Xam’s Daily Gems:
Lightning 60 Minute Money Line -105
Risk: 5.25 Units
To Win: 5 Units
(For this bet to win, the Lightning must win in regulation. Bet loses even if the Lightning win in OT/Shootout.)
Tampa Bay comes into this game tied for the 7th/8th seed in the Eastern Conference, and they’ve been struggling recently. They’re just 5-5 in their last 10 games and got rolled in their last game. They have scored and given up a ton of goals this season. Tampa Bay has scored 208 goals this season, good for 3rd most in the conference. However, they have given up 207! That’s also the 3rd most in the conference. The Sabres have struggled to score this year. They’re averaging just 2.89 goals per game this season. That’s tough going on the road against a team that’s can score in bunches. The Lightning have been a great home team this year, coming into tonight with a 18-8-3 record at Amalie Arena this year. They also score a lot at home. They’re averaging 3.82 goals per game at home! Due to all of this, the key tonight is going to be Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy. He’s struggled in the month of February, but overall at home this year he’s giving up less than 3 goals per game. He’s given up 4 or more goals in 4 of his last 5 games, so Tampa Bay needs a good game from him. If he can deliver at home against a weak offense, Tampa Bay should be able to get their offense rolling against an inferior opponent.
Hurricanes 60 Minute Money Line -165
Risk: 8.25 Units
To Win: 5 Units
(For this bet to win, the Hurricanes must win in regulation. Bet loses even if the Hurricanes win in OT/Shootout.)
The Blue Jackets are, to put it mildly, a bad hockey team. They don’t score a lot, as they are averaging under 3 goals per game. However, they give a ton of goals. The 214 goals they’ve given up this year is the most in the Eastern Conference and 2nd most in the entire league. As if that wasn’t enough, this will be their 2nd straight game after playing on the road yesterday. The Hurricanes have a significant rest advantage coming into this game, as they have only played one game since the 25th. Carolina has been stout defensively all year. They’re only giving up 2.79 goals per game this year. That’s a bad matchup for a Blue Jackets team that just doesn’t score a lot. Simply put, these are two teams that just don’t match up. Columbus is playing out the strings and Carolina has Stanley Cup Finals aspirations. Carolina has more to play for, more rest, and of course, better players. Look for Carolina to be aggressive and get behind their offense early in this one.
Maple Leafs 60 Minute Money Line -145
Risk: 7.25 Units
To Win: 5 Units
(For this bet to win, the Maple Leafs must win in regulation. Bet loses even if the Maple Leafs win in OT/Shootout.)
The Maple Leafs have been very hot recently, winning 8 of their last 10 games. They have shot up the standings on the back of their dominant offense, led by Auston Matthews and William Nylander. Arizona, meanwhile, have been sinking like a rock. They have lost 13 straight games! They’ve been horrendous on the road, going 8-16-5 away from their home crowd. Unfortunately for them, they aren’t scoring much at all. They’re averaging just 2.89 goals per game. However, they’re giving up 3.31 goals per game. That’s a bad combination when you have to go on the road to face one of the best teams in the league. The Leafs have had their own struggles defensively this season. Given this, the key tonight will be Toronto’s defense and goalie Joseph Woll. He’s making his 1st start since December 7th. He may be rusty tonight, but he’s played well this year. In 15 games played this year, he’s giving up just 2.80 goals per game. If he can play like that against a weak offense, Toronto should be able to get their offense going and get a win in front of the home crowd.
Warriors -2.5 -156
Risk: 7.8 Units
To Win: 5 Units
The Warriors have been hot recently, despite losing their last game. They’re 12-6 since Draymond Green returned from his suspension and are giving up just 112 points per game over their last 10 games. The offense has also found its stride, averaging 121 points per game in their last 10 games. This is a brutal matchup for the Knicks, who have been reeling due to injuries to marquee players. Without Julius Randle and OG Anunoby, the burden has fallen on Jalen Brunson. He’s been solid, but the rest of the team hasn’t picked it up. They are averaging just 106 points in their last 10 games. Their defense has also lapsed in recent games. This is not a team that’s built to handle the offensive barrage that the Warriors are capable of. The Warriors have been better on the road recently as well, going 7-3 in their last 10 road games. They have won 7 straight road games, in fact. If the Warriors can contain Jalen Brunson, they should be able to put plenty of offense together and keep their playoff push going.
