The NHL has a small slate of games scheduled for today. There’s really marquee game to breakdown so I’m just going to do a small writeup on my picks for today. I’ll have my full breakdown as usual for tomorrow’s matchups.
New York Rangers @ Arizona Coyotes
PICK: NEW YORK RANGERS TO WIN IN REGULATION (-130)
The Coyotes continue to struggle at home and on the road. They’ve dropped five straight games and have really showed no signs of life getting outscored 24-8 during that stretch. The Rangers have dropped their last two and have the perfect rebound spot here against the Yotes. Igor Shesterkin is questionable for tonight but if he does play, I like the Rangers even more.
Seattle Kraken @ Anaheim Ducks
PICK: ANAHEIM DUCKS 1P -0.5 (+150)
PICK: ANAHEIM DUCKS TO WIN IN REGUATION (-105)
Seattle is coming off a game last night where they upset the San Jose Sharks while Anaheim has had a few days rest. The Kraken have an average of 0.92 GF and 1.08 GA in the 1st Period. Anaheim on the other hand, has a 0.73 GF and a 0.33 GA average in the 1st Period. I think the Ducks try to come out hot early in the game and take advantage of a tired Seattle team.
Best of luck, and as always you can find me on Twitter @GatorBetting and Instagram @Gator_Sports_Betting.
The Blazers find themselves in the midst of a 6 game losing streak. They are bound to turn things around, but I don’t expect tonight to be the night they do so. Portland played a competitive overtime game against the Suns last night; Damian Lillard played an astonishing 47 minutes, while Norm Powell and Jusuf Nurkic played 39 and 38 minutes, respectively. It was clear that the Blazers were pouring everything they had into beating the Suns; to expect Damian Lillard to be his usual self coming off last night is unrealistic. The Grizzlies are one of the hottest teams in the league right now(won 8 of their last 9) and have the major rest advantage entering tonight. They went 3-1 in their latest home stand; entering the first game of a 2 game road trip tonight, I’d expect them to continue playing well. This is a bad spot for Portland, and they’ve given bettors no reason to trust them here recently. I’ll lay the 3 with Memphis.
You might wonder why the defending champs are home underdogs to a 12-17 team; simply put, Giannis is OUT tonight, and Khris Middleton is expected to follow. Beyond that, however, this is a double revenge game for Indiana(lost twice to Milwaukee this season). The Pacers had won 3 straight games(all by at least 6 points) until they matched up with the 23-5 Warriors the other night; although they lost that game by 2, they were in it all the way up until the end and probably should’ve won that game. Either way, this Pacers group had a successful home stand and are starting to come together under 1st year HC Rick Carlisle. The Bucks are coming off a 4 game road trip and will head right back on a plane to New Orleans after tonight’s game. Oh, did I mention they were without Giannis tonight? This spot and line screams Indiana.
I JUST gave the Lakers out as a premium pick and then, predictably, learned that Horton-Tucker has COVID, along with Dwight Howard and Malik Monk, and that their practice has been canceled.
Lovely. Still on LAL but only 1 unit for now. Proceed with caution.
Without Luka tonight, the Mavericks will be short-handed. Lebron is probable and AD is questionable but most sources expect them to play. I’m taking LAL at -1 for 2 units, expecting this line to rise.
Again, use your own judgment. These lingering injury updates are beyond annoying.
Firstly, yesterday sucked. This is a rough betting environment right now with all the ups and downs because of COVID and other random illnesses and injuries. Because of that, we have to be extra judicious. For now, these are the picks I like, but don’t be surprised if shit changes midday; that’s the way of the world this week. You’ll get an email from me if/when. That being said, there’s value in all these lines. Let me know if you have any Qs.
519/ 520 Golden State at New York 1Q OV 54 (-110) *
Total in this one is starting to lean towards the whole game over juiced at 211.5. Typical look would be to the under in this one as New York is a defensive squad and we have Golden State in their 3rd straight road game. However, we know the Warriors can score. The pressure is off to get Steph the 3 point record being just two shy. I don’t think they will be forcing their offense to get him that record any longer and we have a young team in the Warriors. To boot, the Knicks are no slouch-looking to turn around their recent losing slide and are 4-1O/U in the 1st quarter in their L5. They’ll be looking to prove they can hang with this Warriors team. I’ll take the over in the first quarter!
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43 Bowl games! Keep in mind that motivation can change and it is truly in the eyes of the beholders and we can just speculate the best that we can. I will also update this article in red as things change.
H = High Motivation
MH = Medium High
M = Medium
ML = Medium Low
L = Low
Northern Illinois – ML – This team won the Mac Championship and celebrating while partying in Orlando could be the better option.
Coastal Carolina – M – Coastal went through a lot of adversity when they lost QB Grayson McCall for a few weeks but he is back and they will want to win. They did have higher hopes earlier in the season.
