We have 10 NHL games on the docket tonight. Let’s take a look at the top picks, plays and predictions.
| Hurricanes vs Sabres ML -105 / -115 O/U 5 |
Flyers vs Devils ML +110 / -130 O/U 5 |
| Penguins vs Blue Jackets ML +100 / -120 O/U 6.5 |
Wild vs Canadiens ML +110 / -130 O/U 5 |
| Ducks vs Senators ML -120 / +105 O/U 5.5 |
Blues vs Lightning ML -110 / -110 O/U 5 |
| Bruins vs Panthers ML -115 / -105 O/U 5 |
Kings vs Predators ML +110 / -135 O/U |
| Maple Leafs vs Avalanche ML -140 / +130 O/U 5.5 |
Jets vs Canucks ML -120 / +100 O/U 5 |
Here are tonight’s starting goaltenders, courtesy of LeftWingLock.
Play of the Day: Senators over Ducks.
The Ottawa Senators return home after a brief road stint. They are currently riding a three-game winning streak as they turn their attention to the Anaheim Ducks.
The Ducks have had a pretty up-and-down week. Their volatile performance has led them to trounce Ottawa in California, then allow six to the Stars two days later. They edged out Boston by a goal, then again let up six in a loss to Detroit. Once again, they narrowly beat Toronto by a goal only to be lit up by Montreal the next night.
Anaheim has won nine in a row after allowing five or more in the previous game, for what it’s worth.
Bobby Ryan is on a four-game goal scoring streak. That is the longest such streak since his days as a Duck back in 2009.
Ottawa plays conservative hockey. If they are to win, they have to remain disciplined against one of the best powerplay units in the league. The Ducks have the second-best success rate on the man advantage in the league. Even if the Sens are 14-for-15 on the kill of late, they have to stay out of the box.
Prediction: Go with the Sens to win at home. Play the under.
The Game to Watch: Penguins vs Blue Jackets.
This is absolutely the best game on tap tonight, and the oddsmakers know it. The line gives only a slight edge to the home Blue Jackets, with the over/under set at the highest I have ever seen it set in my time here at 6.5.
Vegas expects a scorefest. And really, that would just be the most appropriate way for this to go down.
The winner gets sole possession of first place in the Metro Division. Pittsburgh, with two points, would become the President’s Trophy frontrunners. Two points for Columbus would pull them into a tie with the Chicago Blackhawks for top team in the NHL.
Columbus has officially overtaken the New York Rangers for best goal differential in the league at +38. This 10-game win streak has brought out the best in Jackets hockey, even if many of the games were against some of the weaker teams in the league. Alexander Wennberg is quickly emerging as a legitimate top-line center. Zach Werenski is doing all he can to be included in the Calder conversation with Patrik Laine and Auston Matthews. Sergei Bobrovsky has been lights-out.
My god, we could be seeing John Tortorella’s name in Jack Adams talks at the end of the year. Granted that particular award is flawed as heck, but still.
Cam Atkinson was seen in a walking boot after blocking a shot last game, but word is it is purely precautionary. Atkinson is currently riding a seven-game point streak. Linemate Brandon Dubinsky has five points in his last six games.
Lucky for Columbus, Kris Letang will be out once again. Letang is a Jacket-killer for sure, but there are plenty of other weapons at Pittsburgh’s disposal. Their speed and skill up and down their lineup embarrasses and exploits slower defensemen. If you need evidence, check out their abuse of Dan Girardi and Ryan McDonagh in their last game against New York.
Phil Kessel has 17 points in his last 15 games. Leading scorer Evgeni Malkin has nine points in his last six. Sidney Crosby is Sidney Crosby. Even Bryan Rust has nine points in his last nine games.
If the offense does not get you excited, the goaltending battle should. Bob could be the first goaltender to reach 20 wins this season with a dub tonight. Matt Murray has the second best goals-against average and save percentage in the league.
Something to keep your eye on is the over/under. Yes, there will be scoring. But a 6.5? I would never bet the over on a 6.5. You’re asking too much of teams going up against some of the hottest goalies in the league.
Prediction: Take Pittsburgh to snap the streak. Play the under, but expect a battle.
Other Game Notes Around the NHL
Wild vs Canadiens: Speaking of goaltender battles, Devan Dubnyk and Carey Price will be squaring off tonight at the Bell Centre. The Wild are on an eight-game winning streak. However, even a three-game road win streak has not been enough to bring them to the .500 mark as the visiting team.
Montreal, of course, is the winningest team in the league on their home ice. They own a 15-2-2 record as the home team. The Habs have won 10 of their last 11 home games against teams with a losing road record as well.
But the big show tonight is still Dubnyk-Price. It will likely be the finals for the Vezina Trophy, if everyone stays healthy. Dubnyk is 16-6-3, leading the league in goals-against average (1.55), save percentage (.948) and shutouts (5). Those are video game numbers.
Price, meanwhile, is 18-4-2 with a 1.86 goals-against average and .936 save percentage. Not too shabby. He is 14-2-2 at home.
Prediction: The home team is 6-1 in the last seven encounters between these two teams. Take the Habs to win. Play the stone-cold under.
Flyers vs Devils: Told you there was nothing to worry about. The Flyers stopped their micro-skid of two consecutive losses with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals in the skills competition last night. They have now won 11 of their last 13.
Contrast that with the New Jersey Devils, who have emerged the loser in 14 of their last 17 games. They are sinking to the bottom of the Eastern Conference, as just one point separates them from the last-place Islanders.
Not only are they losing, they are getting blown out. They have allowed four or more goals in seven of 10 games this month, winning just one of them. They are sixth-worst at keeping the puck out of the net in the league and fifth-worst in scoring. That is a recipe for failure.
The line favors Jersey because they actually have a good home record at 8-2-2. Take a chance on Philly anyway. Cash in on the Devils’ awfulness.
Prediction: Take the Flyers to win. Play the over.
Jets vs Canucks: Vancouver has won seven of their last eight against the Jets on their home ice. This includes Tuesday’s matchup, in which the Canucks overcame a rough, undisciplined first period to rally back and win 4-1.
Pretty odd to see the same teams in the same location in three days, normally it would be a home-and-home or at least like a week separation between the games. I’ve noticed that from the NHL this season. What’s up with that, guys? Perhaps they are just looking to build some animosity between two non-divisional teams.
Vancouver’s home record is not awful at 10-5-2. A win would give them 33 points, which would actually still be in the hunt for a Wild Card spot. The difference between the East and West this year is absurd.
Prediction: Take the Canucks to win. Play the under.
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