This is what I am taking tonight.
EDM/CLG -5.5 (-130) .65 to win .5 Units
Both teams lost significant contributors in both goals and points and didn't really add anything to replace them. Weight is a big loss for EDM, and even with Bure and Stillman (40+ goals and 100+ goals combined and traded in the last year), the Flames were one of the worst scoring teams in the league. Salo is good and the Flames definitely improved at G with Turek. That matchup and the lack of any proven offensive production makes me like the under in this one.
COL/PIT -6 (-110) .55 to win .5 Units
Give me Roy and a total under 6 anytime. In addition to the fact that COL has a good D and outstanding goaltending, I really don't think that 1st line of Beech, Lemieux and Richer are going to be very productive right off the bat. They have a good 2nd line, but losing a 4 time Hart trophy winner, 52 goals and 69 assists in Jagr is going to hurt the Pens a lot on offense. Boughner is a good addition for them on the blue line and should help them have an improved defense. I always like having to have 7 goals to lose, so -6 looks good here. I am also taking COL -.5 (+100) .5 to win .5 Units in this game.
Also, I may add TOR/OTT -5.5. I am torn cuz I like the matchup of Lalime vs. Cujo, and OTT lacks the offense of last year with Yashin gone. But they have a couple of key defenseman out and the addition of Molginy improves Toronto's offense. Probably will pass on that. Plus, I don't want to take the under on every game on the board. Don't want to push it.
An explanation on how I wager. I always play "to win" 1 unit. So on a -130 line I am laying 1.3 to win 1 unit. I don't change that cuz I always get burned going bigger on a game I feel more strongly on. As my bankroll increases (hopefully), that 1 unit might be bigger though. Rarely I will do a "what the hell" parlay of 4-5 teams for $10 or $20, but I do not do that much in NHL. HOWEVER, for the first couple of weeks I am playing 1/2 a unit on everything until I get a better feel for the teams with all of the offseason movement. Good luck to everyone.