.png)
.svg){kind=small}
Vegas Golden Knights v. Minnesota Wild
The Golden Knights are winners of 6 in a row and are headed to the State of Hockey for a matchup between two Pacific division playoff teams. Marc Andre Fleury continues to turn back the clock for Vegas and is probably the leader in the clubhouse for the Vezina trophy at this point. The Wild have dropped 3 of their last 4, two of which came against Vegas, and are looking to snap out of a funk. Minnesota has either scored, or given up, 4 or more goals in 5 straight games while Vegas has done the same in 4 straight. Expect goals tonight in the Twin Cities.
The Bet: Over 5.5 Total Goals
Prediction: Vegas 4-2 Wild
St. Louis Blues v. San Jose Sharks
The Blues suffered a poor loss last time out against Los Angeles and tonight will turn to backup goalie Ville Husso in net. I do not understand the move from head coach Craig Berube considering this is not the second half of a back-to-back. San Jose has lost 5 of their last 6 games, all of which have been played at home. With the Shark Tank looking more like a Barber Shop aquarium, there is room for a Blues win, but the decision to play Husso seems like one that will backfire in the end.
The Bet: Sharks Moneyline
Prediction: Blues 3-4 Sharks
Ottawa Senators v. Edmonton Oilers
Ottawa beat Calgary last night in a back and forth affair. The only thing that stopped the Senators from a commanding victory was their lack of discipline. Ottawa took 8 penalties against the Flames and when you are a team at the bottom of the standings, you can not pigeon hole yourself further by taking tons of penalties. The Flames were not able to capitalize but Edmonton boasts too much quality offensive firepower to not strike when given the opportunity. Coming off a game last night, there is simply no way the Senators can compete with Connor McDavid and company.
The Bet: Oilers Puckline
Prediction: Senators 2-6 Oilers
Arizona Coyotes v. Colorado Avalanche
Arizona pulled off a comeback Saturday over the Wild to get back in the win column. Antti Raanta got the decision on the weekend but it will be regular starter Darcy Keumper in net tonight. When Keumper is on, he is one of the best goalies in the league, and tonight will be his second start since returning from injury. Colorado took a tough loss to lowly Anaheim on Saturday and will again be missing star talent Nathan MacKinnon up the middle of the ice. Couple the MacKinnon injury with Cale Makar missing from the blueline and the Avs are down elite playmakers. I think Keumper gets back in his groove tonight and stimies the preseason Stanley Cup favorites.
The Bet: Coyotes Moneyline
Prediction: Coyotes 3-2 Avalanche
Montreal Canadiens v. Vancouver Canucks
Montreal eviscerated Winnipeg on Saturday with a 7-1 thrashing. Les Habitantes have finally started to pick up their game under new head coach Dominique Ducharme and will look to keep it rolling out west tonight. Vancouver is coming off two wins against the division leading Maple Leafs which can always serve as a massive confidence boost to an underperforming squad. With both teams feeling good, there is no clear winner, but with Carey Price and an in-form Thatcher Demko in net, we could see a pitchers duel.
The Bet: Under 6.5 Total Goals
Prediction: Canadiens 2-1 Canucks
Los Angeles Kings v. Anaheim Ducks
The Kings scored an overtime winner this past weekend to beat St. Louis, and continue to be a frisky team that isn’t quite good enough for the playoffs but can give any team fits. Anaheim did something Saturday they had not done all season, and that was score 5 goals. The Ducks rank last in the NHL in scoring and are likely hoping the recent high scoring win over Colorado can improve their forwards confidence. This crosstown matchup will likely dull many viewers' senses but the way the Kings veterans like Dustin Brown, Anze Kopitar, and Drew Doughty have played recently show that they do have more quality than a rebuilding Ducks team.
The Bet: Kings Moneyline
Prediction: Kings 3-1 Ducks
Daily Fantasy Plays of the Day:
Center: Connor McDavid and/or Leon Draisaitl-The top 1-2 center punch in the NHL will likely be on full display tonight. Ottawa can’t handle these guys when they are fully rested and playing their starting goalie. Tonight, Ottawa is tired and playing their 3rd stringer. Pay up and watch the fantasy points flow in.
Wing: Alex Tuch-He is hot, and I mean red hot. Tuch has goals in 4 straight and scored 2 last time out. In a game where I expect goals to flow, he is a great bet, especially at his price point.
Defense: Samuel Girard and/or Devon Toews-As long as Cale Makar is out, both these two guys remain vital parts of Colorado’s squad. Their 200-foot game and playmaking ability on the powerplay makes them valuable fantasy starters while their average price point makes them cheaper than the big name studs.
Goalie: Mikko Koskinen-Again, it’s simple, play the goalie starting against Ottawa. The Senators have been playing better as of late but the odds of them getting a win tonight in the second half of a back-to-back on the road against this Edmonton team are too tall.
Utility: Dustin Brown-This guy has been far better than anyone expected this year. He and the Kings have had down seasons recently, so much so that people were asking him about retirement this offseason. Against John Gibson, goals are often hard to find, which is why you need to get to the dirty areas to beat him. Dustin Brown has never been afraid of crashing the crease.
