The puck plays have been on a nice run since we fired them up a few issues back. Last week we were able to come up with four winners, and we had one pass, with the five plays we highlighted. The one pass was on the Senators on Tuesday night. We had them as a potential play over the Oilers, with the caveat we added being it was only a go if Edmonton did not lose the previous night in Montreal. No way we wanted to be going against an Oiler team that would be highly focused on a win after dropping a game to an inferior team, and now facing a team they are better than. Edmonton had an ugly outing vs. the Canadiens, and did what we thought would happen if they were on the wrong side of that result – they went into Ottawa and dominated them.
So we wrapped up a 4-0 record and head into this week’s action with five plays we like.
More NHL Plays – we’ll be posting more NHL plays throughout the week in the Winner’s Edge Patreon.
Good luck!
Record: 11-3
Profit: +10.81 units
Friday, November 22nd
Buffalo vs. Anaheim
Both teams have been in better form recently, with the Sabres winning on the regular, and the Ducks actually doing sort of the same, which has been unusual for them. Goaltending has been a strength on both sides, in particular Lukas Dostal in Anaheim. He’s the current leader amongst tenders in goals saved above expected. Buffalo comes in off a shutout upset vs. the Kings. While the Ducks can get cold offensively, we’ll back them as a home underdog, relying on their recent form keeping the puck out of their net, catching a Sabres team off a big win.
Play: We’re on the Ducks.
Saturday, November 23rd
Minnesota vs. Calgary
This is another play based on an “if that, then this”. The Wild have been money on the road all season, boasting an 8-1-2 record at this point. You’d have to be crazy to step in front of that record…gulp. Here we go. Minnesota will be playing their third game of this three-game road trip. They won the first leg, beating the Blues, and played in Edmonton on Thursday night. Here’s the “If” part that will determine if this is a play. IF the Wild beat the Oilers on Thursday, this is a play on the Flames here. IF the Wild lose on Thursday, this will be a hard pass. Calgary has been good at home. They can match up vs. this Wild team, that we feel, if they did get the win vs. the Oilers, might be feeling pretty good about the road trip, and not quite up to the energy level we expect from this home side. Calgary has been getting very good goaltending, and playing solid defensively on home ice.
Play: We like the Flames at home if the set-up is there.
Colorado vs. Florida
We’ve been looking forward to this one, and will definitely be setting aside the time for a cold one, maybe wings, and watching three hours of what we’re hoping will be entertaining hockey. And boosting that entertainment meter will be having some action on the game. We’ll be backing an Avalanche team that, if you look closely, is starting to round into form after a very choppy start to the season. They’re getting key players back, which means players slotting back into top six forward roles, pushing other players back down into the bottom six, where they’re most comfortable and effective. Looking at the Colorado forward lines now, it’s impressive. They’re going to be a matchup problem for most teams, including vs. a Panthers team that has been struggling defensively and in goal.
Play: We’re on the Avalanche as a small road dog.
Dallas vs. Tampa Bay
The Stars will likely be a small road favorite, we’re expecting something in the range of -110, or -115. As most of you who have been following these picks know, we’re typically playing underdogs, and rarely road favs. In this spot, we like the matchup edges for a Dallas team that is a very tough out for opponents, vs. a Lightning team that continues to struggle vs. all levels of competition. Should be a bit of value on the visitor laying a small number.
Play: We’re on the Stars
Monday, November 25th
Dallas vs. Carolina
Focusing on another Stars game, this time we’re on the other side. The Hurricane are back home after playing six of their last eight games on the road, including their last three. We like them in this spot vs. a good Dallas team, which should give us a nice number on a home team that can match up with the Stars lineup. Carolina should be right around -120 (maybe a bit less).
Play: We’re playing the Hurricanes.