So this is/was the longest week of the year for fantasy hockey, and came with just a few fireworks.  Bo Horvat being traded to the New York Islanders on the first Monday (while he and his family were at Disney World), then signing for 8 years, and Vladimir Tarasenko added to the Rangers' roster.

And today is finally a day that fantasy managers have to make critical judgments, and bench guys that are actually playing. 

Of course the week's climax might be in another sport tomorrow, but there are some very tempting bets to put a few dollars (or pennies, your choice) out there.  

Gold Selection:  Chicago Blackhawks @ Winnipeg Jets –  Pick – Jets to cover -1.5 goals (-140)

A rested playoff team starting Connor Hellebuyck, versus a bottom-tier squad starting a journeyman goalkeeper on the road.  Yeah, that.  Winnipeg's top-six plus Josh "Norris"-sey will feast on this match.  The Hawks are actively looking to off-load players like Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews (to these same Jets?), Jake McCabe, Max Domi, and anyone else who might bring a return.  And they played deep into overtime to beat the Coyotes Friday night.   Over their past eight matchups, the Jets are 7-1-0, and have averaged nearly five goals in those wins.  

Silver Selection: Arizona Coyotes @ St. Louis Blues –  Pick – Blues over Coyotes (-195 ML)

Is there any team in the league that needed the All-Star break more than St. Louis?   Hanging on to hope and only a few points out of the playoff hunt until early January, they limped 0-5-0 into the break, and a team with talent has become irrelevant.  Then they traded Vladimir Tarasenko and Niko Mikkola to the Rangers on Thursday.   Welcome to the Arizona Coyotes, on an 0-13-4 streak on the road, including last night's overtime loss in Chicago.  All streaks do end, but that's not the betting line today. The Yotes shut out the Blues in January, and these teams have five wins each over their last 10 contests, so this is no slam dunk bet.  Karel Vejmelka, by the way, is 8-4-1 in his last 13 home games, but 0-8-2 away from Mullett Arena since shutting out Carolina on November 23rd.

Bronze Selection:  Washington Capitals @ Boston Bruins – Pick –  David Pastrnak goal-scorer (-110)

The knock on the B's prior to the season – yes we were ALL wrong – was that they were old.   Patrice Bergeron considered retirement.  David Krejci came back for a cameo.  And the injuries – Brad Marchand, Charlie McAvoy, and Matt Grzelcyk – for sure, Boston will be mathematically out by December.  But no, they're at the top of the NHL mountain, and I personally don't envision them falling off… until the crazy second season in April or May.  At home, the Bruins are 22-1-3. Today, they'll knock Washington to the (albeit temporary) playoff sidelines with a regulation decision, a Pasta game-winner, and Side Bet #1 – a Marchand goal (+165), likely the empty-netter.  

Side Bet #2 – Colorado Avalanche @ Florida Panthers – Avalanche to win (+110 ML) No Cale Makar, but the champs rebound.

Side Bet #3 – New York Islanders @ Montreal Canadiens, Bo Horvat over 2.5 SOG (-160)

And, my only actual $ bet, new today, the PARLAY! St. Louis wins AND Mikhail Sergachev blocks one or more shots (+255)

Season Stats

Gold – fell to 5-2-0 with the Sharks upset over Pittsburgh on January 29

Silver – climbed to 2-4-1, as the Panthers bested the Bruins then, Aleksander Barkov (side bet) scoring with 2 seconds left in regulation. 

Bronze – 4-3-0

Side bets – 12-6-0

Overall, respectable 23-15-1

Stick tap

to those who provide security for the sports world.  We notice it more for the Super Bowl, but these dedicated people are under-appreciated and absolutely essential every day.  

Hockey starts at noon ET and runs 13 hours.  Have a great day.