ball of late losing their last 3 games and 6 of their last 8. They will continue their huge road trip in Columbus tonight, which could be the remedy for their current struggles, but I’m not so sure. Columbus has been by far the worst team in the league this season, but they’ve won 4 of their last 8 and the Sharks have been sub par on the road all season. This is a great time to take the Blue Jackets as huge underdogs and get a good return.
Play: Blue Jackets +165 (SportsInteraction.com)
Dallas Stars @ Montreal Canadiens
The Stars are battling for a playoff spot and travel to Montreal where the Habs have been 11-13-8 this season (winning just over 1 in 3 games). Dallas has been having trouble scoring lately, but I think this game will be another low scoring one that could sway either way. For that reason I like the Stars as underdogs against a team that finds it hard to win at home.
Play: Stars +128 (5Dimes.com)
Los Angeles Kings @ Phoenix Coyotes
These two teams get back at it after a few games break from each other. The Coyotes won the last game between the two 1-0 and then the Kings proceeded to get shutout 1-0 again a few days later by the Flames. This is a huge game for the playoff picture in the Western Conference and I’m surprised that the Coyotes are not bigger favorites considering how they are playing and the fact that they are the home team. LA is 12-8-7 on the road, while Phoenix is 15-10-4 at home, but the Coyotes have won their last 5 home games and have gone 8-1-1 in their last ten.
Play: Coyotes -110 (5Dimes.com)
Written by: Niko de Jonge
The Blackhawks woke up last night against arguably the top team in the league and took a quick 4-0 lead on the Rangers and held on for a 4-2 win, which cost me 1.5 units. The Coyotes were able to shut down the offensive-less Kings last night though, so the night ended 1-1 for -0.27 units. The season record now sits at (109-120) for -8.75 units.
San Jose Sharks @ Carolina Hurricanes
The Sharks lost a barn burner last night in Tampa Bay, but they get right back on the horse tonight against the team with the worst record in the Eastern Conference. Coach McLellan didn’t pull any punches when discussing his teams performance last night and I expect a bounce back game tonight for a group that is one of the best in the league. The Hurricanes have been playing pretty average hockey of late, but I don’t expect them to be enough for a Sharks team that has found it’s scoring touch and will be extra responsible on defense tonight.
Play: Sharks -115 (5Dimes.com)
Written by: Niko de Jonge
The Senators kept their stellar play with their father’s in the stands alive with a big 6-2 victory last night, but the Oilers lost a tough one in overtime, which meant I profited a big 0.01 units last night. The season record to date now sits at (108-119) for -8.48 units.
Chicago Blackhawks @ New York Rangers
The Blackhawks are currently on an 8 game losing skid and heading to play the top team in the league (according to points per game played) will likely not help their cause. The Rangers are also currently riding a 4 game winning streak, and these wins have been over some talented teams (Bruins, Capitals, Flyers). Even with their 8 game losing streak the Blackhawks are always expected to be a tough team, which is why the Rangers are only -150 favourites in this one. The team has just been playing too well and hosting the team that is struggling the most in the league at the present time shouldn’t present too much of a challenge.
Play: Rangers -150 (SportsInteraction.com)
Phoenix Coyotes @ Los Angeles Kings
The Coyotes were on a 5 game winning streak before losing in Vancouver in overtime on Monday. The quality of play is still there and I expect the Coyotes to bring their A-game into this very important match up with the Kings. LA is back home after a 6 game road trip that saw them pick up 5 points. The winner of this game will be sitting in 7th spot in the Western Conference, which shows the importance of this game. I feel the Coyotes have been playing better hockey of late than the Kings and as slight underdogs they are the smart pick tonight.
Play: Coyotes +123 (5Dimes.com)
Written by: Niko de Jonge
