The MilkMob (+140)
My Cup Size Is Stanley (-200)
Over 7.0 (-120)
Under 7.0 (-120)
Notes: I’m not sure totally sure what to call this matchup between Team Milk and Team Boobs. The Breastfeeding Bowl? Actually that sounds about right so let’s go with that. MilkMob will be missing co-captain Jordan Dickson along with Danny, Shirtless Rob and Dana. Cup Size seems to have a mostly full lineup minus Chap and Leeb and is the highest scoring team in the league but the MilkMob have been stout defensively all season, using their speed and tenacity to shut down opposing forechecks and having APK to clean up the garbage that does get through. Caleb being a last minute in is huge for their cause, but this is a tough matchup for the MilkMob with so many absences against an offensive powerhouse. The people will no doubt be pulling for Milk, but I’ve got Boobs by two. Fitting, really.
My Cup Size Is Stanley (-1.5 Goals) (EVEN)
The Sharks (+1.5 Goals) (-145)
Over 7.5 (-130)
Under 7.5 (-110)
Notes: This is a rematch of last week’s insane opening game where Cup Size, down 4-0 late, staged a furious rally to not just win, but somehow win in regulation. This time around the Sharks will be better prepared I’m sure but with their goalie situation still somewhat up in the air (UPDATE: it’s Doug), it could be a similarly disappointing evening, especially with Alex Merone, Sebastian and Kev also out. This game, along with most of the ones on tonights slate, has serious playoff implications as The Sharks really need at least one regulation win, if not two, to have any shot of climbing out of the play-ins. Everyone still has a shot at the cup, but each extra game you play makes it just a little bit tougher (unless you’re the Lavendar Llamas, that is). That said, that team does form a solid blueprint for this purple squad to follow and not just because I was the last believer in either of those teams. It’s going to be a closer matchup than people probably think. I’m taking purple to cover.
Halloweenies (+3.0 Goals) (-105)
The Sharks (-3.0 Goals) (-135)
Over 6.5 (-110)
Under 6.5 (-130)
Notes: Storer is a GTD making this line extremely difficult to predict. The Halloweenies have struggled since opening night but have been competitive on games where they have their big 3. The one game without them…well, that was rough. If he can make it in the weenies will have a decent shot against a shorthanded purple team. If he’s out, this game might get ugly barring some insane heroics from Joe, McCracken or a hero to emerge from the supporting cast. This line is subject to change as word of Storer’s availability trickles in through the wire but I have to think purple has a great opportunity here. They’ll also have Ridzik in net rather than Doug most likely. This line assumes Storer is out; if he’s in, it’s the same line but -1.5 rather than -3.0. Either way, Sharks to win.
Sexperts (+1.5 Goals) (EVEN)
Flickin’ Bean (-1.5 Goals) (-145)
Over 7.5 (-120)
Under 7.5 (-120)
Notes: Both teams are wildly shorthanded in this one and we were really close to getting some regular season 4v4 action, but alas it was not to be. Instead we will have super short benches on both sides with Fitz, Tommy, Rys and Joe Mosk out for pink while blue is without Sam, Liang, Cardello, Jenna, Geskin, Len…it’s rough. Goalie sub is likely Ridzik and female sub is likely Rose but either way this is probably going to be a high scoring shootout and I could really see it going either way. These were the top two teams in the power ranks and while we were robbed of a heavyweight showdown with potential playoff preview vibes, this should still be a fun one. I have to favor pink given the tenor of the lineups and the absences but even with players missing this should be the game of the night.
Tropic Thunder (-3.0 Goals) (-120)
Halloweenies (+3.0 Goals) (-120)
Over 6.0 (-130)
Under 6.0 (-110)
Notes: Same situation as the earlier game – this line assumes Storer is out. If he, Joe and McCracken are all in, it shifts to 1.5 and honestly would be a fun matchup between two of the top goalies in the league and with the speed of Storer and Joe causing all types of issues for Tropic Thunder who are high on skill but short on top end speed. Scott’s uncertain status makes this another super tricky game to handicap but with no knowledge of whether he can make it or not, I have to favor camo again. Love the orange big 3, but Tropic should take this down and comfortably move themselves out of play-in range.
Tropic Thunder (-265)
Red Sabbath (+175)
Over 6.5 (-110)
Under 6.5 (-130)
Notes: On paper, this game is an easy win for Tropic Thunder as they’ve been consistently ranked higher than red in power rankings, sportsbook projections, points per game…you name it. But under the hood I actually think this could be a tougher matchup than you might think. Red is a tough squad to prognosticate: I don’t think they’re necessarily better than most teams, but I have grown to respect their all-around game. They’ve got speed, depth and the goalie wildcard which is basically another season of Sonj. So it’s tough to favor them in this one when I do think camo has a better roster top-to-bottom, but I also think red is likely to cover any spread I put in as they seem to either win or lose every game by one goal. It’s likely to be a low scoring battle and there’s a real possibility of a soul-crushing OT which keeps me at the rink past 11:30 PM which would be really devastating. Either way, give me Tropic Thunder to win by one and move into the top four in the standings.