BEST LINES:  Pinnacle -½ +235 BET 365 -½ +240 SportsInteraction  -½ +240 5DIMES  -½ +239

Posted at 12:45 PM EST

7:05 PM EST. The win and loss columns continue to have a massive effect on the money line and therefore we have to stick with it. Sticking with it means getting behind these undervalued squads that are better than their record indicates. In that regard, the Coyotes, without question, are the best under .500 team in the league. Arizona has two wins in seven games but have been the better team in every game they have played except one. Ironically, the game they got outplayed in was their worst game of the season but its first win of the season in Chicago. In Arizona’s other six games they have dominated for long stretches, including Saturday’s 5-3 loss in Winnipeg. With any luck at all, the ‘Yotes are a one-loss team. Arizona is a puck-heavy team that ranks fourth in Corsi For % behind San Jose, Carolina and Vegas. They also have great goaltending, thus making them such a difficult out every single night.

Columbus gets Seth Jones back tonight so there is an overreaction to that. Indeed, Jones’ makes the Jackets a better team but so what. The Jackets have an 8-2 loss and a 4-1 loss in two of its last three games. Sergei Bobrovsky ranks 51st out of 55 qualified goalies (two games or more) in GSAA.

Just in case you were not aware, there were some rule changes in the NHL that has had an effect on outcomes, specifically goaltenders. In January last season, the NHL began to streamline goalie equipment to get away from every goalie wearing padding as big as possible. Last season, we saw this affect leg pads and pants. This season it’s happening to chest and arm pads. The idea is that equipment should be made to fit the goalie and force them to make saves with their skills, rather than everyone wearing inflated padding and letting it do the heavy lifting.

From NHL.com :

Rule 11.3 — Chest and Arm Pads — It states, “The chest and arm protector worn by each goalkeeper must be anatomically proportional and size-specific based on the individual physical characteristics of that goalkeeper,” then gives precise measurements for elbow, arm, clavicle and shoulder protection.

Elbow floaters have been reduced from 7 inches to 6 across the front. Bicep and forearm pads must taper — 5.5 inches to 4.5, then 4.5 to 4. Clavicle floaters cannot extend more than 2 inches above the shoulder at the lateral edge, 1.5 inches at midpoint and 0.5 inches at the medial edge. Shoulder caps cannot project laterally beyond shoulders more than 1.5 inches.

We mention this because it matters and it matters a lot. These massive goaltenders like Bobrovsky are not thriving anymore because the equipment isn’t making the majority of the saves. We’ve been saying for years that Bob is not to be trusted and now he’s not taking up the entire net with his size and equipment. He ranks 24th in Quality Save %.

The Jackets are a mediocre team that is priced like an upper-tier one. This is the year the players get sick or tired of playing for John Tortorella. Their four wins this year came against Detroit in OT, Florida in a game they were outshot in 41-32, Philadelphia (outshot 35-28) and finally, in their only legit win of the year, they beat the Avs, 5-2. Anyway, there's a reasonable explanation for why all the Blue Jackets have done is rearrange deck chairs on the Titanic: it's all they can do, as they are an average hockey team that has no business being in this price range against a team that is better than they are.

Therefore:

OT included - Arizona +135 for 1 unit.

Regulation only - Arizona -½ +240 for 1 unit.

Also, there is always the possibility that we'll be adding some late add-ons to our slate of games after dinner and we’ll be sure to tweet them out if/when we do.

Open an account today at and take advantage of their -104 style pricing on sides and totals, which is 60% better than other sportsbooks.