Penguins and Kraken matchups sees an exciting goaltending matchup along with the Ducks looking to surprise the Cats among Monday's four 1pm games
The early afternoon sees the Sharks and Sabres kick off an early Monday slate of hockey followed by four games that look to be some of the most exciting matchups on the day with the Cats looking to continue their winning ways after having their nine game winning streak snapped in a seemingly easy matchup against the Ducks. The surging Kraken travel to Pittsburgh to play a uber-defensive Penguins unit and the Devils travel to Beantown to take on the Bruins.
It’ll be an exciting afternoon of hockey that you can maybe sneak some minutes of while working today. If you wanna add some excitement to your work day, here are some best bets for the four afternoon games at 1:00 p.m. est.
All betting lines are from Bet365 and are subject to change. Please gamble responsibly.
Anaheim Ducks @ Florida Panthers
The Panthers had been on fire, winning nine straight games before losing to New Jersey on Saturday. Now they look to get back into their winning habits against a Ducks team that looks more like a snack than real competition. The Ducks have lost seven straight to the Cats but have been a feisty team this season. They won’t have almost any of their star players with Trevor Zegras, Pavel Mintyukov, Leo Carlsson and Max Jones all out with injuries. They should still keep things relatively close as they have covered two goals in five of their seven losses to the Cats.
Pick: Ducks +2.5 (-160)
Vancouver Canucks @ Columbus Blue Jackets
The Jackets have two wins in their last ten games and get to go up against the league’s best offense in the Canucks. The top line has been dominating opposing defenses with their 1-0 win over the Sabres Saturday being the first game in some time where a team was able to hold off the Pettersson, Miller and Boeser line. I think they play well again but not put up the production they have been as teams are catching onto them. They will need help from their second line and Conor Garland, who has 11 points in his last 14 games and should get in on a goal from either linemates Dakota Joshua or Teddy Blueger, who’ve both been hot as well.
Pick: Conor Garland over 0.5 points (+120)
Seattle Kraken @ Pittsburgh Penguins
The Kraken have made a massive turnaround since their Winter Classic win with four straight wins and no losses in the calendar year. They travel to the Burgh and play a Penguins defensive unit that had been deadly until their last three home games, where they’ve lost three straight and gave up three or more goals in each game. In their previous nine home games, they gave up three or more goals just twice and will have Tristan Jarry in between the pipes opposite Joey Daccord, who both have goals against averages under 2.58 and six combined shutouts. It’ll be an impressive game from both goaltenders, helping the game to the under.
Pick: Under 6.5 goals (-140)
New Jersey Devils @ Boston Bruins
The Devils have seemed to find themselves in high-scoring games often with six or more goals in ten of their last 13 games with Vitek Vanecek getting the start against the Bruins, who has been making headlines for his struggles. He has a 3.31 goals against average and a .882 save percentage, which places him as one of the worst starting goalies in the league. He should have a bounce back game but not enough to stop a Bruins team, who has 3.66 goals per home game average over their last nine home games.
Pick: Over 6.5 goals (+100)