We have four NHL games on the docket tonight, three featuring cross-conference play. Here are the top picks, plays and predictions:
| Sharks vs Rangers ML -120 / +109 O/U 5 |
Avalanche vs Penguins ML +166 / -185 O/U 5.5 |
| Senators vs Red Wings ML +122 / -135 O/U 5.5 |
Bruins vs Jets ML +104 / -115 O/U 5.5 |
Here are tonight’s starting goaltenders, courtesy of LeftWingLock.
Play of the Day: The over in Sharks vs Rangers.
The New York Rangers and St. Louis Blues hit the over/under mark early in the game before the scoring tapered off. Despite the Rangers outshooting the Blues 10-0 (0!!!!) in the third period, St. Louis managed to hang on for a 3-2 victory and a push on the over/under.
New York’s top line has exceeded all possible expectations. Mika Zibanejad, acquired for Derick Brassard in the offseason, has a goal and three assists in his two games. Linemate Chris Kreider has two goals and two assists, while Pavel Buchnevich has a beautiful assist under his belt.
Buchnevich will miss tonight’s game with back spasms. Perhaps this will open the door for either J.T. Miller or Rick Nash, both of whom saw their ice time drop significantly from games one to two.
Brent Burns and Logan Couture have picked up right where they left off in the postseason. Both have three points thus far.
This game will be a shooting gallery. The Sharks have outshot opponents by a total of 69-50 in their first two games, while the Rangers hold a 74-46 shot advantage. This will be a gunslinging game, and the Rangers will go into it without Henrik Lundqvist. Antti Raanta has been announced as the starter opposite Martin Jones.
San Jose owned the NHL’s best road record last season, and tallied their first win as the visitors last game against the Blue Jackets.
Prediction: Anticipate a high-scoring affair tonight. Take the Sharks to jump on the Rangers’ backup tonight and their missing Russian kid. Play the over.
The Game to Watch: Senators vs Red Wings.
Ottawa-Detroit wins the Game to Watch moniker by default tonight, as it is the only matchup featuring two teams in the same division, or even the same conference.
Though Detroit had the Sens’ number last year (3-1-1 in five matchups), they have stumbled out of the gate with an 0-2 start. Petr Mrazek, after a spectacular season last year, has struggled to keep the puck out of the net, stopping just 60 of 68 shots. His save percentage is .889. Nevertheless, Mrazzle Dazzle will be back on the horse and between the pipes tonight.
The Senators, conversely, have gotten out to a strong 2-0 start. They have shown warts so far, most notably allowing four goals to Auston Matthews in their season opener, but they have managed to hang on for two wins in extra time. Kyle Turris netted an overtime winner against Toronto, while Erik Karlsson potted a shootout goal in Round 4 to top the Canadiens.
Karlsson incidentally has four points in two games.
Ottawa made arguably the biggest splash at last year’s trade deadline, orchestrating a seven-player deal to bring in Dion Phaneuf. Phaneuf has rewarded management with a -3 rating and a 43.8% Corsi For rating in this young season. Their defense has been their biggest flaw, and it has shown.
Prediction: Take the Sens to win. Play the over.
Other Game Notes Around the NHL
Avalanche vs Penguins: Joe Colborne with an opening-night hat trick to propel the team to victory? I think we all saw that coming.
The Avalanche nearly surrendered a 5-2 lead to the Dallas Stars before narrowly hanging on for a 6-5 victory. Eleven of their 18 skaters registered a point in the game.
Pittsburgh won their two opening games, breaking the trend of losing banner-raising ceremonies. Despite being without Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and company have been picking up the slack and then some. Their powerplay has been just as potent and Marc-Andre Fleury is showing no signs of rust.
Opposite Fleury tonight will be Calvin Pickard, Colorado’s backup.
The Avs are 1-6 in their last seven trips into Pittsburgh, and 2-8 in their last 10 against the Penguins overall. History is not on their side, but perhaps an exciting opening night victory will propel them forward.
One thing is for certain: this game will hit the over. Big time.
Prediction: Take the Pens to win. Play the over.
