Last night we regained our parlay blog championship, but the taste of victory was bittersweet. The Toronto Maple Leafs – who we can all agree are the worst – did as predicted and promised: score a bunch of goals and easily defeat our dear Buffalo Sabres.
We’re sorry, Buffalo, we bet with our heads, not our hearts, and you’re horrible in your own end. Facts are facts, and the Maple Leafs defeated the Sabres 6-3, covering the +1.5 goal spread and hitting the over in the process, as we predicted.
We’ve now started this week with a 2-1 daily parlay record and 8-1 on individual picks. With the NBA not returning to action until tomorrow and only three NHL games on the schedule, we have limited options to build today’s parlay and defend our championship.
We open our daily parlay by welcoming the worst team in the NHL begrudgingly into the parlay blog party. Twice.
Chicago Blackhawks +2.5 over Dallas Stars (-159)
While the puck line spread is not something we often go to in the multi-game parlay, we are opening today’s parlay, taking the actual worst team in the NHL to cover the spread. I know this sounds crazy, and maybe the success has gone to our heads, but follow us here because it is not as crazy as it sounds on the surface.
A puck line spread of 2.5 goals rarely gets deployed and is often used for significant mismatches, with one team who can shoot the lights out. Something like the Edmonton Oilers vs the Anaheim Ducks could get a 2.5-goal spread.
The Chicago Blackhawks are the actual worst team in the NHL and have excelled at tanking this season, save for trading its two cornerstones from a Stanley Cup-filled past. However, the Dallas Stars are not the offensive juggernaut like the McDavid’s: the Stars are ranked 14th in the NHL, averaging 3.2 goals per game.
We’ve said this before, but in an NBA context: this spread line is a lot to cover. Add to the mix that Chicago is riding a three-game winning streak while the Stars have lost four straight games. However, the Stars have won two of their last three games with at least a 2.5-goal spread and a 32-25 ats record overall.
We’re going out on a limb and adding a heightened level of difficulty to our championship defense by actually betting on the Chicago Blackhawks to cover a +2.5-goal spread.
Chicago Blackhawks vs Dallas Stars Under 6.0 (-115)
We’re not crazy for picking the worst hockey team twice to retain our championship, but we are featuring the worst team in hockey for two legs of our parlay. We’re not picking the Blackhawks on the moneyline because Dallas should defeat Chicago straight-up.
However, neither team is great at filling the net and hitting the over: the Blackhawks have a 29-26-1 over/under record, while the Stars have a 19-35-3 over/under record. Chicago is ranked 31st in the NHL, averaging 2.5 goals per game, while Dallas is ranked 14th, averaging 3.2 goals per game.
The Blackhawks have a 4-6 over/under record in the last ten, while the Stars have an 0-10 over/under record, with eight of those games having a total goals line of 6.0 or less.
Whether Dallas’ Jake Oettinger starts or not, this game isn’t likely to hit the over because the Blackhawks aren’t very good at the whole scoring thing. We’re taking the Blackhawks vs Stars and the under of 6.0 goals.
Winnipeg Jets over New York Islanders (-110)
The moneyline odds on this game are pretty even, but getting the Winnipeg Jets at -110 seems like a deal.
Winnipeg ended a two-game losing streak in their last game in Connor Hellbuyck’s excellent show-stealing performance on Broadway against the Rangers, which gave us a winning pick two nights ago. The Jets have won three of the last five games, are 5-5 in the last ten, and have a 35-21-1 record.
The New York Islanders have won two of the last three games, with both wins being over the Pittsburgh Penguins, a 6-4 record in the last ten, and a 29-24-7 record.
From a statistical perspective, the Jets are the better offensive and defensive team and should defeat the Islanders in a tight and close game, with both teams needing points to continue their playoff pursuits.
The Winnipeg Jets are joining our cast of regular parlay blog favorites, and we’re taking the Jets to get a second win in New York in three days.
All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!
* All odds provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.
Last updated:February 22, 2023 Action 247, Blackhawks, Islanders, Jets, Stars