With the light day, we run with a quick hitter before heading out the door on Pick The Winner….
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Toronto Maple Leafs @ Pittsburgh Penguins – PENGUINS -1.5 [Puck Line Play] (+150)
(Note: I’m risking 1 unit to win 1.50 units)
The Leafs lost last night at home 5-4 to the Bruins, which marks their 11th lost in 13 games. Throughout those 13 games the Leafs have had a ton of struggles keeping the puck out of their net, which has bumped their overall goals against to 3.08 per game. Over their last 5 games the Leafs are allowing 4 goals against per game. That isn’t good news for a team who is facing the Pittsburgh Penguins who are averaging 4.60 goals per game over their last 5. The Penguins have won 6 straight games heading into tonight’s game, including 4 games that were by at least 2 goals. The Maple Leafs are 30-29-7 on the season, while the Penguins are 39-21-5 overall and a solid 21-8-2 on home ice. If you look at the Leafs recent big slump you will notice that their only two wins have come against the 2nd and 3rd worst teams in the NHL.
To make matters worse for the Maple Leafs they will most likely be without one of their best scoring forwards in Joffrey Lupul and Colby Armstrong is also doubtful. James Reimer is expected to get the nod tonight, and he has allowed less than 3 goals just once in his last 8 starts, which hasn’t helped his 3.07 GAA and .899 SV%. Fleury should be in net for Pittsburgh and he has been great lately allowing 1 or less goals in 4 of his last 5 starts, which includes a shutout. Tonight we get one of the NHL’s best teams at home versus a heavily struggling Maple Leafs that is now facing some more injury troubles. I like the Penguins to win by a couple tonight and like the value we have at +150. Take the Pens by 2 or more.
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Good luck and may you win some money tonight…..
