You could build a case for the Sabres reaching the playoffs if they can somehow stay healthy.  Consistency in the wins column has proven hard to come by, but with Tage Thompson back on the ice, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen allowing an average of only 2.45 goals a game this year, the glass remains half full in Buffalo.  With a tricky road trip to follow on Sunday against the Isles, this shapes as an important game for the Sabres with the Avs ahead next week.  Bet Now: Canucks v Sabres New Jersey Devils @ Detroit Red Wings Tip: Back the Devils…

This is a big test for a Leafs team that has put together four straight wins, all in the absence of Auston Matthews, might I add.  Toronto has a one-day rest advantage after the Panthers took the ice on Tuesday where they were served a harsh reality check losing 4-1 to the Caps at home.   Part of me thinks the defending champs are coasting, but with the Leafs playing some physical hockey of late, they might be able to match Florida’s forecheck and really make a statement here away from home.  Bet Now: Leafs v Panthers Boston Bruins @ New…

A quiet Saturday on the ice with only two games to pick from, so we’ll keep it relatively simple by playing on this Sabres/Ducks game in Anaheim.  The Ducks return home off a two-game road trip that saw them extend their winning streak to three with a pair of wins over the Stars and Blachawks.  Greg Cronin’s side is the only team not playing the first of a back to back on Saturday, which works in their favour with the Sabres heading to San Jose on short rest.   Off a handy two-day break, I feel good about backing the…

This East Coast road trip could tell us plenty about the Canes’ and their lack of goalie depth.  Pyotr Kochetkov has steadied the ship nicely with Freddie Andersen out injured, but this remains a tricky schedule spot with a game in Philly followed by a meeting with the Devils on Friday.  The Flyers are hot and cold from night to night, but there’s been a lot to like about rookie Matvei Michkov, who had his four-game points streak snapped in Tuesday’s loss to the Avs.  Travis Konecny is the player I want to bet on though when it comes to…

The Oilers were shutout by Montreal last night, and it doesn’t get any easier with a quick trip to Ottawa to play the Sens on Wednesday.  Ottawa has improved drastically over the last week with Matthew Tkachuk and Tim Stutzle both finding their share of the goals.  A shutout win over Toronto was followed up with two disappointing losses to Philly and Carolina, but with a two-day rest advantage on home ice, the price on Ottawa here feels like a steal.  Bet Now: Oilers v Sens Anaheim Ducks @ Chicago Blackhawks Tip: Under 6.0 Goals @ $1.92  The Ducks are…

Travis Konecny and rookie Matvei Michkov have been lighting the lamp over the last week for the Flyers, helping them inch closer to a .500 record.  Philly bumps into a tough Colorado team looking to make up ground in the West on Tuesday though, made even more difficult when you consider the Avs are playing off a two-day break.  Nathan Mackinnon is on track for close to 130 points this year, while Mikko Rantanen has been electric over the last week, scoring four goals across Colorado’s last three games.  Player Pick: Mikko Rantanen Anytime Goal Scorer  Bet Now: Avs v…

The Pens have won eight of their last 10 against the Jackets, but this is a tricky spot for them on the road with a rest disadvantage.  Pittsburgh is coming off an overtime loss to the Red Wings on Thursday, while Columbus has had two days to recover from a sixth straight blowout loss to the Kraken.  Having traded Lars Ellers mid-week, it feels like the Pens are starting to pack it on the season, so it’s worth taking a piece of the value available for the Jackets to finally snap this horrid stretch of form.  Bet Now: Penguins v…

Twenty teams are in action on Friday, including this must-see matchup between the Lightning and the white hot Winnipeg Jets.   Tampa hasn’t played since last Saturday, so this is an interesting spot for them going up against an historically good side that has lost only one game all year.   The Jets had their hands full on Wednesday against the Rangers before pulling away for a comfortable win, dominating the third period with a couple of goals.  Scoring in the final period has been a problem for the Lightning this year, so I’m willing to bet that could be…

The Pens have been one of the most disappointing teams to start the season, not to be outdone by a Red Wings team that is vastly underachieving right now.   Defensively, the Red Wings are a mess, while their forecheck also needs to improve if they hold any hope of gaining ground in the East.  Fortunately, this is a spot where I feel good about backing Detroit given their three-day rest advantage.   The Wings haven’t taken to the ice since they were shutout by the Rangers on Sunday, making this a nice bounce back spot against a Pittsburgh team…

The Wings and Leafs return to the ice for the first game of respective back to back sets.   Toronto snapped a two-game skid with a shutout win over the rival Bruins on Wednesday, a handy performance considering Auston Matthews was sidelined.   Matthews, last year’s leading goal scorer, is still listed as day to day, but the Leafs should still find this a favourable match up against a Detroit outfit that has allowed the ninth-most shots against in the league.  With a tough trip to the Garden to follow against the Rangers, the Leafs look the right play here. …