Nets Money Line -120
Risk: 6 Units
To Win: 5 Units
Despite all of their struggles this season, the Nets somehow find themselves just 4 games out of the last Play-In spot in the Eastern Conference. They’re playing the 10th seed tonight. The Hawks are 2-0 without superstar point guard Trae Young, but this is their 1st road game without him. The Hawks have not been a good road team this year. Overall, they’re 11-16 away from State Farm Arena, and 3-7 in their last 10 road games. On the other side of the token, the Nets have done anything but inspire confidence recently. They’re 2-8 in their last 10 games, and recent losses haven’t been competitive. In fact, in their last 12 games alone, they have 6 losses of 15 or more points, and have lost by as many as 50 points! At home, however, they are different. They’re scoring about 114 points at home and have played competitively at home. The Hawks are just terrible defensively. They’re giving up almost 123 points per game this year! The Nets are the better defensive team and have less to contend with tonight. If they can just play a little defense and contain guys like Dejounte Murray and Jalen Johnson, the Nets should be able to put points up offensively and keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
Stars 60 Minute Money Line +115
Risk: 5 Units
To Win: 5.75 Units
(For this bet to win, the Stars must win in regulation. Bet loses even if the Stars win in OT/Shootout.)
The Stars have been slumping recently. They have lost 2 straight and are just 4-3-3 in their last 10 games. The Jets have won 4 straight and 7 of their last 10 games, which has enabled them to tie the Stars in points for 2nd place in the Western Conference. This is a huge game. The winner will have sole possession of the 2-seed in the West, keep the pressure on Vancouver for the 1-seed, and avoid the risk of being caught by the Avs, who come into tonight 2 points behind both teams. The Jets have been buoyed by tremendous defense this year. They’re giving up just 2.36 goals per game this season. The 135 goals they’ve given up are the fewest in the entire league. The Stars are just the opposite. They have the 3rd most goals in the entire league, and are averaging 3.57 goals per game. At home, they’re averaging a whopping 4 goals per game. 2 of the last 3 games the Jets have played have gone to OT, and the Stars come into this game desperate. They’re 1-6 in their last 7 games! The Jets are due for a bit of a letdown game. The Stars are at home, have the better offensive talent, and simply need this game more. Stars goalie Jake Oettinger has been solid overall, giving up just 2.98 goals per game this year and in February that number is down to 2.79 goals per game. If he can keep up his recent play, the Stars should be able to get their offense going and get a much needed win.
Avalanche 60 Minute Money Line -175
(For this bet to win, the Avalanche must win in regulation. Bet loses even if the Avalanche win in OT/Shootout.)
Risk: 8.75 Units
To Win: 5 Units
The Avs got back on track with a dominant win against the Stars in their last game, but they’re still just 4-5-1 in their last 10 games. That has seen them fall to 4th in the Western Conference standings. Fortunately for them, they have a matchup with the worst team in the league, the Chicago Blackhawks. They’ve lost 4 straight games and are just 1-6-3 in their last 10 games. They are nothing short of terrible offensively, with 123 goals on the year. This is the 2nd fewest goals in the entire league, at just 2.08 goals per game. Unfortunately for them, they’re also giving up a ton of goals. They’ve given up 208 goals on the year. That’s the 2nd most in the Western Conference and 4th most in the entire league! That comes to an average of 3.52 goals per game. The key tonight will be Colorado’s goalie, Justus Annunen. He was great in his last game, giving up 2 goals on the road in an eventual OT loss. The Avs have had lapses defensively this year, as their 189 goals against would indicate. However, this is not a team that should put a lot of pressure on Colorado’s defense tonight. Simply put, the Avs have Stanley Cup Finals aspirations. They absolutely can go on a run, but to do that they need to win games like this tonight. Expect the offense to come out hungry and ready to go to get the team back on track and give the backup goalie an early lead.
Wizards +9 -112
Risk: 5.60 Units
To Win: 5 Units
Betting on the Wizards is always a risky proposition. However, the Lakers are on the 2nd night of a back-to-back and spent a lot of energy with their ferocious comeback last night. This is a prime spot for a letdown against a team that knows how to score. The Lakers are not very good defensively. Washington has only played one game since February 25th. They are the more rested team and do have some capable offensive players. Kyle Kuzma, Deni Avdija, and Corey Kispert have led the team on offense in recent games. The Lakers are surrendering almost 120 points per game in their last 7 games. Of course, it goes without saying that hoping the Wizards do anything on offense is always a risky bet. On average, they’re giving up the most points in the league at 124 points per game! As is always the case with Washington, the key is what they can do on defense. If they can play some defense against a tired opponent, they may be able to keep this game to within single digits. Against a tired team that’s not good defensively, the Wizards may not have to play much defense in order to cover the number and keep this game close.