RA's Gambling Corner: Opening Night Picks (With Bonus Murls Pick)
What is up, gang? The NHL is finally back and that means the return of RA's Gambling Corner. It's time to sweat out Puck Line Jesus once again. All lines from Barstool Sportsbook.
PIT @ PHI 5:35 PM
PIT -112, PHI -109
TOTAL: 6 (OVER +104, UNDER -125)
PUCKLINE: PIT -1.5 +220, PHI -1.5 +235
RA's Take: For the first play of the new year, we're going to Whit's favorite place, Philly. His old team Pittsburgh is in town to renew this intra-state rivalry. When we last saw them, the Flyers and Pens looked like two teams going in opposite directions. Bolstered by a bona fide #1 goalie for the first time in ages as well as free agent signee Kevin Hayes, Philly looked like a new squad last season and in the post-season. Meanwhile, the wheels looked they were falling off the Pens before the regular season was suspended and those suspicions were confirmed when the team sleepwalked through a four-game dusting at the hands of Montreal.
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RA's Pick: Philly 4-1 (note: this is not an under wager only a score prediction)
RA's Bets: This off-season, the Flyers essentially stood pat, very content with what they have. The Pens had pretty significant roster turnover (when compared to the rest of the league) as the front office tries to find the right team chemistry. The guess is here is that Philly comes out on fire as Pittsburgh still works out the kinks. So we're on the Flyers -109 (money line) and -1.5 +235 (puck line). We're also tossing in a puck line action reverse with Philly -1.5 +235 and Colorado -1.5 +175.
Friend of Spittin' Chiclets, son of The Capital District, and 17-year pro Matt Murley will also be sharing his picks here as well. Here's his first pick of the new season.
MON @ TOR 7:05 ET
MON +115, TOR -139
TOTAL: 6 (OVER +105, UNDER -127)
PUCKLINE: TOR -1.5 +175, MON -1.5 +270
Murley's Take: Toronto should be and will be fired up. Big Joe is back in the Great White North and there is no way the boys let him down and not win this game. We all know he will have some big money on the board. Besides that motivation, Auston Matthews is an Opening Night assassin with nine goals in four openers. First night of the NHL and a big bet is mandatory. Those are the rules, ask anyone.
Murley's Pick: Toronto 4-2 (note: this is not an over wager only a score prediction)
Murley's Bet: Toronto +115 regulation only/3-way line [ed note: this means TOR needs to win the game in regulation so if the game goes to OT, the bet loses].
Good luck to all.
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