Before we get into some weekend matchups I just gotta pound my chest a bit: the Avs came back from their Covid pause and picked up right where they left off and the Rockies mini swept the Astros since I relegated them to the Minor Leagues. They better not get too hot and win themselves out of the Jack Leiter sweepstakes (the dude threw about 2 ½ games worth of no-hit innings to start the season). Also: Roger Goodell can dap up draft picks, so congrats on the human race for defeating covid (kinda)…let’s take a look at the weekend slate.
NHL
It’s weird trying to bet on these games when it’s the 15th matchup between two teams and they’re so familiar with each other, but if you’re not fired up to see some of the division races play out, you got a dump in your pants.
West
Avs(-160)@Blues (Saturday 12 pm PST)
Obviously, as an Avs fan I want to see us win the division, but this game has huge implications for the race for 4th between the Blues and the Coyotes. The ‘Yotes have a couple series with the Kings and Sharks left with a Golden Knights series sandwiched between, whereas the Blues have 8 games remaining against playoff teams. This is a hungry dogs run faster situation, but I’m still going to hammer the Avs -160.
East
Since Monday’s blog, the Rangers shit the bed and took themselves out of contention in this division while the Bruins got the benefit of playing the hapless Sabres 2 games in a row to get to within 4 points of the division lead. There are some absolutely monumental matchups this weekend that will paint a better picture moving forward, but this division might not be settled until the final week.
Caps@Islanders (Sat 4pm PST)
The Caps won the first game of this 3 game series in a 1-0 shootout last night, giving them a 1 point advantage over the Islanders and Pens out East. There still isn’t a line for this game, but I’ll take the Islanders before the series heads to Washington on Tuesday.
Bruins@Penguins (Sun 12pm PST)
I love the Bruins to win this division. They have 4 just games left on the schedule vs playoff teams and 4 more games vs the sabres to end the season with 2 games in hand on the rest of the teams in contention. That being said, I’ll roll with the Pens at home and hopefully get some good value with them playing a hot Boston squad.
Central
Hurricanes(-125)@Panthers (Sat 4:00 pm)
The Hurricanes are a wagon. After pumping their tires for getting a point on the road in the first game vs the lighting, they came back and shit pumped the defending champs 4-1 in the next game and beat Florida 4-2 in the first game of this series. Regardless of what happens in this game, this has been a great road trip for the Hurricanes, but I’ll take the home puppies +125.
Maple Leafs(-130)@Jets
Nobody’s touching the Leafs in the North. This game has some implications as far as who will have home ice advantage between Winnipeg and Edmondton, but I’m not betting against Toronto. Give em to me -130 or -430, I don’t care.
MLB
There are a ton of teams floating around .500 and nobody is really separating from the pack outside of the Dodgers (wagon) and the Rockies (shit show).
Brewers vs Cubs(-157)
Both teams are hot and coming into this series with sweeps over the Padres (Brew crew) and Mets (Cubs). I like the Brewers to win this series, but I’ll take the Cubs to win the first one at home -157.
Mariners vs Red Sox(-140) (9)
The Red Sox have come back to earth a bit their last 8 games after winning 9 in a row. They lost last in extras thanks to a 3 run dinger from Mitch Haniger. I’ll take the home team coming off a heartbreaking loss -140, might even sprinkle over 9 runs tonight.
Padres@Dodgers(-148)
I hate the Dodgers, but I also hate the Padres hype. Both teams can eat shit, but to make money I’ll HAMMER the Dodgers -148 and begrudgingly cash that ticket.
NBA
I’ll be honest, I still haven’t gotten into it after I said I’ll get into it. Maybe I’ll watch the Suns vs Nets on Sunday…I’m getting to it!
EPL
We did it, we singlehandedly dismantled the Super League. Great job, team! I’m now going to ignore all of the writing on the wall with Liverpool and hammer them vs Newcastle Saturday at 4:30 in the morning. YNWA
Not going to lie, I’m reeling a bit without college basketball or football in my life. I need to find some content during this barren time in sports. I appreciate ya’ll sticking through it, we’ll get through this together. Love you, bye.
The Morning Flush 