NHL: In Monday matchups we’re siding with Devils, avoiding Flyers

Blackhawks (16-22-9) +130 @ DEVILS -155 (17-20-7) 7 pm
Pick: Devils money line

The Blackhawks are an interesting team this year. They’ve been consistently in the basement of the Central Division and they are currently in the middle of a 3-game losing streak but they faced playoff teams in all three of the defeats (the Flames, Predators and Golden Knights). All of these losses also occurred at home. Their goal differential is also in the bottom 5. With all that said, they still managed to snap the Penguins insane winning streak last week. They aren’t a team to be taken lightly.

The Devils on the other hand saw Marcus Johansson return to the lineup in their “gritty” win against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday. F Nico Hischier had himself a game as well notching a goal and an assist. If he can mimic that type of play tonight, this one should be a no brainer. The Devils don’t consider themselves out of the hunt despite their current place in the standings. Look for them to fight for all 60 minutes tomorrow and take this one from the Blackhawks.

Wild (22-19-3) -125 @ FLYERS +105 (16-23-6) 7 pm
No Pick

This is a game we wouldn’t touch with a 10-foot pole. The Flyers are an atrocity this season so even though this is one of the matchups they should win, we just can’t in good conscience recommend you take them.

The Wild on the other hand can play with the best of them. They are 5-4-1 in their last 10 but have just been very streaky and inconsistent. This month they’ve beaten Toronto and Winnipeg, two elite teams in this league. But, they’ve also lost to far worse teams such as the Blackhawks and the Red Wings. Maybe it’s a pattern, maybe its not, but we want no part of this one.