Sometimes the world mashes up fantasy hockey and betting in a way that works for everyone. Thanks to Kevin from NHL Predictions and some careful research, we bring you both today. Here we go….
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PICK THE WINNER:
Montreal Canadiens @ Boston Bruins – BRUINS TO WIN IN REGULATION (-119)
**I know some people will ask what this means (this is my second regulation play this season). Depending which sportsbook you use it will either be listed as “(1st 60 minutes)” or “NHL Regulation Time”. 5Dimes has it listed with the other selections (no reduced juice), Pinnacle you have to choose regulation time in the NHL menu, and SportsInteraction you have to click “more betting” on the game and you’ll see regulation time.**
The Montreal Canadiens come into tonight’s game with just 3 wins in their last 11 games, and as a result their head coach was fired before Saturday nights game. They’ve dropped two straight games, both at home, against the Devils and Flyers. On the season Montreal is now just 13-13-7. Boston has won four straight heading into tonight, including a big 6-0 win in Philadelphia Saturday afternoon. Boston is 21-9-1 on the year, and 11-6-1 at home this season. The Bruins continue to get great goaltending from both of their goalies, and are allowing just 1.94 goals against per game (Montreal is allowing 2.55 goals per game).
The Bruins are also scoring almost a goal per game higher than the Habs at 3.4 per game, compared to the Habs who are averaging 2.5 per game. Montreal took the first two meetings between these two teams, but Boston won the latest meeting 1-0 in Montreal. Note that the Canadiens are just 1-8 in their last 9 games as an underdog. Boston is 15-2 in their last 17 games following a win. Not much is going right for the Canadiens, and the Bruins are rolling again winning 4 straight. These two teams have a big rivalry and usually play tight games, but tonight I expect the Bruins to kick the Canadiens while they’re down. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them win this one by a couple goals, but we will take Bruins in regulation.
Anaheim Ducks @ Dallas Stars – STARS TO WIN (-140)
Although Anaheim has struggled all season, their biggest struggles have come away from home. The Ducks are just 2-9-4 on the road this season and haven’t won a road game since October 27th. The Ducks are on a 5 game road trip and have lost their first two games 4-1 in Chicago and 5-3 in Winnipeg. The Ducks are just 9-18-5 on the season. Dallas returns home after taking 3 of 5 games on their road trip, and enjoyed two days off after Friday’s loss in New Jersey. The Stars are 9-4-1 on home ice and 18-12-1 on the season. Richard Bachman has stepped in for 4 starts with Lehtonen out and has gone 3-1 with a 2.08 GAA and .931 SV%. Before allowing 6 goals against on Friday, Bachman had allowed just 3 in his previous 3 starts.
The Ducks are averaging just 1.73 goals per game on the road, while the Stars are scoring just less than 3 per game at home. Note that the Ducks have just 5 wins in their last 27 games, and are 3-15 in their last 18 games as an underdog. Although Dallas isn’t in the best situation coming home from a 5 game road trip, the Ducks are playing their 4th game in 6 nights. Anaheim is just 1-6 in their last 7 games that are the 4th in 6. Also note that the Stars have gone 19-8-1 in these two teams last 28 meetings in Dallas. One of the better home teams this season hosting one of the NHL’s worst road teams – I’ll take Dallas to get things done at a generous price.
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SCHEDULE TIME:
Monday, December 19, 2011 |
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| Teams | Notes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montreal | at | Boston | 7:00 PM | Gameday | ||
| Los Angeles | at | Toronto | 7:00 PM | Gameday | ||
| Anaheim | at | Dallas | 8:00 PM | Gameday | ||
| Philadelphia | at | Colorado | 9:00 PM | Gameday | ||
| Detroit | at | Edmonton | 9:30 PM | Gameday | ||
| Minnesota | at | Vancouver | 10:00 PM | Gameday | ||
Please note that we did say tonight would be an interesting night because of the five day fantasy hockey week in the NHL. Here is something different to start off the week……
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MY THREE WISHES PLUS ICE CHIPS:
Wish No. 1: A prospect who could flourish in a new place…
Kyle Turris, C, Ottawa Senators: Turris was finally given his escape out of Phoenix and traded to Ottawa for David Rundblad and a 2012 second round pick. Now, definitely neither of these players have lived up to expectations, but the reality is that Turris never had a prayer in Phoenix. His development was iffy to say the least, but with Ottawa, he will have a chance to gradually blend in and move up. Both of these guys are only owned in less than 1 per cent of all Fantasy leagues and can be had for nothing. Turris has more upside than Rundland at least and maybe the pick as well. Ottawa is better suited for Turris and his talents. The Sens will allow him to grow.
Wish No. 2: I just need a few blocks to get me by…
Niklas Hjalmarsson, D, Chicago Blackhawks: In most cases, defensemen (especially the stay at home variety) can only rack up certain categories. Usually the defensive defenseman will help you with ATOI, hits, and blocks. Well, with Hjalmarsson, Two out of Three Ain’t Bad (as Meatloaf would have you believe). Most of your waiver wire has the real heavy ATOI defensemen, but it is hard to ignore a guy that plays 20:05 a night and has 86 blocks in 32 games. If you are just dying — especially with blocks — and need a guy that will boost your totals by about 10 per week, then here is your guy — Signed, Sealed (and) Delivered.
Wish No. 3: I need a goalie who is still available and can get me a few wins here and there…
Sergei Bobrovsky, G, Philadelphia Flyers: Bobrovsky has been pretty consistent for the Flyers all season. Now, while his save percentage is a bit below the .910 league average, think of the defense he plays on. Philadelphia thrives on scoring goals and creating offensive mayhem. Defense is… well… at times optional, honestly. (In fairness, however, who needs a defense when you spend most of the time in the other team’s zone?) Also, the Flyers have had some real clunkers that throw off said numbers (Saturday night was a good example). However for as good as Ilya Bryzgalov can play, he can just bomb out too often for some people’s Fantasy tastes. Having a good handcuff like Bobrovsky that can rack up wins and occasional appearances is a solid idea going forward, especially in Week 11 and beyond.
Ice Chips
- We ranked Boston’s Tim Thomas as the top goalie in the league heading into the season, but he didn’t exactly start out that way, going 3-4 in October with a 2.14 GAA and .929 save percentage (hardly numbers that would make a Fantasy owner squirm, but we’re used to so much more from Thomas recently). Well, the veteran netminder sure has put that start in the rear view mirror, hasn’t he? He went 9-0 in November with a 1.76 GAA and .941 save percentage. In December so far, he’s 3-1 with a 1.51 GAA and .961 save percentage. Yup, he’s back, and really only Brian Elliott of the Blues has been a better goalie than Thomas this season, but if the Bruins’ netminder continues on this trajectory, he will soon be back at the top of the list.
- Speaking of rankings, we pegged Patrick Kane as the ninth-best right winger heading into the season and he’s been pretty much right on par with that, definitely playing at a top 10 level for his position. The thing is, we’d like to see more. Two seasons ago, Kane seemed on the cusp of stardom, but over the last two seasons, he’s been back to merely being a point per game player. He got off to a nice start this month with seven points in the first four games, but has now been shut out in three straight games. In Friday’s win over Anaheim, Kane’s ice time was down and he only had one shot on goal. The first overall pick from 2007 has flirted with being a truly elite player, but has yet to take that plunge. He only turned 23 last month, so there is time, but we sure would like to see him break through into 35-goal, 90-point territory this season, but it’s going to take a big second half for Kane to achieve that.
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Well, that should do it. Tomorrow we will be back with more on the Fantasy Hockey ONE as always. Good luck tonight.
