We finally have enough plays available for a true Three-Play Thursday. These have been tough to create for several months now, because Thursday just doesn’t have enough options unless you’re willing to roll with MLB plays, which I haven’t done.
Wednesday had a light slate, but the Islanders did come through nicely for me in shutting down the Rangers. Let’s see if we can find some winners tonight.
EARLY NHL PARLAY: BRUINS ML, SENATORS TTO 3.5, SABRES ML, +340
Don’t read too much into Buffalo getting waxed in Seattle. The Sabres were on their fourth game of the northwest swing and had nothing left for the Kraken after winning at both Edmonton and Calgary. They’re coming home to play Montreal and should be back to what they showed before that last game.
Boston has dominated Detroit for the past several seasons, and with the Bruins leading the league in faceoff wins and the Red Wings 30th in that category, the Bruins should create a lot of chances. Finally, Ottawa’s offense looks great at home. The Senators haven’t failed to score four goals at home yet in 2022. They’ll face Minnesota, which leads the league in goals allowed at 5.4 per game.
LATE NHL PARLAY: CAPITALS TTU 2.5, OILERS-BLACKHAWKS O6.5, MAPLE LEAFS ML, +535
Backing a Capitals under takes either guts or foolishness. But Dallas has played excellent defense this season and Washington has looked rather weak away from home. The Caps only have four goals in two games away from home ice, and the Stars should be eager to bounce back after losing at Ottawa.
Edmonton should be thrilled to play a more open style in Chicago after grinding past St. Louis, and the Blackhawks are no offensive slouches themselves. Finally, Toronto has been a great under play this season. But with both the Leafs and Sharks sending their backup netminders out tonight, that play worries me. Instead, I’ll lean toward the more talented Leafs to get out with a win.
FOOTBALL PARLAY: WASHINGTON STATE +7.5, VIRGINIA TECH-NC STATE UNDER 41.5, RAVENS-BUCS UNDER 46.5, +430
Once again, people don’t want to think that Tom Brady could possibly lead a bad offense. But that’s what’s happening here, as the Bucs are proving to be a mess. Tampa Bay has played poorly over the past several weeks, and it’s the offense that has been to blame. Washington State plays very well at home and should keep the margin within a touchdown against Utah, and Virginia Tech and N.C. State are both defense-heavy teams. Don’t expect too many points there.