Dec. 18 – Boca Raton Bowl, Boca Raton, Fla.: Appalachian State vs. Western Kentucky, ESPN, 11 a.m.
Appalachian State – MH – They lost the conference championship but they will want to end the season on a good note.
Western Kentucky – M – Great season for the Hilltoppers but they lost their championship game to UTSA. They also go here to play FAU sometimes during the season and some of the player were here last year for their conference game.
Dec. 18 – New Mexico Bowl, Albuquerque, N.M.: Fresno State vs. Texas-El Paso, ESPN, 2:15 p.m.
Fresno State – ML – Fresno State had higher hopes but they had a great season. The Coach left the team for Washington and took with him their offensive coordinator. The Position coaches will call the pays.
UTEP – ML – UTEP is probably very happy to FINALLY get a bowl game yet really bummed out that they have to go to Albuquerque which is the closest main city to them anyways. Just getting to a bowl was the prize.
Dec. 18 – Independence Bowl, Shreveport, La.: Brigham Young vs. Alabama-Birmingham, ABC, 3:30 p.m.
BYU – ML – I can almost guarantee you that BYU had much higher hopes in their bowl asperations when they beat teams like ASU, UTAH and USC.
UAB – MH – UAB had higher hopes as well but getting to play BYU is a huge game for these kids.
Eastern Michigan – ML – This team is lucky to get a bowl game and Mobile is a nice play to play by the Ocean. The kids will use this as a vacation.
Liberty – M – This team seemed to lose Motivation at the end of the season some but they will probably get up for this game.
Dec. 18 – LA Bowl, Los Angeles CA: Oregon State vs. Utah State, ABC, 7:30 p.m.
Oregon State – M – This team almost made the Pac 12 title game but lost to rival Oregon. Nice for the kids to go to LA and they will have some fun yet they should want to win here as well.
Utah State – ML – Utah State won the Mountain West Championship with ease but they also were just in this area for that game. I think they treat this as a vacation more than business trip.
Dec. 18 – New Orleans Bowl, New Orleans LA: Louisiana-Lafayette vs. Marshall, ESPN, 9:15 p.m.
Louisiana – M – I think that this team wanted a better bowl game themselves, but it is at least a home game for their families only having to drive 135 miles.
Marshall – MH – Marshall had some back luck in their final game vs Western Kentucky with their quarterback going out but they should be motivated here to make a statement.
Dec. 20 – Myrtle Beach Bowl, Conway, S.C.: Old Dominion vs. Tulsa, ESPN, 2:30 p.m.
Old Dominion – M – Old Dominion is happy to make a bowl game after not playing last year and they won 5 games in a row to do it. Probably more of a home game for the Monarchs
Tulsa – ML – Tulsa also happy to make a bowl game but this will be treated like a vacation for these kids from the middle of farm country.
Dec. 21 – Idaho Potato Bowl, Boise, Idaho: Kent State vs. Wyoming, ESPN, 3:30 p.m.
Imagine being these two teams when they got selected to this bowl.
Kent State – M – This team lost their title game but they also made it to a bowl game which is huge for the program.
Wyoming – ML – Not exactly what kids from Wyoming want in a bowl game and it’s still over 600 miles away.
Dec. 21 – Frisco Bowl, Frisco, Tex.: San Diego State vs. Texas-San Antonio, ESPN, 7:30 p.m.
San Diego State – MH – These kids lost their conference title game but will want to finish strong and treat this like a business trip.
UTSA – ML – They won their conference title and this bowl game won’t matter as much but at least it is more of a home game only 300 miles away. They have also played North Texas here almost every year but that didn’t go well from them a few weeks back.
Dec. 22 – Armed Forces Bowl, Fort Worth, Tex.: Army vs. Missouri, ESPN, 8 p.m.
Army – H – Beat an SEC team? Why the hell not?
Missouri – H – Happy to make one. They can’t stop the run for shit but Drinkwitz does have experience against the option.
Dec. 23 – Frisco Football Classic,. Frisco, Tex.: Miami (Ohio) vs. North Texas, ESPN, 3:30 p.m. – I don’t know why Frisco gets to bowls?
Miami (Ohio) – M – Lucky to even get a bowl game with only 5 division 1 wins but I am sure they are happy to be here.
North Texas – MH – Won 5 games in a row to make a bowl game but stuck not traveling and playing this one at home. They probably assumed this might happen.
Dec. 23 – Gasparilla Bowl, Tampa FL: Central Florida vs. Florida, ESPN, 7 p.m.
Central Florida – H – Gets to play an SEC team.
Florida – ML – Lost their coach and this bowl does nothing for them but it would be embarrassing to lose to a small Florida team.
Dec. 24 – Hawaii Bowl, Honolulu, Hawai‘i: Hawaii vs. Memphis, ESPN, 8 p.m.
Hawaii – M – This team always plays in this bowl game.
Memphis – M – Great destination but they will also get up for this game.
