Happy Wednesday Night Rivalry, where there is literally only one game worth a salt in the lineup tonight. With three games to choose from and only one game of any consequence, let’s take a look at the day’s top picks, plays and predictions.
| Maple Leafs vs Capitals ML +248 / -280 O/U 5.5 |
Blackhawks vs Red Wings ML -115 / +104 O/U 5 |
| Canadiens vs Ducks ML +184 / -205 O/U 5.5 |
Here are today’s starting goaltenders, courtesy of LeftWingLock.
Play of the Day: The over in Canadiens vs Ducks.
The over is a safe play in virtually every game tonight. It’s a night that makes me reminisce about my podcast with fellow staff writer here EJ “The Rainmaker” Garr, because someone like him is surely salivating over the possibility of the Grand Salami being a hit for the over tonight.
Anaheim has scored 31 goals over their current eight-game win streak, which averages out to almost four goals per game. They are 7-0 in their last seven at home, and 6-0 in their last six against teams with a losing record.
Their most recent victory came at home on Sunday against the Los Angeles Kings to the tune of a 4-2 score. Ryan Getzlaf extended his point-streak to 11 games. Corey Perry netted a hat trick. David Perron scored a powerplay goal, furthering his success since moving out to the West Coast.
The over is 5-0-1 in Montreal’s last six games against teams with a winning record. More often than not, the Habs are on the losing end of that tilt. Last game was a 6-2 loss at the hands of the San Jose Sharks. In the past few days, they have dealt away Dale Weise, Tomas Fleischmann and Devante Smith-Pelly for Phillip Danault, Stefan Matteau, and draft picks. Danault will slide into the third line, with Matteau on the fourth.
It’s pretty evident at this point that Montreal’s season is over. They are seven points out of the second Wild Card spot and falling. They are completely and utterly inept outside of the comforts of the Bell Centre. Their last road trip was a sound thumping by some of the worst teams in the league. Their tour of California is shaping out to be similar.
Prediction: Take the Ducks to win. Play the over.
The Game to Watch: Blackhawks vs Red Wings.
This is the winner by default. Blackhawks-Red Wings was a more intense rivalry when they were in the same division, but whatever. Original Six, playoff teams, bad blood, yadda yadda yadda.
Chicago’s first day with the new toy worked out pretty well. Andrew Ladd picked up a powerplay assist against the Washington Capitals in a 3-2 victory. The top line of Ladd, Jonathan Toews and Andrew Shaw was full of life and generated a solid number of chances for their first time together as a unit. Ladd mostly played with Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa back in 2010 in his last stint with the Hawks. Shaw was not yet a part of the organization.
The win was hugely important to Chicago, who had an underwhelming month of February. Their lowlight came in the Stadium Series game against Minnesota in a 6-1 clunker.
Detroit is in a three-horse race for two divisional spots in the standings with Tampa Bay and Boston. They currently sit in the top Wild Card spot, a point behind Boston. Tampa is three points ahead of the Wings. After a four-game skid, the Wings have picked up three wins in a row, their latest on the road against the Stars.
Rookie Andreas Athanasiou introduced himself to the Dallas defense by scoring a pair of goals, including a beaut of a backhand. Jimmy Howard put up his second consecutive remarkable performance, making some highlight reel saves and stopping 39 of 41 total.
Petr Mrazek will be in net taking on Corey Crawford. “Mrazzle Dazzle” has been day-to-day with a groin injury, but appears to be good to go.
Prediction: The home team is 4-1 in their last five encounters and the Hawks are 1-4 in their last five in Detroit. Take the Red Wings to win at +105. Play the over.
Other Game Notes Around the NHL
Maple Leafs vs Capitals: There really is not much to detail about this game. Toronto has shut down James van Riemsdyk and Joffrey Lupul for the remainder of the season and they have dealt away most all of their assets, including starting goaltender James Reimer.
The one notable item of this game will be the return of Brooks Laich in a visiting uniform. The longtime Capital was dealt on deadline day to Toronto in exchange for Daniel Winnik. Laich was beloved for his hardnosed play and visible leadership on and off the ice. His scoring numbers are actually a lot better than one might anticipate, as he hit 20 goals three times in his career and 15 goals two more times. From the plethora of behind-the-scenes shows about the Capitals on HBO and Epix, Laich seemed like a very popular personality in the locker room. So, that will be a nice moment.
His team is still going to get walloped.
Prediction: Take the Capitals to win. Play the over.
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