Wunderdog
NHL
Game: Chicago at Boston (7:05 PM Eastern)
Pick: 4 units on Chicago -140 (moneyline) (risk 4 to win 2.9)
Pick: 4 units on Game Total UNDER 5 +120 (risk 4 to win 4.8)
The Blackhawks are starting to look like the team to beat in the NHL
with 30 wins 10 losses and three shootout losses. They are coming out
on the right side of games 70% of the time and are certainly offering
some value here. The Bruins have not been the same team they were a
year ago on home ice as they have already suffered as many losses at
home as they did all of last season. The Blackhawks have cashed 38 of
their last 52 as a favorite, while the Bruins are just 1-6 in their
last seven as a dog of +110 to +150, where the UNDER is also 12-3-1,
as well as 25-9 when the Bruins face a team with a winning percentage
of .600 or higher. I'll go with Chicago, and the UNDER in this one.
Game: Florida at Montreal (7:35 PM Eastern)
Pick: 3 units on Florida +125 (moneyline) (risk 3 to win 3.8)
The Montreal Canadiens are a very streaky team. They are unbeatable
when they’re streaking, but winless when they are struggling. They
already have six multiple-game winning streaks on the season, but
unfortunately, they have matched that with six multiple-game losing
streaks. They are in one of their losing funks now and to make matters
worse, their home winless streak has now reached four games. This
series has been dominated by the road team who has won eight of the
last 11, and the dog has won seven of the last 10. This is not a good
spot of the up-and-down Canadiens who are down right now. Florida gets
the call here.
Game: Columbus at Edmonton (9:05 PM Eastern)
Pick: 4 units on Columbus +105 (moneyline) (risk 4 to win 4.2)
The Blue Jackets looked like a potential playoff team early, but
coming out on the wrong side of 21 of their last 24 has changed that
thinking. Signs point to things starting to change after eight of 11
scoring just 1 goal or less. The Blue Jackets produced 2 vs. Colorado,
and 3 in their last game vs. Vancouver, so the offense has come out of
the slump. As futile as it has been for the Blue Jackets, the Oilers
have claimed the right side in just 1 of their last 11, allowing 4
goals per game. The ledger vs. the West is an uninviting 0-9 in their
last nine games. I will trust that the Jackets can continue to build
on offensive success vs. a team allowing 4 per game, and come away
with the win here. Columbus gets this one.
Game: Phoenix at Vancouver (10:05 PM Eastern)
Pick: 4 units on Game Total UNDER 5 +120 (risk 4 to win 4.8)
The Canucks are allowing exactly 2 goals against them at home through
23 home games. As a dog, the Coyotes have had a lot of low-scoring
games resulting in a 33-16-3 mark to the UNDER. They have also
stepped-up the defense when facing an opponent who scored 5 or more in
their last game as none of the last eight have topped the total. The
Canucks are stingy vs. losing teams at home where they have played
12-4 to the UNDER in their last 16. This is a good spot to take
advantage of an excess on the total as we get significant odds in a
good situation. I'll go with the UNDER here.
