Xam’s Daily Gems:
Bruins Money Line -160
After losing only 4 home games all year a few games ago, the Bruins find themselves tied for the top seed in the East after losing 3 straight home games. Incredibly, two of those losses have been by 3 goals to teams they are better then. Expect the Bruins to be dialed in for this game today. They have still been a dominant home team, with a 17-7-4 record. The Kings have been playing well largely on the back of their defense. They’ve only given up 140 goals this year. However, they’re only scoring a tad over 3 goals per game this season. Despite their impressive road record, they’re .500 at home this year. This would suggest there will be some regression in that record. The Bruins need this win to stay in the race for the top seed. If they lose today, they could risk falling as far as the 3 seed behind the Rangers. This is a big game, so expect a team with Stanley Cup Finals aspirations to be locked in in front of their home crowd.
Stars Money Line -120
The Stars have been scorching hot lately, winning 3 straight games and 8-1-1 in their last 10 games. They’ve done so on the back of a dominant offense, scoring 205 goals this season. They’ve also been really good at home, going 17-8-2 at American Airlines Center this season. The Oilers have been good in their last 10 games as well, going 7-3 in their last 10 games. However, each of those losses have come on the road and by multiple goals. Overall, they’ve been average on the road, with a 14-12 record coming into this game. Edmonton has scored their fair share of goals, so Dallas will need to continue playing solid defense in this one. However, Dallas is simply the better team and at home. They have legitimate Stanley Cup title aspirations. They have the better offense and will show it today.
Blues Money Line -113
The Blues are doing everything they can to scratch and claw their way into the playoffs. They are tied for the 7,8 seed while the Predators are the team right behind them. The Blues have been playing really well recently, going 8-2 in their last 10 games. They’ve also been really good at home this year, posting a 16-9-1 record at the Enterprise Center. The Predators have been plagued by inconsistency this year. They haven’t been scoring goals consistently but they’re giving up almost 3.3 goals per game this year. They also haven’t played well recently, going 3-6-1 in their last 10 games. The key here will be what the Blues can do offensively. If they can get their offense going behind guys like Jordan Kyrou and Pavel Buchnevich, they should be able to play enough defense to win.
Devils Money Line -144
It’s the start of the Stadium Series tonight at MetLife Stadium. This is a big game for both teams, as they’re 3rd and 4th in the Metro division currently. The Devils have been plagued by inconsistent defense and goalie play this year. They’ve scored 177 goals but have given up 182! However, this may be the game the Devils get back on track defensively. For one, the Flyers aren’t a very good offensive team. They’re averaging under 3 goals per game this season, and it’s going to be cold tonight. Devils goalie Nico Daws has been up and down this year, but overall he’s giving up less than 3 goals per game on average and in 3 games in February, he’s giving up just 1.69 goals per game. This game will likely come down entirely on how the Devils play defensively. There’s no question they have the better offensive talent. If the defense and Nico Daws can contain the Flyers offensively, Jack Hughes, Tyler Toffoli, and Nico Hischier should be able to do enough to get the Devils the win.
Canucks Money Line -128
The Canucks have perhaps the biggest home ice edge in the league, with a 19-4-2 record at Rogers Arena. They’re showing themselves to be the best team in the league right now, with a 6 point lead in the race for the top seed in the Western Conference and being 7-1-2 in their last 10 games. The Jets are a very good team in their own right, led by a dominant defense and elite goalie play. They’ve given up just 117 goals this season! However, the Canucks are making their argument for best offense in the league, with a whopping 203 goals on the year. The Jets have also struggled offensively. On the season, they’re averaging just under 3 goals per game. Recently, it’s been even worse. They have scored 2 or less goals in 8 straight games and been shutout twice. In this type of game tonight, that’s not going to work. The Canucks have the offense to break through and are good defensively in their own right. This is the type of game Vancouver has to win for them to win the Stanley Cup. Expect them to be locked in in front of the home fans.
Golden Knights Money Line -113
Tough spot for the Hurricanes here. Vegas hasn’t played since the 12th and Carolina is playing for the 2nd straight night after playing the Coyotes last night. The Golden Knights have also been a really good home team this year, with a 19-6-2 record at T-Mobile Arena. Vegas has played themselves back into contention among the top tier teams in the Western Conference. They’re 7-2-1 in their last 10 games and are currently the 5 seed. However, they’re only 2 points behind the 3 seed, so a win tonight could get them to an even 70 points on the season. These are two teams that are very evenly matched. The Hurricanes have given up 8 more goals and scored 6 more goals on the season. With two explosive offenses matching up, this will come down to defense and goalie play. If Vegas can contain guys like Sebastian Aho and Martin Necas, Mark Stone, William Karlsson, and Jonathan Marchessault should be able to do enough to get the win. The Hurricanes aren’t a good road team and Vegas has that rest edge. That may end up being the difference tonight.