Dec. 25 – Camellia Bowl, Montgomery, Ala.: Ball State vs. Georgia State, ESPN, 2:30 p.m.
Ball State – H – Ball State won the Mac last year and will be happy to win this bowl game.
Georgia State – H – I think that Georgia State caught fire and will keep it rolling.
Dec. 27 – Quick Lane Bowl, Detroit MI: Nevada vs. Western Michigan, ESPN, 11 a.m.
Nevada – ML – Lost coach and staff. Players sitting.
Western Michigan – ML – Not a great season or destination for Western Michigan who goes to Detroit plenty of times. It will however be a home game for them.
Dec. 27 – Military Bowl, Annapolis, Md: Boston College vs. East Carolina, ESPN, 2:30 p.m.
Boston College – L – Bad bowl game and this team had much higher expectations for the season. Changed to Medium High – Boston College’s QB is back and they will want to end the season on a good note.
East Carolina – H – This team hasn’t been to a bowl since 2013 and will play their asses off.
The NHL, like most other professional sports is currently experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak. All signs are pointing to either a temporary shut down or fans being disallowed from attending games.
The lone game between Calgary and Chicago was postponed last night and tonight two games have been postponed (Calgary/ Nashville and Carolina/ Minnesota).
Even with those games not happening, we still have 12 games going tonight so lets find some winners…
Los Angeles Kings @ Tampa Bay Lightning
Time: 7:00 PM ET
TV Coverage: ESPN+
Los Angeles Kings: 12-10-4, 6th Pacific (4-4-2 Away)
Tampa Bay Lightning: 17-6-4, 3rd Atlantic (8-3-2 Home)
Team
Opening ML
Current ML
Spread
Total
Los Angeles Kings
+175
+160
+1.5 (-165)
o5.5 (+110)
Tampa Bay Lightning
-195
-180
-1.5 (+145)
u5.5 (-130)
Trends:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Los Angeles’ last 5 games.
Los Angeles are 4-8 SU in their last 12 games.
Tampa Bay are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Tampa Bay’s last 6 games against Los Angeles.
Preview:
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning begin a two game home stand tonight where they’ll face the Los Angeles Kings. Tampa Bay is coming off a brutal loss on Saturday where they were beaten by the Senators 4-0. Brian Elliot get the start for the Bolts and finished with a -0.2 GSAx. However, the star of the show was in net for Ottawa, Anton Forsburg who had a +2.37 GSAx. Tampa Bay will look to rebound here against a team that they have not faced yet this season.
Offensively, the Lightning have been above average with a 57.73 Goals % and a 2.52 Goals For Per 60. Tampa Bay continues to struggle on the man advantage without Kucherov as they rank 19th in the League. The Bolts have a -2.17 Goals For Above Expected which is middle of the road. If you exclude last games loss, the Bolts rattled off a five game win streak where they were solid offensively averaging 4 goals per game during that stretch. Anthony Cirelli is questionable for tonight’s game with Brayden Point remaining sidelined.
On the opposite side of the puck, Tampa has looked much better than years past. However, they are dealing with some injuries as Bogosian is questionable for tonight’s game and Cernak is out indefinitely. They have one of the League’s best Goals Against Above Expected with a -11.81 and are averaging 1.84 Goals Against Per 60. Andrei Vasilevskiy is expected to get the start with a +13.5 GSAx on the year.
Los Angeles Kings
The Kings enter this matchup on a two game winning streak knocking off the Minnesota Wild 2-1, and the Dallas Stars 4-0. However, their game tonight will begin a tough stretch for them as they face Tampa Bay, Florida, Carolina, and Washington all on the road.
LA doesn’t have a great offense which only averages 2.15 Goals For Per 60. They also have the second worst Goals For Above Expected with a -11.08, only behind Toronto. The Kings are generating a ton of shots on goals with the 3rd highest Shots on Goal per Game but, haven’t been able to capitalize. Another issue is that they’re averaging .58 less goals for on the road than at home this season (2.88-2.30).
Defensively, the Kings have been much better with a -16.76 Goals Against Above Expected which leads the League. They’re only averaging 1.82 Goals Against Per 60 (4th). They will be without one of their top guys tonight with Alex Edler, who’s out indefinitely. Jonathan Quick is expected to get the start in net tonight with a +14.8 GSAx this season. He has been great this year despite struggling last season.
Picks:
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING 3-WAY LINE (-120)
The Lightning have been great at home all season and face a Kings team who have struggled on the road. Tampa Bay is coming off a tough loss and should rebound here. While the Lightning haven’t been the dominant team they were last year, they are still a very good team.
This bet is only a go is Vasilevskiy gets the start in net.
Other Plays for Tonight:
SAN JOSE SHARKS (-130)
NEW YORK RANGERS / COLOARADO OVER 6.0 (-120)
Best of luck, and as always you can find me on Twitter @GatorBetting and Instagram @Gator_Sports_Betting.
