A flurry of transactions leading into and including Monday’s NHL trade deadline are certain to alter to playoff picture as we inch closer and closer to the beginning of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. With roughly four weeks until the postseason, every regular season game becomes that much more critical. Below are two wagers to consider from Monday night’s slate of games in the National Hockey League.
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS at MONTREAL CANADIENS (Maple Leafs -1.5, -150 ML, o/u 6)
Despite having won nine of their last ten games, the Toronto Maple Leafs have been involved in a few epic battles recently. Of their last ten games, six of them have been decided by a single goal, and all ten of them have been settled by no more than two goals (Toronto has won all the games decided by two goals in this span). On the flipside, Montreal has floundered around the .500 mark for the better part of the season, currently riding a three-game losing streak and having lost four of their last five games overall. The Canadiens have struggled at home this season (8-10 overall), while the Maple Leafs have dominated on the road, sporting an overall record of 14-5. According to Edge Finder, the Leafs are 9-3 (+3.37 units) outright as road favorites following a victory this season, making the moneyline odds of -150 on PointsBet seem very fair. Given Toronto’s implied probability (60%) compared to their actual chances of winning (closer to 64.2%, -179 ML odds), the moneyline odds currently represent value.
Prediction: Maple Leafs 4 – Canadiens 3
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DETROIT RED WINGS at CAROLINA HURRICANES (Hurricanes -1.5, -360 ML, o/u 5.5)
Nobody would make the claim that the Detroit Red Wings are as good as the Carolina Hurricanes this season, however they have proven to be a thorn in Carolina’s side in 2021. Through six head-to-head matchups this season, the series between Detroit and Carolina is split at three a piece, with Detroit having squeaked out a 5-4 victory via shootout in their most recent meeting on Saturday. With James Reimer reportedly scheduled to make the start in net for the Hurricanes on Monday night, it may be worth looking at Detroit and considering taking the 1.5 goals on the puck line (currently +115 on PointsBet). The only time Reimer has faced the Red Wings this season was on March 16, a game in which he allowed three goals on 27 shots en route to a Detroit 4-2 victory (one goal scored via empty net). While not impossible, it seems unlikely the Wings will be able to pick up back-to-back victories over a Hurricanes team that is right in the thick of an intense race for top honors in the Central Division – but that does not mean Detroit cannot cover.
Prediction: Hurricanes 3 – Red Wings 2
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THE PLAYS
- Toronto Maple Leafs ML (-150 on PointsBet)
- Detroit Red Wings +1.5 (+115 on PointsBet)
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