There may be just three games scheduled in the NHL on Friday night, but the marquee event is must-see action, as the Tampa Bay Lightning head to Sunrise to take on the Florida Panthers in the renewal of the Battle of Florida.
Below you will find my projections for each of tonight’s three 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 results tally for this season:
15-13-0 (53.6%), +3.38 units
PROJECTIONS
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING at FLORIDA PANTHERS
|
| ML ODDS | ML PROJ. | PUCK LINE ODDS | PUCK LINE PROJ. | TOTAL ODDS | TOTAL PROJ. | 3-WAY ML ODDS | 3-WAY ML PROJ. |
| TBL | -105 | +165 (37.8%) | +1.5 (-270) | -151 (60.2%) | O6.5 (-136) | -160 (61.6%) | +135 | +231 (30.2%) |
| FLA | -115 | -165 (62.2%) | -1.5 (+215) | +151 (39.8%) | U6.5 (+115) | +160 (38.4%) | +125 | -120 (54.6%) |
| TIE |
|
|
|
|
|
| +350 | +558 (15.2%) |
DETROIT RED WINGS at CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
|
| ML ODDS | ML PROJ. | PUCK LINE ODDS | PUCK LINE PROJ. | TOTAL ODDS | TOTAL PROJ. | 3-WAY ML ODDS | 3-WAY ML PROJ. |
| DET | -115 | +181 (35.6%) | -1.5 (+210) | +568 (15%) | O6.5 (-105) | +208 (32.5%) | +125 | +269 (27.1%) |
| CHI | -105 | -181 (64.4%) | +1.5 (-261) | -568 (85%) | U6.5 (-115) | -208 (67.5%) | +135 | -127 (56%) |
| TIE |
|
|
|
|
|
| +340 | +490 (17%) |
SEATTLE KRAKEN at COLORADO AVALANCHE
|
| ML ODDS | ML PROJ. | PUCK LINE ODDS | PUCK LINE PROJ. | TOTAL ODDS | TOTAL PROJ. | 3-WAY ML ODDS | 3-WAY ML PROJ. |
| SEA | +220 | +395 (20.2%) | +1.5 (-115) | +147 (40.5%) | O6.5 (-136) | +104 (49.1%) | +280 | -594 (14.4%) |
| COL | -276 | -394 (79.8%) | -1.5 (-105) | -147 (59.5%) | U6.5 (+115) | -104 (50.9%) | -171 | -285 (74%) |
| TIE |
|
|
|
|
|
| +400 | +765 (11.6%) |
BETS
- It’s always a battle when the Lightning and Panthers faceoff against one another, and I’d expect tonight to be no different. Each of these teams share similarities that put them among the elite of the Eastern Conference, ranging from elite scorers to strong / exceptional goaltending. Tampa’s in a bit of a precarious position, though, as it remains to be seen if they’ve still got “it” in terms of championship caliber play. The Lightning are one of the older teams in all of hockey (average age of 29.1), and while their 5-on-5 numbers look solid, they’ve struggled to score when playing at even strength. Tampa ranks third worst in goals scored this season with ten, and that number becomes more alarming when considering half of those goals came while on the power play. Now, taking on a Panthers team that’s stout on the PK (killed off fourteen of sixteen of their opponent’s power play chances this season), things could get dicey for the Bolts if they don’t strike early. I like Matthew Tkachuk and company to get the job done on home ice tonight.
- The Blackhawks haven’t been involved in the wildest of games to this point in the season, but they’ve played quite well for a team that had low expectations entering the year. The key for Chicago in tonight’s game is to stay out of the penalty box. The Blackhawks have allowed four power play goals on twelve man-advantage opportunities, ranking them in the bottom-five of the league on the penalty kill. Take those four power play goals against out of their total goals allowed on the year and Chicago rates as one of the most difficult teams to score against – which may not bode well for a Detroit team that’s 25th in the league in goals scored to date. Petr Mrazek looked good against the Sharks last Saturday and he should be in a prime position to get his second victory of the season at United Center this evening.
THE PLAYS:
- TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING at FLORIDA PANTHERS – Panthers ML (-115)
- TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING at FLORIDA PANTHERS – Panthers -1.5 (+215)
- DETROIT RED WINGS at CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS – Blackhawks ML (-105)
