Gamblin'

What’s On TV Tonight, And How Not To Lose Your Money Gamblin’

Welcome to SportsGrid’s new, daily feature, where we tell you what sports are on TV tonight. Then, I do my best to help you win some money while watching. You know, if you’re into that sort of thing, and gambling is legal in your jurisdiction. Feel free to tweet hateful things at me if my advice moves you to do so. TV games are often the toughest games to find an edge on, so don’t go crazy, people. If I do recommend a bet, I’ll keep track of it, so you can tell me how awful (or wonderful?) I am. For record-keeping, we’ll assume a standard bet is $10. Occasionally, there will be 2x or 3x bets, maybe 4 or 5 if I’m feeling spunky. Good luck, America!

You’re probably all watching March Madness tonight, as there’s only one live sporting event on TV, and it’s a hockey game many of you won’t care about. For full March Madness gamblin’ guide action, check out my West Region gamblin’ guide, (Mid)west Region gamblin’ guide and East Region gamblin’ guide and South Region gamblin’ guide. I’ll post the official bets here for my super-official record, as well as hockey analysis and bonus bets.

NHL: Penguins (-150) at Islanders (+140) (7:00 p.m., NHLN)

The Penguins are not a team you want to bet against right now. They’ve won 10 straight. But they’re starting Tomas Vokoun, who likes to give up lots of goals. -150 is a bit too high of a price for me. Evgeni Malkin also gives up lots of goals, so naturally, you’d look to the over. It’s predicatbly set at 6 goals, but there isn’t a lot of juice on it, fortunately.

There’s really no reason not to like the over, except that the Penguins have clamped down defensively of late. That’s why this is a small play, but it’s still worth one. Add in the Islanders’ No. 1 power play and Pittsburgh’s equally talented PP unit, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for goals.

Over 6 (-105), $10 to win $9.52

NHL: Red Wings (+145) at Ducks (-155) (10:00 p.m., NHLN)

The Ducks are arguably the best team in the NHL. The Red Wings, despite their pedigree, have been below average. Especially on the road. There’s really no reason to like them here. I don’t love laying -155 in too many hockey games, but there’s no reason the price should be this low. Goalie Viktor Fasth has been a bit shaky lately, but the Ducks are still the much better team. Jimmy Howard has been great, too, but the Red Wings are always a much worse team on the road than at home. They are an average team at home, bad team on the road. They’re playing the best team in the NHL on the road. Fire away.

Ducks (-155), $20 to win $12.90

NCAA Tournament First Round

North Carolina (-4) vs. Villanova (7:20 p.m., TNT)

UNC -4 , $5 to win $4.55

NCAA Tournament First Round: UCLA vs. Minnesota (-3) (9:55 p.m., Trutv)

Minnesota -3, $5 to win $4.55

Bonus Bets!

NHL: Canadiens ML (-121), $30 to win $24.79
Panthers +1.5 (-135), $5 to win $3.70

Record in games actually worth risking money on: 74-57 (+$161.25)

Good luck!

What else is on: March Madness!

7:15 p.m. | CBS
Ohio State vs. Iona
7:27 p.m. | TruTV
Florida vs. Northwestern State
9:45 p.m. | CBS
Notre Dame vs. Iowa State
9:50 p.m. | TNT
Kansas vs. Western Kentucky

Lines taken from 5dimes.eu (with reduced juice) and betonline.ag