Toronto vs. Montreal:
Montreal is a quiet team that should be on the up. Patrik Laine was acquired in the offseason after a miserable stint in Columbus, but will be out of action until December. Juraj Slafkovsky received an 8 year contract extension this offseason as well but I believe this contract will come back to haunt them. I firmly believe taking Slafkovsky over Shane Wright was a mistake and Slafkovsky will settle in as a mid tier player who scores 20-30 goals a year. He may put up an occasional 40 goal season but I have not seen enough out of this kid to think he will be the superstar many other first overall picks are. Montreal won’t make the playoffs this year but they should be more competitive. Toronto has had their struggles with them over the past few years as well but have taken over the series matchups winning the last five in a row. What I would like to do with this game is hit it live. This game should produce goals by both teams and while Toronto should come out on top, I am more looking forward to playing them tomorrow when they head into New Jersey. The -180 money line price tag is too rich for a home opener on the road against a major rival, and with Sheldon Keefe being fired from Toronto and going to New Jersey, there will be more incentive for the Leafs to put on a show tomorrow. Also, New Jersey will be coming back from their Global Series against the Sabres in Prague so the travel and lag should be a major effect on the 2-0 team. Let’s head into this matchup with Montreal tonight expecting a back and forth or high scoring one sided game between the two and hit the 5.5 total live once it drops from the -190 price tag.
New York Rangers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins:
This may be Igor Shesterkin’s last year in New York, and he may believe a Cup is on the horizon. He turned down an 8 year 88 million dollar contract that would have made him the highest paid goalie in NHL history. This is a ballsy move by Shesterkin who seemingly thinks he’s worth more than the 11 million a year they are offering, so if the Cup does happen, he will have that argument. In last year’s season previews I discussed how the Rangers had too many road blocks in their way to win the Cup in 2023, but I said with Carolina’s contract situations, and the Devils ahead of them, their year would be 2024. Their biggest threats this year will be New Jersey and Florida. The Rangers pushed to the Easter Conference Finals last year before losing to the eventual Cup winners so this is their make or break year in my opinion. The East is much less top heavy this year so I stand pat with my assertion that they are a main contender. We already have them and the Devils to win it all so this season should be another coast for them. I always love when they matchup against the Penguins because it usually equates to high scoring games. This team is pretty much the same as last year but Alexis Lafreniere is ready to take an even bigger step this season. Reilly Smith was the only addition the Rangers made in the off season who should contribute to their success. Pittsburgh on the other hand will be another mediocre team with big name power in their lineup. Krist Letang and Erik Karlsson are aging and Letang was exposed on too many occasions last season to provide real defensive depth to lead this team to a deep playoff run. The offensive power is enough for Pittsburgh to compete for a playoff spot this year but there are too many other improved teams in the same tier as them to have any sort of guarantee. The Penguins run is over but they will be able to provide some benefit from a betting standpoint with their scoring and lack of defense.
Calgary vs. Vancouver:
What one year of free agency can do to a team is astonishing. The Flames have not been the same since losing Johnny Gaudreau, who tragically was killed this offseason by a motor vehicle, and Matthew Tkachuk who is now a Stanley Cup champion. Jonathan Huberdeau has not been the same player since the Tkachuk trade and expecting a rebound season from him would just be high hoping. Nazem Kadri isn’t enough to lead this team anywhere significant, and with Jacob Markstrom now in New Jersey, the Flames are very limited. This is going to be a very long disappointing year for the Flames and an opening night matchup with Cup contender Vancouver will be a tone setter for them. Vancouver most likely makes it to the Cup last year if they don’t lose Brock Boeser and
Official Plays:
- 7 pm Toronto/Montreal over 5.5 -150 range LIVE: 2.5u
- 7:30 pm Rangers Team Total over 3 -145: 2u
- 10 pm Vancouver -1.5 +110: 1u
- 10 pm Vancouver Team Total over 3.5 -110: 1u
