NHL daily picks: The definition of insanity

Since it was a Friday night and it was on the West Coast, even the most ardent hockey fans may have missed how weird things got in the Canadiens-Ducks game in Anaheim. First, the Ducks took a 3-0 lead against the best goaltender in the world in the first 15 minutes of the game. Then the Habs came roaring back with a team-record 30 shots in the second period, and yet they still found a way to fold completely in the third, ultimately losing, 6-2.

Last night's action: Things were looking quite rosy for us after the Caps finished off the Red Wings 4-3 in overtime and the Jets were able to take care of business against the injury-riddled Wild. Then, the Habs happened. Either way, two out of three ain't bad.

Tonight's slate:

With a heavy slate, we are just going to preview the games with value rather than go through each contest individually.

The Flyers host the Oilers in a matinee, and even with the entire world giving up on them, Edmonton remains a bit overpriced in the betting market. The Oilers are also still missing Leon Draisaitl. The Flyers do have some injury issues of their own, with Wayne Simmonds on the shelf (UPDATE: Simmonds will play today), but they still offer some value here and are a good play at home.

The Maple Leafs are buzzing to start the year and are going to be backed heavily by the public when they take on the Senators on Saturday night. This fixture is close to a coin flip. I actually see the Sens winning it a little over 50 percent of the time, so the home team carries the value in this one.

Yep, we're doing it again. The definition of insanity. So it goes. The Arizona Coyotes, the only winless team remaining in the NHL, are a good spot against the Chicago Blackhawks. Do the 'Yotes win this one more often than not? No. But it's much closer to a 50/50 fixture than the odds suggest. Grab the Coyotes and some booze, too.

It isn't all that often that we suggest a play on a team priced like the Flames are, but with the Wild banged up and coming off a game last night, the Flames are in a good spot here and are in range for a bet.

And finally, everyone's favorite hockey team, the Vegas Golden Knights, host the St. Louis Blues in the curtain closer for Saturday night. Even with Malcom Subban as the likely starter, the Knights are underpriced against the overperforming Blues here.

Plays: Flyers -118, Senators +107, Coyotes +136, Flames -158, Golden Knights +124

(Season to date: 14-18, -1.0u)

[Photo: Sergei Belski, USA Today]

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