The second night back in the NHL is also a big one with a lot of teams playing their second game in two nights. Last night I went 1 for 3 and the season record to date now sits at (94-102) for -5 units. Let’s turn this around tonight!
New York Rangers @ Buffalo Sabres
New York played a solid game last night in New Jersey before giving up a late goal that tied the game and losing in a shootout. The Rangers will be ready to go in this game and Lundqvist is back in net after Biron played last night. Buffalo also played last night, winning in Montreal, 3-1. I expect the Rangers to not be happy with their performance last night and they will be ready to go tonight to get the taste of defeat out of their mouths. The Sabres are still a team that is struggling and their win over a weak Habs team shouldn’t imply that they are turning their season around.
Play: Rangers -140 (5Dimes.com)
Washington Capitals @ Florida Panthers
The Caps lost a tight battle with the Lightning last night and now travel to Sunrise to take on the Florida Panthers. The Panthers have not played in over a week and for this reason I do not believe that the Caps will be more fatigued than the Panthers are rusty. These two teams are battling hard for the top spot in the southeast division so this is a very important game and I expect the best team to dig deep and pull out a win. The best team is the Washington Capitals, even without star forward Alex Ovechkin. In fact I think the Caps could be an even better team without him.
Play: Capitals +130 (5Dimes.com)
If you made these selections as ProLine picks the odds would have been -153 for the Capitals and -181 for the Rangers, plus these plays would have lost if the team won in a shootout! Never bet on ProLine if you hope to make money betting on the NHL.
Written by: Niko de Jonge
All Star Weekend was a lot of fun, especially for me living here in Ottawa, but I am happy to get back to picking winners and see the last third of the season play out. Heading into the break I didn’t have the greatest last day going 1-3 with a shootout loss and a couple of one goal losses with my teams dominating the action. This will hopefully all even out in the end and I hope to put together a nice streak here heading out of the break. My season record to date is (93-100) for -4.00 units.
New York Islanders @ Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes are at home to the Islanders tonight and Carolina has been a decent team at home this season and before the break they were playing some solid hockey. Kevin Poulin is in net for the Islanders and he is 0-2 this season. Expect the ‘Canes to take this one at home.
Play: Hurricanes -120 (5Dimes.com)
Detroit Red Wings @ Calgary Flames
The Red Wings have had trouble on the road all season and this fact was on full display with their 7-2 loss in Montreal heading into the All Star break. The Flames have been solid at home all season (13-7-2) and at +135 odds the smart money is on the Flames. Especially considering the Red Wings are actually a losing team on the road this season.
Play: Flames +135 (SportsInteraction.com)
New York Rangers @ New Jersey Devils
The Devils had no representation at the All Star game, but this may not be a bad thing heading into this game against the Rangers. The Devils will be completely fresh, while the Rangers had several players at the festivities. Biron has had a tremendous year and he is in goal for the Rangers tonight, but I still like the Devils at home in this one, especially as underdogs.
Play: Devils +120 (SportsInteraction.com)
Written by: Niko de Jonge
Last night did not go very well, with both of our games costing us a unit each. The season record is now (92-97) for -1.41 units. Tonight is the basically last full night before the players take the weekend off for the all star game (there is 1 game tomorrow) and it’s a big night with 26 teams in action! The goal is to get back into the black prior to all star game weekend!
Buffalo Sabres @ New Jersey Devils
The Sabres have been on a long road trip and it has not been kind to their record. Buffalo has lost 5 in a row and they have actually lost their last 12 road games in regulation! This is a complete fade on the Sabres because even though the Devils have not been playing their best hockey over the last few games I still expect them to win an easy one in New Jersey tonight.
Play: Devils -159 (5Dimes.com)
Philadelphia Flyers @ Florida Panthers
The Flyers have been great on the road this season with a 17-7-2 record, compared to the Panthers home record of 11-5-6. Both of these teams are fresh and seeing as it is the last game leading into the all star break both teams will be leaving it all on the ice. When each of these teams play their best hockey the Flyers are in a class above the Panthers and I expect this to show through tonight.
Play: Flyers -109 (5Dimes.com)
Ottawa Senators @ Phoenix Coyotes
The Senators lost a tough one in Los Angeles last night and now travel to Phoenix to finish up their long road trip prior to the All Star Game in their home town. Before their last two losses the Sens were ripping up the league and I expect them to dig deep tonight and find a way to win. The Senators have also won their last 3 games on the second of back to back nights, so this young team can find the energy to pick up points. The Coyotes have only won 3 of their last 15 games, so they are by no means on the top of their game, which makes this the perfect game for the Senators to finish up their road trip.
