There are three games on the schedule tonight for the end of the week with some precious points at stake. Let’s take a look around the NHL at the top picks, plays and predictions.
| Capitals vs Devils ML -175 / +158 O/U 5 |
Islanders vs Lightning ML +136 / -150 O/U 5 |
| Canucks vs Blues ML +244 / -275 O/U 5 |
Here are tonight’s starting goaltenders, courtesy of LeftWingLock.
Play of the Day: Lightning over Islanders.
The dramatic slant of the three lines tonight do not lend themselves to any particularly lucrative play. Hopefully, you were able to cash in on the Maple Leafs over the Ducks last night. So the play of the day is not so much one that bettors may be able to make bank on, but one that is the smart play in what appears to be on the surface a highly competitive game.
The Islanders finally snapped a four-game losing streak Wednesday night against the Ottawa Senators. The 3-1 victory marked the first time the Isles netted three goals in over a week. They had scored just four goals in the previous four games combined. More importantly, the Islanders were able to gain ground on the Penguins, who had their six-game winning streak broken by the Devils last night.
The Lightning are starting to regain their footing after a rough patch that extended over the first two weeks of March. They have won two consecutive games, including a commanding 6-2 home victory over the Detroit Red Wings. The Wings made the game interesting, cutting a 3-0 lead to 3-2, but the Lightning’s tenacity in getting to rebounds and loose pucks propelled them in the second half of the game.
When the Bolts have control of the puck, everyone on the ice becomes a weapon. Five different players scored in Tuesday’s game. The Panthers picked up a big win last night in Boston, but the Atlantic Division is still very much so within reach. A win tonight would put the Lightning into a points-tie with Florida with eight games remaining a piece.
Brooklyn is winless in their last five road games. Tampa has had an extra day of rest, which usually does them a world of good; they are 4-1 in their last five games with two days’ rest. What’s worse for the Isles is that the home team is 4-1 in the last five encounters between these two teams.
Prediction: Beating the Senators was a nice confidence boost, but scoring will not be so easy against Ben Bishop tonight. Take the Lightning to win. Play the under.
The Game to Watch: Capitals vs Devils.
This game has absolutely no bearing on the standings whatsoever. Washington is dangerously close to locking up the President’s Trophy. New Jersey is dangerously close to being officially mathematically eliminated, though there was not much hope for them anyway.
The storyline of this game is enticing, though. Rumor has it that Braden Holtby will be starting seven of the final 10 games on the schedule for the Caps in the regular season. The Holtbeast currently has 44 wins under his belt, meaning he needs four more to tie Martin Brodeur’s single season wins record and five to surpass. So the fact that Holtby will have his mad dash towards the record land in New Jersey tonight makes the game a bit more meaningful on each side. Washington has won three of their last four games, and will try to pot a few goals in support of their goaltender even though they could fall into the trap of complacency.
It’s a curiosity whether this New Jersey team and organization would be motivated to prevent Holtby from coming any closer to the record. Lou Lamoriello’s Devils would absolutely have that in the back of their minds, but this is a completely new organization. I wonder if it crosses their minds at all.
Prediction: The Devils have won three of four including a nice win last night in Pittsburgh, but rest will be a huge factor in this game as it will be in the Lightning game. Take the Caps to win. Play the under.
Other Game Notes Around the NHL
Canucks vs Blues: The tank is on in Vancouver. The Canucks have dropped six games in a row and are now only one point ahead behind the Maple Leafs for the top Draft Lottery position. Buffalo, Columbus, Winnipeg, Calgary and Edmonton are also right in the mix. Canada represent!
This should be a layup for the Blues at home. Brian Elliott will get the start for the Blues. Unless he literally falls asleep on the ice, he should be able to breeze through this game. He might even get his goals-against average to dip below the 2.00 mark tonight, who knows (currently 2.01).
Prediction: Take St. Louis to win. Play the over.
