It is time to pony up and play Pick The Winner on a busy Tuesday Night….here are just a few of our picks. Thanks to Kevin from NHL Predictions for all of his input and numbers as always….
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Boston Bruins @ Washington Capitals – BRUINS -1.5 [Puck Line] (+175)
(Note: I’m risking 1 unit to win 1.75 units)
**For those that don’t know – Bruins -1.5 is a puck line bet, which means the Bruins must win by 2 goals or more for us to win the bet. This may be called a spread or handicap bet at the sports betting site you use**
The Boston Bruins beat the Flyers in Philadelphia on Sunday 6-5 in shootout, which was a huge Eastern Conference game. The Bruins have won 5 of their last 8 games making them 31-13-2 on the season (great record for having a rough start to the season). The Bruins don’t mind playing away from home as they are 15-6 on the road. Washington lost in overtime in Pittsburgh on Sunday and have now dropped 3 of their last 4 games. To make things worse for the Caps they are without Alexander Ovechkin for 3 games, as he was suspended for a high hit. Take note that the Bruins average 3.57 goals per game on the road, while giving up just 2.19 against. T he Bruins are averaging 3.5 goals per game on the season. The Capitals are averaging just 1.60 goals per game over their last 5, and without Ovechkin, Backstrom and Green I expect more troubles scoring against a tough defensive Bruins team.
These two teams have yet to play each other this season but the Bruins took 3 of 4 meetings last season. Note that 9 of the Bruins 15 wins on the road have come by two goals or more. Also note that the Capitals are just 1-5 in their last 6 vs a team with a winning % above .600. The Bruins will definitely be getting up for this game against the Capitals, and with Washington not scoring many goals lately I love the value on the road team puck line at +175.
Winnipeg Jets @ New York Rangers – UNDER 5.5 GOALS (-149)
(Note: I’m risking 1.49 units to win 1 unit)
Most sportsbooks will allow you to buy this game back to a total of 5.5 which I have done. If you don’t have the option I do still like the UNDER 5 at +110 or better. Despite out playing the Canes, the Jets lost 2-1 last night which was their 6th loss in their last 8 games. The Jets are averaging just 1.70 goals per game over their last 10, and just 2.5 goals per game on the season (2.33 on the road). Winnipeg is just 7-13-4 on the road this season. The Rangers enter tonight’s off a 3-2 overtime win in Boston on Saturday. New York has won 8 of their last 11 games. The Rangers averaging 2.80 goals per game this season, and allowing just 2.02 goals against per game.
Also note that they have gone 13 games without seeing a total higher 5. The UNDER is 11-3-8 in the Rangers last 22 overall and 4-0-2 in their last 6 home games. The UNDER is also 13-4 in the Jets last 17 overall and 8-3 in their last 11 games as an underdog. The UNDER is 5-0 in their last 5 meetings overall and 7-2 in their last 9 meetings in New York. Take the UNDER in this one.
Anaheim Ducks @ Dallas Stars – DUCKS TO WIN (+103)
(Note: I’m risking 1 unit to win 1.03 units)
The Anaheim Ducks have been playing great hockey winning 8 of their last 9 games, none of which needed overtime or shootout. During that span of 9 games the Ducks have been averaging 4 goals per game. On the other hand the Stars have dropped 5 straight and 6 of 7 with their most recent 5-2 loss against the struggling Wild. Dallas is scoring just 1.20 goals per game over their last 5, and that won’t get things done for them. Bad news for a team struggling to score is facing a goalie like Honas Hiller who has won 5 straight starts and has allowed just 8 goals against in his last 6 starts.
Dallas is just 1-4 in their last 5 home games after a good start to the season on home ice. Dallas has taken 2 of these two teams 3 meetings this season, but Anaheim won the latest on January 10th by a sore of 5-2. Tonight’s game comes down to the Ducks playing very solid hockey right now, and the Stars struggling. Dallas will have troubles getting anything by Hiller and the Ducks should provide enough offense to pull of the upset tonight. Take the Ducks.
San Jose Sharks @ Calgary Flames – FLAMES TO WIN (+100)
(Note: I’m risking 1 unit to win 1 unit)
The Sharks have lost three straight games of 4 of their last 5, which includes a 2-1 shootout loss in Edmonton last night. The Sharks heavily outplayed the Oilers (outshooting them 45-18) but couldn’t get anything past Dubnyk. It is going to be tough for the Sharks to come back with the same effort again tonight. The Flames won two straight road games, and have won 5 of their last 7 overall (getting points in 6 of those 7). Although Calgary is scoring just 2 goals per game over their last 5 they are geting great goaltending from Kiprusoff and are averaging just 1.60 goals against per game over that same span. Kiprusoff has allowed just 7 goals against over his last 5 starts where he is 3-1-1.
Take note that the Flames are 13-6-2 at home this season and are 8-1 in their last 9 home games. The Flames are also 5-0 in their last 5 home games vs a team with a winning road record and 8-3 in their last 11 vs Western Conference opponents. Although San Jose does ok on 0 days rest, you can note that they are 1-6 in their last 7 games when they went to OT the previous day. The Sharks are 2-2 on the road this season with 0 days rest, but 0-2 in their last 2. The Sharks won the first meeting between these two teams in San Jose via a shootout just a week ago and I think the Flames will get things done this time at home.
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Good luck and remember to get those picks in. Also all six unders hit last night but expect a bit more of an even spread tonight. The law of averages will catch up hockey bettors.
