New York Islanders over Detroit Red Wings 1st 60 Minutes ONLY: NYI are on a playoff drive after everyone figured they were dead and buried. They have terrible home support they fired their coach released Halak and turned the net over to Greiss. NYI are 6-1 last 7 Det has lost 5 in a row. We get a med adv in net with Greiss save % 928 going up against Mrazek at 894. Lastly NYI have played the 5th toughest schedule while Det comes in at 20 making the gap between these teams even wider. I have this game at 1.18 giving us excellent value.
Minnesota Wild over Calgary Flames 1st 60 Minutes ONLY: Minn played last night in Edm and won 5-2 that is actually an advantage coming off the all-star break. Minn is 4-2 on zero days rest and are 8-2 in their last 10. Cal has not played in a week. Generally teams off that long a break are sluggish first time out. It is not like they are in good form anyway. Cal is 3-7 in their last 10. Lastly we get a large adv in net with Dubnyk who did not play last night save % 936 vs. likely Elliot at 892. I have this game at 1.29 giving us excellent value.
Ottawa Senators over Calgary Flames 1st 60 Minutes ONLY: This is the last night of games in the NHL before the all-star break. This break cannot come quickly enough for Cal. Coach is ragging on the team they have lost 4 in a row and are 3-7 in their last 10. There is talent on this team but combine bad chemistry with a new coach and weak goaltending you get a team at crossroads. Condon has been a savior for Ott with Anderson out. Condon comes in with a 918 save % and has a substantial advantage over Elliott sitting at 891.
Chicago Blackhawks over Tampa Bay Lightning 1st 60 Minutes ONLY: Tb will pay game 5 of a long 6 game road trip. Tb is 2-8 in their last 10. Injuries inconsistent play and a disappointing year describe Tb. Chic is 7-2 in their last 10 and are rounding into form as yet another year to be a cup contender. Chic has done an excellent job this year given the salary cap of introducing some very talented young players that are making major contributions. I have this game at 1.72 giving us excellent value.
Washington Capitals over Dallas Stars 1st 60 Minutes ONLY: Again we get a favorable line because the back up Grubauer will go tonight. No he is not as good as Holtby but he does come in with a 927 save % and he is better than Lehtonen sitting at 902 added by the very weak Dall defense. Wash has scored 5 or more goals in 5 straight games. Wash is well aware that they have had horrible results in Dall however that is irrelevant overall and it has already been factored in the line. Dall is 4-11 vs. top 10 teams. Wash is 10-0-2 in their last 12.
Chicago Blackhawks over Boston Bruins 1st 60 Minutes ONLY: Chic has just as good a chance of winning this game as Bost. Therefore at this return we get outstanding value. Part of the reason for this line Darling with get the start over Crawford. Crawford has been struggling Darling has a better save % than Rask or Crawford. So for us this is a positive not a negative. Bost is not in good form trade rumors and the firing of Julien are swirling all over the club. Bost is 3-11 vs. Top 10 teams.
Washington Capitals over Montreal Canadiens 1st 60 Minutes ONLY: Wash has won 5 in a row. Although Price gets all the publicity and rightfully so Holtby is also having an excellent year and has 2 shutouts in a row. Mtl just finished a 7 game road trip and have not played at home since Dec 22. I usually do not mention injuries because they are already accounted for in the line in all sports. However when there are cluster injuries and it really tests the depth those often because they are not high profile names to not get accurately accounted for.
Vancouver Canucks over Arizona Coyotes: Very under the radar Vanc is 13-6-2 at home. They have won 4 in a row incl wins against La Edm and Ana. They take a huge step down in class tonight. Ariz has not played since New Year’s Eve. That is a long layoff for a hockey team. Generally teams come out flat in that situation. Rust vs. rest. Ariz has lost 7 in a row scoring a total of 13 goals in those games. Change the name Vanc put NYR on the front and this line would be well over 2.00. I have this game at 1.72 giving us excellent value.
San Jose Sharks over Los Angeles Kings 1st 60 Minutes ONLY: Sj played last night however they had 2 days off prior. They were at home beat Phil 2-0 short trip to LA. Sj is 4-1 on zero days rest. La is 4-8 vs. topm 10 teams. Sj have won 4 in a row and 8-2 in their last 10. La returns home from a epic road trip 9 games where they went 3-4-2. La has not played a home game since Dec 10th. I have this game at 1.20 giving us excellent value.
Calgary Flames over Tampa Bay Lightning 1st 60 minutes ONLY: The market continues to overrate TB especially without Stamkos. TB is 2-8 in their last 10. The market also continues to underrate Cal. Cal was turning the corner before Johnny hockey came back. Johnson has supplanted Elliot as the #1 goalie. Cal got off to a slow start but that is a thing of the past. Cal gas won 6 in a row and 8-2 in their last 10. I have this game at 1.55 giving us excellent value.