Written by Scott on Thursday, December 16th, 2021
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Three games yesterday.
The Blackhawks beat the Capitals 5-4 in overtime. Ovechkin scored a powerplay goal which ties him with Dave Andreychuk for most in league history with 274.
The Rangers had to rally late to comeback and beat the Coyotes 3-2. Kakko scored twice for the Rangers.
The final game of the night was the Kraken vs the Ducks and the Ducks won 4-1. Zegras and Terry both scored for Anaheim. It’s really amazing that the Ducks are in 1st place in the Pacific Divsion and tied for 1st in the Western Conference.
A busier night for us tonight with 10 games scheduled. With the NHL reintroducing enhanced Covid 19 restrictions it’s going to make things tougher to predict.
Kings vs Panthers Betting Tips:
I do like the Panthers chances here. The have lost two in a row and got a chance to snap that streak tonight when they are at home. Their last game they got destroyed by the Sens 8-2.
But the Panthers are dealing with Covid issues as 4 players have it at the moment so I’ll pass on this game.
Knights vs Devils Betting Tips:
The Knights should win this game. Pacioretty has been incredible scoring in 7 straight games. He has 12 goals in 11 games played this season.
The Devils are slumping losing 3 straight and going 2-7-1 over their last 10. The also have 2 players on the Covid Protocol.
To get any value here it would need to be a Knights in regulation pick. They haven’t had a game go to extra time since October so if they win in likely will be in regulation.
Knights in regulation
Canada: 1.92 Odds at Sports Interaction
USA: -120 Odds at BetOnline.
Everyone Else: 1.86 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
(Odds correct as of 2021/12/16 9:17:45 AM EST but are subject to change.)
Wings vs Canes Betting Tips:
Canes are slumping for their standards going 5-5 over last 10. They have 6 players with Covid.
The Wings should use that to their advantage as they only have one player with it. But I’m not touching this game.
Flyers vs Canadiens Betting Tips:
The Flyers have won their last 3 games, the Habs have lost 7 straight.
There are 16 players missing between these teams with injuries so nothing I like and no confidence in either team although would lean towards Flyers in regulation.
Senators vs Lightning Betting Tips:
Sens on a rare 2 game win streak. They shutout the Lightning 4-0 and then handled the Panthers 8-2.
Lightning are 7-2-1 over last 10.
With the recent result between these teams and the Lightning being heavy favorites I find it easy to pass on this one.
Bruins vs Islanders Betting Tips:
The Bruins are without Marchand, Bergeron and Smith who are all on the Covid list.
The Isles have been struggling, as they have most of the year, going 2-5-3 in their last 10. Barzal is onnthe Covid protocol.
Too many key players out for this game to make it an easy pass.
Avalanche vs Predators Betting Tips:
The Preds have 5 players on the Covid list. The Avalanche have 1 but Landeskog is out with a lower body injury.
Would lean towards an Avs win but again with so many players on the Covid protocol I am skipping this game.
Sabres vs Wild Betting Tips:
The Wild should win this game as they have won 6 straight home games. To get any value here it would need to be Wild -1.5 but the Wild have had 7 overtime games and 5 others that were settled by a single goal.
Jackets vs Oilers Betting Tips:
The Oilers have lost 6 straight. On paper they should win this game but it’s really hard to back them on this losing skid so an easy pass for me here.
Canucks vs Sharks Betting Tips:
The Canucks have gone a perfect 5-0 under new coach Boudreau but have 4 players on the Covid protocol.
There is value in taking them to win this game with the momentum on their side. But with a chunk of their roster out I’ll instead just skip it.
Knights in regulation sounds good. No confirmed starter yet, but it shouldn’t matter too much since Lehner and Brossoit are pretty even. Most importantly, all key players are healthy and ready to roll. I got several picks I really like for tonight:
Flyers win in regulation vs Habs
Let’s be real honest here…Jake Allen is the only one giving the Habs a half decent chance to win a game at this point and he is not playing tonight. They have lost 6 out of 7 games he didn’t play in. We haven’t seen too much from Primeaux (in net tonight), but looking at his games from last season and the minors, he is very mediocre at best.
Flyers have some serious momentum, convincingly winning their last 3. Almost no key players missing and Carter Hart confirmed in net tonight, who has been very solid over his last 3 starts. Add the fact that the Habs lost all of the games they played without Allen in regulation.
Wild -1.5 vs Sabres
The Wild finally return home since Dec 4th and must be fired up to put on a show for their home crowd again. They won their last 6 home games and are one of the few teams who are actually fully healthy. Cam Talbot is confirmed in net and besides his last game in Vegas he has been amazing, winning his last 4 starts at home. Luukkonen is in net for the Sabres and he has been pretty solid so far, but it’s hard seeing him keeping this up since he is playing way above his average so far. The Wild present one of the most potent offenses in the league and I think it’s gonna be too much for him to handle tonight.
Avs vs Preds over 5.5
Yeah…almost a no brainer at this point. The over has hit in 15 out of their last 18 games!!! Jeez…
Canucks win/draw – no bet vs Sharks
If you look up the word “Resurrection” you’ll find a picture of the Canucks logo. They have gone 5-0-0 since the coaching change and ride some serious momentum.
All key players are healthy (so far) and Demko is confirmed in net. He has won all of his last 4 starts, posting an incredible .962 SV%, stopping 128 of 133 shots. Even though that has all been on their home ice, I think they’ll take this momentum with them on the road. Sharks really present nothing special at the moment. Hill is the confirmed starter for this one and he is a considerable downgrade from Reimer. I think Canucks make it 6 here.
Islanders ML vs Bruins if Sorokin in net
This might be a decent spot to use the Covid situation as an advantage. The Bruins have some serious absences in Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron. Marchand’s absence alone was making a huge difference, as the Bruins lost 3 out of 4 games he was missing. But now Bergeron aswell? Thats essentially 2 of their best players gone for this one. The Islanders on the other side are pretty much at full health and playing much better hockey now. They finally won their first home game and won 2 out of their last4, with both losses beeing very closely contested. Sorokin has been an absolute beacon of light for them, playing very solid in almost every game he starts and also beeing the only netminder to even rack up some wins for them. He sports a .936 SV% over his last 7 starts and if he gets the call tonight, I really like the Islanders chances.
Experimental:
Kings win/draw – no bet vs Panthers if Quick in net
Now this is really more of an experiment. The Panthers are insanly diminished by Covid and Injuries at this point, it’s crazy. Carter Verhaege and Aaron Ekblad, two very important players played vs the Sens, where they got blown to pieces 2-8. Of course that was with Knight in net, but still. Now they are out as well for this game. The Kings on the other hand are rather healthy and if Quick should get the start here, I’m going for it. He has been incredible, not having lost in regulation since Nov. 24 and posting a .954 SV% in his last 4 starts, saving 105 of 110 shots.
With him they have serious chance of stealing this one.
Enjoy the games and good luck everyone!
Malv