January 31st, 2020 | The Hockey Betting Podcast
The latest edition of The Hockey Betting Podcast has Brian Blessing and Cam Stewart taking a look at key games for Friday, January 31, Saturday, February 1, and Sunday, February 2, 2020 – and a few 2020 NFL Super Bowl LIV betting props. After the NHL All-Star and collective bargaining breaks, all of the NHL teams finally return to the ice this weekend for a phenomenal lineup of action. Perhaps the top game is the Saturday CBC Hockey Night in Canada Battle of Alberta re-match from Wednesday between the Flames and Oilers in Calgary. And Super Sunday’s NBC showdown of the Penguins and Capitals from Washington looks every bit as good. Listen to the latest edition of The Hockey Betting Podcast to get all of Brian and Cam’s picks.
Friday, January 31st 2020 NHL Schedule and Betting Odds
Detroit Red Wings at New York Rangers -210, 6
The Dead Wings have the worst goal differential in the entire NHL at a whopping minus-90. Detroit has won only four of their 25 away games this year. The Wings have lost nearly double the money vs. the odds compared to the next worst team this season. They rank dead last for goals for and goals against. But the Rangers could be an ambiguous and expensive favourite with six losses in their last 10 games and a rather ordinary home record of 13-10-2. The price is too high for the guys in this one.
Philadelphia Flyers at Pittsburgh Penguins -170, 6 (SN)
Alain Vigneault’s Flyers have won four of their last five to remain just a point behind Carolina for the final playoff spot in the East. Pittsburgh is in good form with six payouts in their last eight games and a home ice mark of 18-5-3. Cam will pass on this game.
Washington Capitals -190, 6.5 at Ottawa Senators (RDS)
The Caps begin the weekend atop the East with a three-point lead over Boston. Washington has come away with the cash in four of their last five. Pesky Ottawa is 12-8-5 at home but has dropped eight of their last 10. Cam likes over the total.
Vegas Golden Knights at Carolina Hurricanes -140, 5.5
Vegas has a precarious two-point lead over Nashville for the final playoff spot in the West. The Golden Knights have been on break since January 21. Carolina has won five of their last eight and is 17-8-1 on home ice. The Canes rank fourth in the NHL for goals against and third for the penalty kill. Brian likes over the total with Malcolm Subban between the pipes for Vegas. Cam agrees and also likes Carolina to win.
Boston Bruins -160, 6 at Winnipeg Jets
Seven NHL teams have already changed coaches this season, and Winnipeg’s Paul Maurice is on one of the hottest seats in hockey. Winnipeg has lost six of their last seven and is three points out of the final playoff spot in the West. The Jets are under water at 20th in the NHL for both goals and goals against while ranking 28th for penalty killing. And they are a disconcerting 11-11-2 at home. Boston has paid in five of their last eight. Brian likes the price on home dog Winnipeg and Cam agrees.
St. Louis Blues -130, 6 at Edmonton Oilers
The Oil is coming off a 4-3 shootout home loss to the arch rival Flames and may be peaking ahead to Saturday night’s rematch in Calgary. Still, Edmonton has won five of their last seven. While St. Louis had paid in only one of their last four. Brian thinks the Oil could be in both a look ahead and letdown spot here. Cam likes under the total.
Tampa Bay Lightning -190, 6 at Anaheim Ducks (SN)
The Bolts have picked up the pace with seven wins in their last 10 games. They also have had time to relax in Southern California after a 4-2 win at the LA Kings on Wednesday. Anaheim is 14th in the West and ranks next to last in the NHL for goal scoring. The guys like Tampa Bay but not the high price.
Saturday, February 1st 2020 NHL Schedule and Betting Odds
Columbus Blue Jackets at Buffalo Sabres -127 (SN)
Buffalo is fading fast with five losses in their last eight games to fall 10 points behind for the last playoff spot in the East. Columbus has not played since January 22. Brian says the Sabres score more goals in their matinee games and is leaning over the total. Cam agrees.
Vancouver Canucks at New York Islanders -152
The Isles are back from a break that commenced January 22 after losing five of their last seven games. Red-hot Vancouver has paid in six of their last seven. The guys will pass on this one.
