(5-6  +2.27 units)

Devils moneyline +190  1*

This is going to be one of those days. I am either going to look like a genius, or a complete doofus. Either way, we will still be up money after tonight regardless of outcomes.

To be clear, these aren’t simply value shots in the dark.

The New Jersey Devils have struggled mightily despite receiving arguably more hype in the offseason than any team, as they still seek their first win of the season. On paper, the task does not get any easier coming into Boston to face the defending Eastern Conference Champions. However, they have a few things in their favor.

First off, the Bruins are coming off a two time zone eastward travel, which usually has a biological effect on jet lag and energy levels. Whether this affects them or not, coming back from a road trip will always be a concern as to whether players are as up to speed as their opponents who have not had to leave the East Coast since their last game.

Second, the Devils actually looked good against the Oilers, and may I even say we got lucky on the Oilers win against them in a shootout. The Devils are looking more and more like a gelling team with more exposure to each new teammate. While Boston is a high puck possession team that usually gets better as the game goes on, New Jersey may be able to break the cycle with sheer determination…not tot mention , they have a lot of talent themselves. This should be a good breakthrough attempt against a team that may have had their rhythm shaken up in the third period in Colorado on Thursday.

Blue Jackets moneyline +188  1*

The Columbus Blue Jackets are not off to a good start, and appear to be proving the critics right so far after the offseason departures that deemed them to be a much weaker team. In my opinion however, they have a team that can still compete. In all fairness though not an excuse, the Jackets started off the season against four offensively potent teams while CBJ’s defense was not quite in season form yet. Yesterday, they were thrown a curveball against an ultra defensive team, and lost the grind in a tight game 2-1 against Anaheim.

The Carolina Hurricanes on the other hand remain the best team in hockey with a 5-0 record to start, and are playing with a lot of confidence with their puck possession. Yesterday, we saw the Islanders give them a run until a couple of mental lapses late in the second period which ended up being costly for New York. Today, with both CBJ and Carolina on back to backs, expect a little less cohesion, but a very determined and gritty Blue Jackets team.

The season series was split last season, and the Jackets won their games against the Hurricanes through John Tortorella’s gritty style. Columbus does not have to match anyone in puck possession numbers to win games, as they have a very disruptive style of play that stifles offenses built on rhythm.

If Columbus can translate determination and motivation into a chippy game, they should be able to get some blue collared opportunities to score and try to win on a hard nosed style.