Friday night features a smaller slate of games in the National Hockey League, with just four contests scheduled to take place.
Below you will find my projections for all four games as well as any wagers worth considering, with odds powered by PointsBet.
The percentages in parentheses next to the odds reflect the implied probability of the price listed.
Here is the year-to-date results tally:
5-2-0 (71.4%), +3.55 units
PROJECTIONS
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING at COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
|
| ML ODDS | ML PROJ. | PUCK LINE ODDS | PUCK LINE PROJ. | TOTAL ODDS | TOTAL PROJ. | 3-WAY ML ODDS | 3-WAY ML PROJ. |
| TBL | -200 | -198 (66.5%) | -1.5 (+140) | +132 (43.1%) | O6 (-125) | -156 (60.9%) | -125 | -147 (59.5%) |
| CBJ | +165 | +199 (33.5%) | +1.5 (-165) | -132 (56.9%) | U6 (+105) | +308 (24.5%) | +220 | +278 (26.5%) |
| TIE |
|
|
|
|
|
| +350 | +611 (14.1%) |
MONTREAL CANADIENS at DETROIT RED WINGS
|
| ML ODDS | ML PROJ. | PUCK LINE ODDS | PUCK LINE PROJ. | TOTAL ODDS | TOTAL PROJ. | 3-WAY ML ODDS | 3-WAY ML PROJ. |
| MTL | +135 | +131 (43.3%) | +1.5 (-186) | -211 (67.9%) | O6 (-131) | +136 (42.4%) | +185 | +182 (35.4%) |
| DET | -160 | -131 (56.7%) | -1.5 (+155) | +211 (32.1%) | U6 (+110) | +147 (40.5%) | -105 | +104 (48.9%) |
| TIE |
|
|
|
|
|
| +340 | +538 (15.7%) |
NEW YORK RANGERS at WINNIPEG JETS
|
| ML ODDS | ML PROJ. | PUCK LINE ODDS | PUCK LINE PROJ. | TOTAL ODDS | TOTAL PROJ. | 3-WAY ML ODDS | 3-WAY ML PROJ. |
| NYR | +115 | -150 (60%) | +1.5 (-250) | -452 (81.9%) | O6.5 (-105) | +257 (28%) | +160 | -107 (51.6%) |
| WPG | -136 | +150 (40%) | -1.5 (+200) | +452 (18.1%) | U6.5 (-115) | -257 (72%) | +105 | +217 (31.5%) |
| TIE |
|
|
|
|
|
| +340 | +492 (16.9%) |
CAROLINA HURRICANES at SAN JOSE SHARKS
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| ML ODDS | ML PROJ. | PUCK LINE ODDS | PUCK LINE PROJ. | TOTAL ODDS | TOTAL PROJ. | 3-WAY ML ODDS | 3-WAY ML PROJ. |
| CAR | -216 | -193 (65.8%) | -1.5 (+130) | +152 (39.7%) | O6 (-105) | +231 (30.2%) | -131 | -135 (57.5%) |
| SJS | +175 | +193 (34.2%) | +1.5 (-155) | -152 (60.3%) | U6 (-115) | -115 (53.4%) | +230 | +287 (25.8%) |
| TIE |
|
|
|
|
|
| +350 | +499 (16.7%) |
BETS
- If we’re calling a spade a spade, the Tampa Bay Lightning looked old and slow against the New York Rangers on Opening Night, losing the first game of the season by a final score of 3-1. I don’t want to overreact to one game, but it felt a bit like a continuation of what we saw at the tail end of the postseason last year when the Bolts lost to the Avalanche in the Cup Final – an old, slow, tired squad. The good news? They take on a Columbus Blue Jackets team that was dominated by the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday in Raleigh, and assuming Father Time hasn’t caught up to Tampa, I view Carolina and Tampa similarly. It’s a bit juicy, but Tampa in regulation at odds of -125 warrants a bet tonight.
- Speaking of the New York Rangers…they’ll be playing the second half of back-to-backs tonight in Winnipeg against a Jets team that underperformed last season. New York, on the other hand, exceeded most people’s expectations en route to an Eastern Conference Final appearance, largely due to the play of Igor Shesterkin. Shesterkin went last night in Minnesota, meaning Jaroslav Halak is likely to get the nod between the pipes in Winnipeg tonight. It seems a bit extreme to think that the prices offered on tonight’s game are simply a reflection of Shesterkin not being in goal – but that’s how good he’s been for the last season-plus. Nonetheless, Halak is no slouch, and despite playing for the second consecutive night, this Rangers team is buzzing right now. I like them to win in regulation at a very appealing price of +160, but I also can see this game going UNDER 6.5 total goals with Connor Hellebuyck between the pipes for the Jets.
THE PLAYS:
- TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING at COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS – Lightning 3-Way ML (-125)
- NEW YORK RANGERS at WINNIPEG JETS – Rangers 3-Way ML (+160)
- NEW YORK RANGERS at WINNIPEG JETS – UNDER 6.5 (-115)