Around the NHL: Predictions for November 26th

There are nine games on the docket tonight. Let’s take a look at the top picks, plays and predictions.

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

Play of the Day: Blue Jackets over Panthers.
The Columbus Blue Jackets just keep coming up with surprises. They are hanging right with the Pittsburgh Penguins for the third divisional spot in the Metro, picking up a huge two points in Tampa Bay last night.

They are fourth in the NHL in scoring differential as well, coming in at +16. A 10-0 victory will help that out, but nevertheless, it’s still impressive to maintain that number. With Sergei Bobrovsky likely back in net tonight, they are poised to take both legs of a Florida back-to-back.

Five different Jackets tallied a goal last night, with scoring coming at all three strengths. They peppered Ben Bishop with 38 shots on goal. Cam Atkinson, Alexander Wennberg and Nick Foligno all found the back of the net, as the three of them are now tied for the team lead in points with 19.

Florida was one of the few teams (possibly the only team, I’m too lazy to look) with the luxury of three days off for the holiday, with no games on Wednesday or Friday.

It was probably the league’s way of resting the old bones of Jaromir Jagr. Jagr has just two goals and seven assists through 20 games. After leading the team with 66 points last season, this has been a disappointing dropoff for the mulletted 44-year-old.

I heard Joe Micheletti on the MSG Networks broadcast of the Rangers-Panthers game from earlier this week that Jagr has been struggling with his sticks? What even does that mean?

Regardless, the Panthers are 4-1 in their last five when they get three or more days of rest.

However, Columbus usually does pretty well for themselves when their games come in bunches. They are 8-2 in the fourth game of a four-in-six scenario. Not only that, they have won 11 of their last 14 games against the Panthers.

Prediction: Take the Jackets to turn a few more heads with a win tonight in Sunrise. Play the over.

The Game to Watch: Wild vs Blues.
The Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues are two perfect examples of how home-ice advantage has effected teams in this young NHL season. The Wild are 7-3-0 in Minnesota this season, coming off a beating of the Penguins last night 6-2. However, they are just 4-4-2 on the road this season.

The Blues are the home team tonight, where they are 8-1-2. They are 3-6-1 on the road this season. Crazy.

Looking beyond the obvious play of the home team in this one, the over looks to be an enticing play as well. The under is 5-1-1 in the last seven Wild road games, but they will be starting backup Darcy Kuemper tonight. Kuemper has allowed three or more goals in three of his four starts this season.

The Blues’ offense is picking up, potting at least three goals in each of their last six games. Perhaps the only reason I see the over hitting is because I don’t see St. Louis being limited to under three goals against Kuemper and a visiting Wild team. An empty netter could put things over the top.

Prediction: Take the Blues to win. Take a chance at the over tonight. I see 4-2 as the final.

Other Game Notes Around the NHL

Canadiens vs Red Wings: The Detroit Red Wings managed to stave off what would have been a frustrating defeat last night at the Rock. Jimmy Howard, who has been posting stellar numbers this year, left the game with a groin injury. Almost as soon as Petr Mrazek entered the game, the Devils scored the tying and go-ahead goals in the second period. The Wings fought back and took the lead again, but an Adam Henrique tip-in sent the game into overtime.

Mike Green ended the game with a wrist shot from the hashmarks, giving the Red Wings their fifth road win of the season.

The Montreal Canadiens lead the Atlantic Division, by virtue of their having played twice as many home as road games. They are 12-1-1 at the Bell Centre. They are just 3-3-1 on the road.

It should be noted that Carey Price has only started one game on the road. He will be getting his second crack at things tonight in Detroit, where the Wings have lost five of their last six home games.

Prediction: Goaltending makes all the difference. Take the Habs to win. Play the under.

Capitals vs Maple Leafs: The Leafs are yet another team effected by the home-ice conundrum this year. Though they are 7-3-0 in Toronto, they have just one victory in 10 road games. That’s just absurd.

In Toronto’s last game, they blew a 3-0 lead on the Devils at the Rock. Their offense was rocking, putting up six goals in three straight home games. They followed it up with six goals total over their next three overall. They will need to get back on track, and it starts with Mitch Marner and James van Riemsdyk, who have not found the scoresheet in three games.

Doug Gilmour apparently offered his number to Mitch Marner. Marner declined, but that’s a remarkably generous offer. For a city that was so high on William Nylander last season and Auston Matthews this season, teams better not forget about Marner, another star in the make.

The Caps have won their last five against the Leafs. Home ice or no home ice, the better team is the way to go here since the line is even.

Prediction: Take Holtby and the Caps to win. Play the over.