Florida Panthers -114 at Montreal Canadiens (TSN2 and RDS)
The entertaining Panthers are the NHL’s top scoring team and have gone over the total in 30 out of 47 games. They are also surging with six wins in a row. The Canadiens have perked up with five payouts in their last seven games. However, Les Habitants are eight points out of a playoff spot. Brian leans Montreal due to recent play. Cam agrees due to the return of Brendan Gallagher.
St. Louis Blues -139 at Winnipeg Jets (NHL Network)
This is the Blues second road game in as many nights and fourth since January 27. Brian likes the Blues due to their 6-1 record in the second of back-to-back games.
Ottawa Senators at Toronto Maple Leafs -315 (CBC)
Ottawa has paid in just six of their 25 away games this season, but the Leafs are a lackluster 12-6-7 on home ice. Toronto’s third-ranked goal scoring offence figures to continuously threaten the Sens 29th ranked defence. The price on TO is not for the faint of heart. Cam says the Leafs should win, but the price is too high. He does like the over.
New York Rangers -125 at Detroit Red Wings
Detroit is 8-16-2 at Little Caesars Arena and has lost eight of their last 10. The guys really like the Rangers IF they lose to Detroit on Friday.
Dallas Stars -141 at New Jersey Devils
Coach Rick Bowness and the Stars are fourth in the West but have dropped four of their last six. Of great concern are NHL rankings of 27th for goal scoring and 21st for the power play. Dallas off-sets that with the league’s number one ranking for goals against. New Jersey is next to last in the East with the NHL’s second worst goal differential. Cam likes Dallas and the over.
Colorado Avalanche -127 at Philadelphia Flyers
The Avalanche are second in the West but may be sluggish after having been off since January 20. Cam leans Colorado while Brian passes.
Chicago Blackhawks at Arizona Coyotes -157
Arizona has a three-point lead over ninth place Nashville in the Western Conference playoff race but is in free fall with seven losses in their last eight games. The NHL’s 23rd ranked goal scoring unit is a big reason for the slump. Brian likes the over while Cam likes the Blackhawks. Cam doesn’t like to lay big prices on the Coyotes.
Vegas Golden Knights at Nashville Predators -148
Nashville can draw even with the Golden Knights for the final playoff spot in the West with a win in this one. Vegas entered the weekend with six losses in their last seven games. The Preds are a disturbing 11-10-4 on home ice. Brian leans Vegas with Marc Andre Fleury back in goal and Cam agrees, especially if they lose Friday at Carolina.
Boston Bruins -150 at Minnesota Wild
Minnesota’s Bruce Boudreau is another coach that could soon be facing the firing squad. The Wild are five points out of a playoff spot and has been on break since January 22. Brian doesn’t like the game while Cam leans Boston.
Edmonton Oilers at Calgary Flames -155 (CBC)
The Battle of Alberta resumes with a Calgary team that has won seven of their last 10. The Oil looks to gush with the NHL’s top ranked power play. Brain thinks the Calgary price is too high and sees the match-up as dead even. Cam sees another potential overtime or shootout between these teams.
Anaheim Ducks at Los Angeles Kings -127
The Freeway Face-off features the two worst teams in the West. Anaheim is in better form with three wins in their last four games. Cam likes LA and thinks they are better.
Tampa Bay Lightning -167 at San Jose Sharks
San Jose has ugly metrics of 27th for goals scored, 25th for the power play, and 28th for goals against. The Sharks have dropped four of their last five. Comparatively TBL ranks fourth for goals scored, second for the power play, and third for penalty killing. Cam likes the Lighting, especially with San Jose centre Tomas Hertl out for the year due to injury. The guys see a potential San Jose fire sale coming.
Sunday, February 2nd 2020 NHL Schedule
Pittsburgh Penguins at Washington Capitals (NBC)
NBC gets a Super Sunday marquee match-up of what could be a playoff preview.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Montreal Canadiens (SN1)
Montreal closes out its traditional Super Sunday weekend of back-to-back home games here. Will Elvis be in the building? Merzlikins had the hot hand in goal for the Jackets before the break.
Vancouver Canucks at Carolina Hurricanes
This is the second straight road game in as many days for the Canucks.
Make sure to listen to The Hockey Betting Podcast to get all of the picks and insight from Brian and Cam.
