There’s a full night of hockey on tap tonight with eight games for your viewing pleasure. Let’s go around the NHL for your daily dose of picks, plays and predictions.
| Blue Jackets vs Islanders | Penguins vs Hurricanes | Devils vs Blues |
| ML +161 / -179 | ML -123 / +111 | ML +158 / -175 |
| O/U 5.5 | O/U 5 | O/U 4.5 |
| Sabres vs Wild | Sharks vs Jets | Predators vs Blackhawks |
| ML +176 / -196 | ML OFF / OFF | ML +131 / -145 |
| O/U 5 | O/U OFF | O/U 5 |
| Lightning vs Avalanche | Oilers vs Coyotes | |
| ML -113 / +102 | ML +127 / -140 | |
| O/U 5.5 | O/U 5.5 |
Play of the Day: Blues over Devils.
You read that over/under line correctly. That’s a 4.5. That’s the 2015-2016 NHL for you. More specifically, that’s Devils-Blues for you.
The under is typically a safe play for the Devils, as they haven’t had combined goals of more than five since December 22nd. They snapped a three-game skid on Sunday, but have yet to solve other woes. Their powerplay is 0-for-9 the last four games.
The Blues have gotten into higher scoring contests, but they usually lose them. They snapped a five-game losing streak of their own Saturday. The 4.5 over/under may be warranted given the recent struggles of these two teams.
The absence of star forwards on each side is surely a factor as well, as Mike Cammalleri of the Devils and Paul Stastny of the Blues are expected to miss the game. Offensive defenseman John Moore is set to miss his third game in a row for New Jersey, too. But a 4.5 over/under is like a shooting star. You see it and make a wish because really, it would be too cynical not to.
The over may very well hit for one reason: backup goaltenders. Cory Schneider will be given a rare day off (again, shooting star) meaning Keith Kinkaid will be in net. Jake Allen remains out with a lower-body injury, so Brian Elliott will be getting the start. Now both of these goaltenders are very capable. However, Elliott is 2-4-0 with a 2.70 goals against average in his career against New Jersey. The Blues have allowed three goals or more in seven of their last eight games. A 3-2 game is really all it takes.
Prediction: Take the Blues with the over. A 3-2 game is not too much to ask for.
The Game to Watch: Predators vs Blackhawks.
The Predators have now had a few days with new toy Ryan Johansen to get him acclimated to the Peter Laviolette system. Getting him going at both even strength and incorporating him into the powerplay unit will be a major focal point in these next coming games. Going up against a red-hot Chicago team is trial by fire, but it’s a test to see if Johansen can continue to be a 60-70 point player in a much tougher Central Division.
The Hawks are on a seven-game win streak, and have looked dominant in the process. It is almost a given at this point that they will put up at least three goals a night. Patrick Kane struck twice in their latest victory over Colorado, bringing his point total during their win streak to 12.
After beating Chicago 5-1 in December, the Preds have lost nine of 13. They’ve given up 13 goals in their last three games. They need a turnaround, and desperately. Perhaps Johansen is the one to provide it for them.
Don’t be shocked if Nashville makes another move at the deadline for a scoring forward, though. They are one of many teams that have been linked to Tampa’s Jonathan Drouin.
Prediction: Make it eight for the Hawks. Take Chicago for the over.
Other Game Notes Around the NHL
Sharks vs Jets: The West Side Story Classic will be a fun game to watch, but no line attached removes the fun a bit. The Sharks have finally started to wake up a bit offensively, tallying 12 goals in their last two games. Winnipeg has been getting more contributions out of their top six lately, but still find themselves on the wrong end of the scoreboard at the end of the day.
Prediction: The Sharks will win this one in what should be a game driven by transition offense and odd-man breakouts. Calling a 4-2 final.
Blue Jackets vs Islanders: The Isles were banged up this weekend and suffered for it. They managed just one goal against the Capitals and Flyers combined, and really have not heard much from Kyle Okposo or even John Taveras much lately. The answer? Take on a team that has allowed four goals in each of their last four games.
The Islanders recently came to a disagreement with management as to gameday procedures. The Islanders had been asked to stay in a hotel in Brooklyn on gamedays so that they’d be able to use the Barclays Center for their morning skate. Players, including Okposo, voiced their displeasure for playing at home in road game conditions. Jack Capuano relented, allowing them to practice on Long Island in Syosset.
They lost their next home game 4-1 against Washington in a frustratingly stifled performance. Capuano will be looking for a better performance at home this time around after compromising with his players.
Prediction: The Isles will wake up a bit if they want to appease their coach. Take them for the under.
Penguins vs Hurricanes: Carolina put up four goals on consecutive nights against that struggling Columbus squad. They have been gaining confidence, but now face a tough customer in Pittsburgh.
The Penguins have been taking lateral steps since promoting Mike Sullivan to head coach. They are 4-6-2 under his control, and have been far too volatile offensively. At times, they look dominant on the puck, as Malkin, Crosby and Kessel run free. Others, they look discombobulated and frustrated, forcing plays that shouldn’t have to be made.
The Canes are 4-1 against Metro opponents lately. Their wins generally come with the under.
Prediction: At +111 on home ice, the Hurricanes may surprise the Pens who will likely be without Chris Kunitz. Pick Carolina with the under.
Buffalo vs Wild: Betting on the Sabres is a tough sell. Betting on them against the Central Division is even tougher. After a frustrating loss against the Devils on home ice, the Wild will be bouncing back hard. They have to keep pushing for that divisional playoff spot to avoid the Blackhawks in the postseason, who have been their kryptonite.
Prediction: It’s taking a big picture approach and applying it to what should be a simple play. Wild with the under.
Lightning vs Avalanche: The Avalanche are underdogs on their home ice, but not by much. At +102, it’s not much of a moneymaker. Even if they were to spring alive, the odds are still very much so in the Lightning’s favor. Colorado’s last game against the Blackhawks are the exact reason why betting on them is a bigger gamble than the lines. They let superior possession teams run circles around them and rely on capitalizing on infrequent opportunities. Note: most teams are superior possession teams.
Especially Tampa.
Prediction: The lamp gets lit often on both sides of the puck in Denver. Take the Bolts for the over.
Oilers vs Coyotes: Louis Domingue has been a pleasant surprise between the pipes for the Coyotes. Mike Smith’s absence due to injury was not really cause for alarm in Arizona, because Mike Smith is probably the most replaceable starting goaltender in the National Hockey League. After Anders Lindback proved just as feeble a netminder, along came Domingue. The 23-year old is 6-0-2 in his last eight starts.And he’s been getting the goal support. The Coyotes have scored on the powerplay in each of their last three games and are averaging a powerplay goal per game in their last seven.
Prediction: The Coyotes are getting more fun to watch with each passing game now that they have an NHL-caliber goaltender. Take them for the over.
