I have decided that the only sport I have any business wagering on is the NHL, as it is the only sport I truly understand. Just trying to get my feet wet here by posting where I see value.
Monday, Oct 13
Sens @ Panthers: Although Ottawa does not have a great team, they are playoff bubble material. On the other hand, Panthers truly blow. Anderson has owned Florida the last two seasons, and I don't give a rat's ass about Luongo's 10 game winning streak against Sens. Ottawa should be able to manhandle them and get out with a win. I like the value in this line.
MTL at 2.27 is good value too. TB a little shaky to start the year (would not have got a point vs. Sens if not for Cowen's oops), and MTL is just a machine right now. 4th game in 6 nights for MTL but this early in season fatigue not so much a factor. I like Ottawa tonight too.
I thought about Mtl, but they have had shaky starts to every game. i think Tampa is too good to let them get away with that. Plus, I assume they are still pissed over losing to Sens.
Tuesday, October 14 1) Carolina/Buffalo : This is no Clash of the Titans, for true. Both teams will most likely finish in or near the cellar all season. Still, Carolina is the better team of the two. They desperately need a home win, and should come out strong. Buffalo has better goaltending, but will be outmatched in all other areas. Plus, this is the second leg of a back to back for Sabres, they having been pounded by Anaheim yesterday. Carolina -1PL@+102, 1 unit
2) Washington/San Jose: Public money is all over San Jose, and with good reason. They are a far superior team. However, they are at the beginning of a road trip, and hopefully don’t have their legs yet. Also, Washington is not as bad as their record suggests. They lost in OT to Tampa, and should have beaten Montreal but lost in OT. Only willing to put .5 unit, but I like the play.
I like the Washington pick. The Hurricanes pick is a coin flip seeing as how bad both teams are. Carolina have 3 of their best players out though with both Staals and Skinner still out. I’m on Buffalo myself, but bol
Light night tonight. But I see one play, possibly two
1) This season is not going the way Boston hoped. They are just not scoring goals. Not sure if Gagne will light some kind if emotional fire; at this point they will take anything. Still, I think there is value here. They play well in Detroit, and Datsuk is still out. Bruins -120, 1 unit
2) Juice is too high on Hawks, so I am parlaying it with Bruins. Not a big fan of parlays, but I think this could pull out. Bruins/Hawks Parlay +146, .5 unit
Well, Hawks ran into an insanely hot goalie. Still, I didn't pay the juice to watch Hiller stand on his head, and only went half a unit.
Bruins took a big step forward last night. Great road win, they dominated the entire game.
Thursday, October 16
1) I was leaning Caps, but the more I look at this game, the more I lean Devils. They are old as hell, but they are playing young right now, and Schneider is just a far superior goalie to Peters. Devils +111, 1 unit
2) Going small on the Habs Under. Opening ceremonies slow everything down, and PP is dead. Seeing a goaltender battle as Price gets back on form and Rask trying to build on last night. Not crazy about the price, so going .5 unit. Habs Under +100, .5 unit
Okay, misread that shit. Should have gone with my gut feeling on Caps. As for Habs, home openers run one way or the other. Team is fired up or flat. I tried to hedge my bet with an Under, but we can see where that led me.