Around the NHL: Predictions for October 24

There are just two games on the docket tonight. Here are the top picks, plays and predictions.

Here are tonight’s starting goaltenders, courtesy of LeftWingLock.

Flyers vs Canadiens: The Philadelphia Flyers have had some missing faces on their blueline. Radko Gudas has one more game to sit out thanks to his six-game suspension. Michael Del Zotto has returned to practice after dealing with a lower-body injury. On the forward lines, Scott Laughton has been sitting out with a lower-body injury and should return within a week or so. Dale Weise will be missing out on his return to Montreal because he too will be serving a suspension for an illegal hit.

Picking up the slack has been Matt Read and Wayne Simmonds, both on four-game goal scoring streaks. Claude Giroux has six helpers already as well.

Jakub Voracek is three assists shy of 300 for his career, for those keeping track. He has 19 points in 19 career games against the Habs, so a big night is not out of the question here.

Shea Weber has made a splash with his new team. In his opening five games, Weber has a goal, four assists, and a +8 rating. His possession metrics have taken a comparative dive from his days with the Nashville Predators, but he has been putting points on the board and the Habs have been winning games. Montreal took the first installment of their series against the Bruins on Saturday with an impressive 4-2 victory, with Weber collecting an assist.

Alexander Radulov got his first assist of the season in that game as well. The controversial Russian Winger has a goal and an assist thus far, consistently racking up around 17 minutes a game.

Philly will be starting Steve Mason in net against Carey Price. Mason’s start to the season has been rough, though he finally picked up his first win of the season Saturday against the Hurricanes. He has allowed at least three goals in all three starts this season, and allowed two on 11 shots in a relief appearance.

Carey Price, meanwhile, has been solid in his return to NHL action. In his two starts, he has stopped 46 of 50 shots, and has looked like he has not skipped a beat. Montreal actually leads the league in goals allowed per game with a 1.60 GAA.

In the tale of the tape, the Flyers hold the advantage- barely. Philly is 4-1-3 in the last eight encounters between these two teams.

Until Mason finds his footing in the Flyers’ crease, and until Philly gets everyone back in their lineup, this game looks to be advantage Montreal.

Prediction: Take the Canadiens to win. Play the over.

Flames vs Blackhawks: This game is going to be a beatdown. Take it to the bank, the Chicago Blackhawks are going to demolish the Flames tonight. If Calgary somehow pulls this out, I will be astonished.

Calgary has been horrible this year. They are 1-4-1, and have been the worst in the league at keeping the puck out of their own net. Their team goals-against average is 30th of 30 at 4.33.

Their offense has been fine enough to keep pace, though their powerplay is worst in the league, coming in at 4% efficiency to start the year. That’s 1-for-25. Not good.

Brian Elliott will get the nod in net tonight for the Flames. He has not exactly been the savior in net that Calgary hoped he would be. Ells sports an 0-3 record with a 4.72 goals-against average and a .839 save percentage. Yikes.

And to top it off, they will be on the road tonight and tomorrow for a back-to-back against the Blackhawks and Blues. It’s a tough time for the Flames right now.

Chicago will only have to go through the motions to get a W here. They are 3-3, which is fine considering they have played some stiff competition to start the year. They narrowly edged out the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday.

There really is not too much else to say. Don’t go against the Hawks here. I would rather look like a fool when the Flames pull one out tonight than risk throwing away my money on a sucker team. I would rather throw my money into actual flames than bet on the Flames much this year.

Prediction: Take the Blackhawks to win. Play the over.