NHL Hockey Betting for February 22, 2016
Four games on Monday’s NHL hockey schedule. Here are our best bets:
ARIZONA COYOTES AT WASHINGTON CAPITALS:
We admit it–it’s not easy finding spots to jump in against the Washington Capitals. It’s reached the point where the local media is complaining about ‘lack of execution’ on the power play. Lest we forget, the Caps have the #1 ranked power play in the NHL. Head coach Barry Trotz is starting to experiment with new line combinations. Not because there’s a problem with the Caps #1 ranked scoring offense–but just to ‘alleviate boredom’. Winning all the time has its own unique challenges. Washington has only 10 regulation losses this season. No other team has fewer than 17 and only six NHL teams have fewer than 20. But this isn’t the Caps’ first rodeo and they know full well that all of their regular season excellence is meaningless if they don’t go deep into the playoffs. That’s why we’re going to start looking for opportunities to play against them–it won’t be long before their focus shifts to the postseason.
The other reason is pure valuation. At the right price, every team is a ‘go against’ or a ‘play on’. At -260, the implied probability on the Caps is just over 72%. That means at this price you have to be right more than 72% of the time just to break even. Maybe if they were fully motivated that’s no big deal but they’re playing a non-conference opponent that won’t inspire them in any particular way. Arizona isn’t a bad team but they’re needing to win to stay in the playoff hunt. At this price, it’s impossible to pass up a play on the Coyotes.
BET ARIZONA COYOTES +225 OVER WASHINGTON CAPITALS
COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS AT BOSTON BRUINS:
Where have we seen *this* before? The Columbus Blue Jackets bumble through much of the NHL season but start playing well when no one is paying attention. Yep–same deal as last year. The Jackets are 6-2-2 in their last 10 games and have been off since Friday night’s 4-0 loss to Buffalo. Boston is just 12-14-3 at home and no doubt patting themselves on the pack following Saturday’s 7-3 dismantling of Dallas. Ryan Spooner and Torey Krug both listed as questionable here for the Bruins and starting goalie Tuuka Rask gets the night off in favor of backup Jonas Gustavsson. Bruins have excellent special teams and can score goals (#3 in the league averaging 3.0 per) but are just #19 in goals against. Highly vulnerable favorite against an underdog playing well.
BET COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS +145 OVER BOSTON BRUINS