Play: Senators +125 (5Dimes.com)
Anaheim Ducks @ Dallas Stars
The Ducks have been on a role and although most of their 5 game winning streak has come at home, they have shown the ability to win on the road when playing at this level. The Stars have lost their last 5 games and I expect both streaks to continue tonight.
Play: Ducks +102 (BetOnline.com)
Written by: Niko de Jonge
I took last night off, but on Saturday I went 1 for 3, for a loss of 1 unit. That loss brings my season record to (92-95) for +0.59 units. Tonight there are a few games and I see two plays I like to push my units of profit back up.
New York Islanders @ Toronto Maple Leafs
The Islanders have been playing very good hockey and are on a 3 game winning streak at the current time. Two of these wins include road victories over the Capitals and Flyers, two very solid teams. The Maple Leafs have only won 1 of their last 5 games and find themselves sitting outside of the playoffs at the current time in the Eastern Conference. I expect Tavares, who has been playing great hockey, to lead his team over the Maple Leafs in Toronto tonight.
Play: Islanders +130 (SportsInteraction.com)
Ottawa Senators @ Los Angeles Kings
The Senators have not lost two games in a row since before the Christmas break and I don’t expect them to start now against a Kings team that has lost their last 2 home games against weak opposition (Flames and Avs). The Kings are still having a tough time scoring and with Craig Anderson back in net once again for the Senators I expect them to continue this trend tonight. I like the Senators in this one as small underdogs on the road.
Play: Senators +120 (5Dimes.com)
Written by: Niko de Jonge
I’m a little late on the post today because I had some hockey of my own to play this morning. Now onto the massive list of NHL games we have on tap tonight. Last night we went 1 and 1 thanks to Malkin bringing the Pens back into the game against the Habs. My season record now sits at (91-93) for +1.59 units.
San Jose Sharks @ Vancouver Canucks
I expect the Sharks to bounce back in this game in Vancouver against a team they know is one of the best in the league. I like the odds of +143 so I’m taking the Sharks.
Play: Sharks +143 (5Dimes.com)
Carolina Hurricanes @ New York Islanders
The ‘Canes pulled out a big win last night against the Caps, but I expect them to be tired today against a Islanders team that has been playing well of late.
Play: Islanders -135 (5Dimes.com)
Dallas Stars @ Minnesota Wild
The Wild are still missing Mikko Koivu who is the glue that gives this team a chance to win every night. Without him they have a very slim chance of victory. I expect the Stars to take this one easily.
Play: Stars +110 (SportsInteraction.com)
Written by: Niko de Jonge
I wasn’t able to get a post up yesterday on a busy Thursday night in the NHL, but my pick from Wednesday did go as planned so the season record now sits at (90-92) for +1.64 units. There are four games in the NHL tonight, before a huge Saturday that has 14 games set to take place.
Montreal Canadiens @ Pittsburgh Penguins
The Habs are basically out of the playoff race at the moment and although they haven’t been playing horrible hockey the Penguins have been playing extremely well winning their last four games with Malkin dominating the opposition. The Pens have outscored their opponents 16-6 in the last 4 games (I included a shootout win as a goal). The Pens aren’t massive favourites tonight because they are playing their second of back to back games, but the Habs have confirmed Budaj in net tonight, which should help the Penguins chances.
Play: Penguins -155 (5Dimes.com)
Washington Capitals @ Carolina Hurricanes
The Caps have finally been playing solid hockey winning 7 of their last 10 games and shooting to their rightful spot at the top of the southeast division. Tonight they face one of the worst teams in the league, but because of their below average road record the Caps find themselves in a pick’em game with the Hurricanes. I expect the Capitals to win this game with ease and continue to play good hockey. Who knows maybe Ovechkin will even find the score sheet.
Play: Capitals -105 (BetOnline.com)
Written by: Niko de Jonge
The Islanders pulled off a big upset over the Capitals last night, which really hurt my plays. The Blue Jackets won as predicted, while the Stars lost in a shootout. Shootout losses are always tough to swallow, but they should even themselves out over time so let’s get back on track and win some plays tonight. The season record now sits at (89-92) for +0.64 units.
