Dave Cokin
Bonus Play Thursday
I’m playing the NHL on a very sporadic basis. But when something good shows up, I’ll happily take the plunge and I think there’s one such spot tonight. I’ll go with this one for the daily comp.
7 BRUINS at 8 PANTHERS 7:35 PM
Take: BRUINS +100
Boston has not been winning lately, but it’s not like they’re playing all that badly. The Panthers have finally won a couple in succession but they’re not a very good hockey team right now.
I like the goaltending angle here. Tuukka Rask should be back in goal for the Bruins after having been yanked last outing. That wasn’t necessarily Rask having a terrible game, just terrible luck. One goal was after he collided with a teammate behind the net, and another was off a fluky board bounce that ended up landing right on the stick of an opposing player. Regardless, I like good goalies off a state where they get pulled. It also doesn’t hurt that Rask has owned the Panthers throughout his career.
Also, Florida will go with James Reimer in the cage, and the Panthers backup has been nothing special when called upon. Reimer is already confirmed as the starter in this game for Florida, and while there’s no such thing as 100%, when it’s confirmed the night before, it’s usually chiseled in granite.
If you’re into in-season team trends, the numbers here point pretty clearly to the Boston side. I think the visitors ought to be the chalk here, so I have no problem backing the Bruins side at even money.
Bonus Play Thursday
I’m playing the NHL on a very sporadic basis. But when something good shows up, I’ll happily take the plunge and I think there’s one such spot tonight. I’ll go with this one for the daily comp.
7 BRUINS at 8 PANTHERS 7:35 PM
Take: BRUINS +100
Boston has not been winning lately, but it’s not like they’re playing all that badly. The Panthers have finally won a couple in succession but they’re not a very good hockey team right now.
I like the goaltending angle here. Tuukka Rask should be back in goal for the Bruins after having been yanked last outing. That wasn’t necessarily Rask having a terrible game, just terrible luck. One goal was after he collided with a teammate behind the net, and another was off a fluky board bounce that ended up landing right on the stick of an opposing player. Regardless, I like good goalies off a state where they get pulled. It also doesn’t hurt that Rask has owned the Panthers throughout his career.
Also, Florida will go with James Reimer in the cage, and the Panthers backup has been nothing special when called upon. Reimer is already confirmed as the starter in this game for Florida, and while there’s no such thing as 100%, when it’s confirmed the night before, it’s usually chiseled in granite.
If you’re into in-season team trends, the numbers here point pretty clearly to the Boston side. I think the visitors ought to be the chalk here, so I have no problem backing the Bruins side at even money.
