YTD (146-146-2)
Calgary Flames (-165) @ Ottawa Senators (+140)
I think we see a solid game tonight between two struggling teams. Both teams are very offense heavy, generating high shot volume all around so I like the over tonight. On home ice Ottawa plays a very wide open game with plenty of power play advantages for both teams.
Calgary is averaging a half goal less than they’re expect goals against, and I think we see some regression to the mean tonight against a senators team that is expected to score almost 4 goals in their last 5.
Where the Flames can counter the Ottawa expected goals is by taking advantage of Mads Sogaard. The 22 year old will get his first NHL start tonight after Forsberg left last game with two torn MCLs (absolutely brutal). With the Flames high shot volume I expect a few to sneak by the rookie, but I think Ottawa scores their own share of goals.
Over 6.5 Total Goals Scored (-115)
Buffalo Sabres (+125) @ LA Kings (-145)
The Kings are riding high off their shut win against the Pens where Kempe potted 4 of their 6 goals. With Buffalo making the dreaded East to West coast flight I’d expect that to continue into tonight.
LA is a very solid team, if they can find competent goal tending I think they can make a real run for the cup. While the Sabres are a solid team they are making that cross country flight we like to target. Another factor, and one I found odd, is dropping Tage Thompson down to the 2nd line while bumping Cozens up. While I think this does spread out their talent it gets rid of the Thompson/Tuch chemistry that has been such an important piece in their success. It doesn’t make sense to me.
I like the Kings a lot tonight and going forward, they have great depth, can score when needed but also have an incredible ability to shut teams down on defense. I think we see a good combination of that tonight against an offense forward Sabres team.