Phoenix Coyotes @ Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks top line of Getzlaf, Ryan and Perry are finally starting to produce at the rate we expect of them and this has allowed Anaheim to put together a fairly decent record of late, winning 5 of their last 6, scoring 25 goals in that span (includes a game they got shutout). The Ducks have always been a much better team at home and I expect the big guns to continue clicking tonight against a Coyotes team that hasn’t played up to expectations over the last several games. Phoenix has lost their last 5 road games and they should lose this one as well, before returning to Phoenix for a lengthy home stand.
Play: Ducks -125 (5Dimes.com)
Written by: Niko de Jonge
The Predators scored early and often last night to build up a quick 3 goal lead in the first period and they never looked back. That win brings my season record up to (88-90) for +2.34 units. Tonight is a big night in the NHL with 11 games on tap, so let’s make us some money betting on the NHL tonight!
Edmonton Oilers @ Columbus Blue Jackets
Here we have a battle of two of the worst teams in the league. The Oilers have won 2 in their last 10, while the Blue Jackets have won 3 in their last 10. Both teams are out of the playoff picture and don’t have the talent to make a push in the second half of the season. Columbus hasn’t played since Saturday and this extra day of rest over the Oilers could play a factor tonight as the teams head towards the All Star break. The Oilers have gone 6-16-1 on the road this season, while the Blue Jackets record of 7-12-3 at home isn’t much better. The Oilers are still without their top offensive player in Jordan Eberle though and they have had trouble scoring goals with only 4 goals for in their last 4 games. This will be the difference with the Blue Jackets able to put a couple extra pucks in the net tonight.
Play: Blue Jackets -120 (5Dimes.com)
New York Islanders @ Washington Capitals
The Islanders played last night and lost at home to the Predators. Tonight they travel to Washington to take on a Capitals team that has won 3 in a row and is in a battle for a playoff spot in the East. The Caps have won their last 7 home games and have a 17-5-1 record at home this season. I don’t expect the lowly Islanders to break the Caps home winning streak tonight.
Play: Capitals -170 (5Dimes.com)
Detroit Red Wings @ Dallas Stars
The Red Wings destroyed the Sabres in Detroit last night and today they travel to Dallas to take on the Stars who are also playing their second game in two nights. The Red Wings have been unbelievable at home this season, but their road record of 11-13-0 is not up to par with their talent. The Stars have been strong at home with a 13-8-1 record and although Dallas has not been playing their best hockey of the season I think the home ice advantage against the Red Wings is enough to garner a bet at the +145 odds.
Play: Stars +145 (SportsInteraction.com)
Written by: Niko de Jonge
I wasn’t able to get a post up yesterday, but on Saturday the Senators and Rangers both came through with big wins bringing my season record back into the black. The season record now sits at (87-90) for +1.34 units.
Nashville Predators @ New York Islanders
The Predators are riding a 4 game winning streak into Long Island tonight and the Preds have won 7 of their last 8 games. The Islanders haven’t been playing poorly, but the Preds are a class above the Isles and should win this game the majority of the time. The Islanders have confirmed that they are starting rookie goaltender who lost his one previous game this season allowing 3 goals against on 29 shots back in December. I expect the Predators, who are in the thick of the playoff race in the West to outplay the Islanders and add another win to their current streak.
Play: Predators -113 (5Dimes.com)
Written by: Niko de Jonge
I had another tough night yesterday and I have once again dropped down below breaking even. I went 0-2 last night and lost 2.13 units, which brings the season record to (85-90) for -0.66 units. Let’s have a big Saturday and get back above 0.
New York Rangers @ Toronto Maple Leafs
The Rangers are coming off a loss to the Ottawa Senators on Thursday. I expect the Rangers to bounce back tonight in Toronto. New York controlled most of the game with the Senators, but ran into a hot goaltender and a team that has been finding ways to win. New York has a ton of character and I expect Tortorella will have his team ready to go all out against a Toronto team that lost a tough one in Buffalo last night. Biron is starting for the Rangers, which is why they aren’t as big of favourites, but Biron has an 8-2-0 record and he is no slouch.
Play: Rangers -130 (SportsInteraction.com)
Ottawa Senators @ Montreal Canadiens
The Sens are basically unstoppable right now. That being said the Canadiens are actually playing decent hockey. They lost their last two games against top teams in league (Blues and Bruins) and this trade of Cammalleri could fire them up. That said the Anderson is confirmed in net for the Senators and he has been on top of his game. The Sens know the importance of these points against weaker teams and they will come out firing in this one. Especially because of the 6-2 embarrassing defeat they suffered at the hands of the Habs a couple weeks ago (the Sens only regulation loss in 13 games).
Play: Senators +100 (5Dimes.com)
Written by: Niko de Jonge
