5:00 Thoughts part 1

MINNESOTA AT BOSTON

MINNESOTA 4-1 vs BRUINS last 5 played. WILD won 6-2 at home on December 14th 2025, in latest matchup. Always like to keep an eye on this matchup as when the Wild come to town. Both teams come into this matchup off wins and are in playoff position. BOSTON holds the final playoff spot by a single point so they certainly need this home win. Wild in an interesting spot as I expect Bill Guerin's boys to be highly motivated for their GM in this matchup. Minnesota is ending a 3 game road trip here in Boston then return home for a nice break, not playing again until March 2nd. Teams with playoff aspirations this time of year are not likely to put forth a poor effort before scheduled time off. I expect a big effort from the road team in this situation. BOSTON 26-10-1 at home, MINNESOTA 21-10-4 away, PLAY on MINNESOTA ML

NEW JERSEY AT CAROLINA

CAROLINA 5-0 VS DEVILS last 5 played. CAROLINA won 4-1 in New Jersey on January 17th 2026, in latest matchup. New Jersey has been hot lately going 4-1 last 5 played with 3 wins in their last 4 and the other loss by just one goal. Those wins came against Nashville, Dallas, and New York, sandwiched between a loss to Washington. Here's the problem, this is game 5 of a 5 game road trip, the DEVILS play VANCOUVER at home tomorrow night. I think New Jersey is looking forward to getting home.. New Jersey has more injuries of significance than Carolina heading in todays game. This matchup has been dominated by Carolina going 8-2 their past 10 played. As a matter of fact, Carolina has won 5 straight against the DEVILS winning by 2+ goals in 4 of those victories. CAROLINA 25-9-2 home, NEW JERSEY 10-17-0 away PLAY on CAROLINA -1.5.

SAN JOSE AT COLUMBUS

COLUMBUS 3-2 VS SHARKS last 5 played. SAN JOSE won 5-2 in San Jose on January 6th 2026, in latest matchup. San Jose has now lost 6 games in a row, with 2 of those losses coming on their current 3 game road trip. San Jose plays again Sunday night at home. This is a bad spot for the Sharks, as they are simply spoilers down the stretch here, Columbus is fighting for their playoff lives. Things are different in Columbus since January 6th in Columbus with the hiring of their their new head coach. Columbus has been one of the hottest in the league the past 25 games, picking up 38 points, second to only Buffalo's 39. I expect a top effort from Columbus after a 1-2 road trip, losing their last game 2-1 in Montreal on Wednesday. The team returns back to COLUMBUS, inspired by their home crowd after holding onto that final playoff spot. No doubt the home side will be ready to roll against an un interested foe.  COLUMBUS 20-8-7 home, SAN JOSE 15-19-2 away. PLAY on COLUMBUS ML

DALLAS AT PITTSBURGH

DALLAS 4-1 VS PENGUINS last 5 played. DALLAS won 3-2 in Dallas on December 7th 2025 in latest matchup. Pittsburgh is precariously in a playoff spot with 88 points while Dallas has clinched a playoff spot already with 97 points. Pittsburgh has the motivation for a win in this spot. Penguins likely without top scorers Malkin and Crosby for this game, but Dallas has injury concerns of their own with Hintz, Faksa, and Steel out, and Rantanen questionable. Stars have lost 4 in a row against the Islanders, Devils, Knights and Wild with 2 of those losses coming at home, scoring has certainly become an issue for Dallas. Pittsburgh returns home in off a shootout victory over Ottawa on Wednesday. The Penguins had lost 2 in a row prior to the win in Ottawa, those losses came against Carolina and Colorado. Think the Penguins are hungrier right now and need this win. Dallas is a good road team. so this will be a tight battle. PITTSBURGH 17-11-8 home, DALLAS 21-8-7 road. PLAY on PITTSBURGH ML

BOL today 

The schedule maker isn't that cruel. The Sharks have the day off tomorrow before hosting the Blues on Monday night.

I think it's a worse spot for the host Blue Jackets who are looking dead ahead to tomorrow when they have another late afternoon date, this one in Boston where they'll be looking to avenge a 4-2 loss there from one month ago. in the crowded East standings, the Blue Jackets sit just one point behind the B's.

@MrBator

 Thanks for pointing that out, that Sharks game is Monday night, I still like the home side in this one, Sharks playoff hopes fading fast

I don't expect the Sharks to play with disinterest in today's outcome. A long flight home following a winless road trip is the worst. A win, on the other hand, is hugely comforting. They'll wanna win.

I went with the Sharks +170. Hopefully they at least give me a root.

Well, they didn’t. Instantly losing with the Sharks.

@MrBator

 its early

The Sharks are outshooting the Blue Jackets 34-21 but the game remains tied midway through the 3rd.

Igor Chernyshov blasted home the winner with only 1:25 to go, and that was after the Sharks hadn’t had a shot on goal in quite awhile.

Here’s something I did not know yesterday, and it’s a darn good thing I didn’t.

Prior to yesterday, the Columbus Blue Jackets were a perfect 8-0 at home this season when facing a team that defeated them on the road in their previous meeting. 

They lost 5-2 in San Jose on January 6th.

They also lost 4-2 in Boston a month ago. Yesterday I was against the Blue Jackets, but today I’m on them -149.