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With an important game on deck tomorrow against the Flyers, the Rangers will save Henrik Lundqvist for that one and turn to backup Marty Biron tonight. That’s not to say the Rangers will not be up for this game, it just says that they’re putting more weight on tomorrow’s game. The Rangers are coming off back-to-back wins over Phoenix and New Jersey. Against Phoenix they scored with a tenth of a second left in the game to win it and against New Jersey, they were the second best team on the ice, getting badly out-chanced and outshot. Prior to that, the Rangers had lost two straight and four of six. It’s safe to say that the Blue Shirts could conceivably be on a four-game losing streak with six losses in its past eight. The Islanders have picked up points in eight of their last 11. They remain one of the more undervalued teams in the league because of a poor record. The Islanders and Rangers have split their last four games, which has become commonplace over the years. Rangers are playing worse than their record suggests, thus creating the overlay. Play: N.Y. Islanders +160 (Risking 2 units).
Columbus +156 over NASHVILLE
These two are no strangers to one another. They play six times a year and the games are commonly close. They’ve played three times this season and all three were decided by one goal with two of them going into OT. Throw the standings and current form out the window when these two get together. The Predators are a big risk laying significant weight because they struggle to score goals and they usually have to scratch and claw for every win. The Blue Jackets are having another awful year. Losing is becoming a part of who they are. However, they’re also capable of surprises, as there is talent on the roster that does rear its head from time to time. A game total of 5 suggests a low scoring, close game with the outcome very much up for grabs. Overlay. Play: Columbus +156 (Risking 2 units).
Anaheim +156 over LOS ANGELES
You simply can’t lay this type of juice with a Los Angeles team that has scored two goals or less in regulation in 12 straight games. That’s almost hard to believe but it’s true. The Kings also return home from a four-game trip to the east coast in which they played well but only split the four games. They had 40 shots or more on net in three of those games and yet they still only scored six goals in four games. Now the situation is one that could find them fatigued. The Ducks are close to snapping out of their current funk. They have to get better goaltending from Jonas Hiller, a guy that was hugely reliable in the past but is having an off year. Anaheim rallied from three down in its last game to tie Dallas before losing it in the final frame. They’re tightening up defensively and cutting right down on opponents’ scoring chances. This is the Ducks last game until after Christmas. Expect them to really give it everything they have in an attempt to turn things around before the break. The Kings play again tomorrow in San Jose. They’re in an unfavorable spot and for a team that is laboring to score goals, they’re overpriced. Play: Anaheim +156 (Risking 2 units).
1 UNIT* NHL* Montreal Canadiens @ Winnipeg Jets: WINNIPEG JETS TO WIN (-125)
(Note: I'm risking 1.25 units to win 1 unit)
I won't go into full details about the struggles that Montreal is having, as we talked about it last night, but their 5-1 loss last night drops them to 13-15-7 on the season. They've lost 4 straight and have won just 3 times in their last 13 games. Over their last 5 games they are averaging 4 goals against per game, and face the Jets who average just under 3 goals per game at home. Winnipeg is coming off of a 3-2 shootout loss on Tuesday night at home, moving them to 2-1-1 on their home stand. The Jets are still 9-3 in their last 12 home games. In fact Winnipeg hasn't lost back to back home games since November 10th, and there was a 7 game road trip in the middle of the two home games. The Canadiens did spoil the Jets home opener with a 5-1 win back on October 9th, but the Jets have come along way since then and that should be added motivation. To add to that, goalie Ondrej Pavelec called out his forwards after Tuesday's loss. Take note that the Canadiens are just 2-5 in their last 7 road games, and a brutal 2-12 in their last 14 games playing on 0 days rest. Montreal is also just 5-12 in their last 17 road games vs a team with a home winning % greater than .600. Tonight's game comes down to Montreal with close to zero confidence after another loss last night and struggling on the second of back to back games. Add to that the motivation that Winnipeg has in a revenge game + one of their leaders calling out the offense, and the big home advantage Winnipeg has had lately. I like the Jets to win this one, and don't mind laying the small price to take them at home.
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