There are four NHL games on the docket tonight. Let’s take a look at the top picks, plays and predictions.
| Panthers vs Islanders ML +105 / -125 O/U 5 |
Canadiens vs Jets ML +115 / -135 O/U 5.5 |
| Penguins vs Capitals ML +105 / -125 O/U 5.5 |
Sharks vs Flames ML +105 / -125 O/U 5 |
Here are tonight’s starting goaltenders, courtesy of LeftWingLock.
Panthers vs Islanders: The Islanders have a bit of a good-news bad-news scenario going on this week.
The bad news is that they will be losing their black alternates after this season, as Adidas is doing away with third jerseys next year. Aww. They join the black-and-grays and the Gorton’s Fisherman in the long line of retired, ugly-as-sin Islander jerseys.
The good news is that the Islanders are returning home to the Barclays Center after a disastrous four-game road trip. Brooklyn collected four of a possible eight points from the trip, which does not sound bad- that is, until one considers that they dropped two games in extra time to the two worst teams in the league, Colorado and Arizona.
Nathan MacKinnon snapped a five-game Avalanche losing streak by netting an overtime winner against the Isles. The next night, the Coyotes ended a nine-game losing streak, with Louis Domingue winning his first start since November 8th.
Against the two worst teams in the league, the Isles managed two goals.
Florida shutout the Devils Monday night at the Rock in one of the dullest games I have watched all season. Florida led 1-0 with just over a minute left in regulation before netting two empty-netters to put New Jersey away 3-0. The Devils were flat and boring, while the Panthers were not burying their chances. They were just 1-for-6 on the powerplay.
On the plus-side, Roberto Luongo moved into fifth place on the all-time wins list, which is pretty awesome.
The Isles have won their last seven games returning home after a long road trip, but if they play like they have the last few days? They won’t be getting much tonight. Expect a stone-cold under play, which incidentally has hit in each of Florida’s last seven.
Prediction: Take the Panthers to win. Play the under.
Canadiens vs Jets: Montreal just cannot seem to beat the Capitals on their home ice. Washington bested the Habs at the Bell Centre 4-1 Monday night to win their 10th game in 11 trips to Montreal.
The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for the Canadiens. The upside is that in the last four games following a loss by three or more goals, Montreal is undefeated. They are also 4-0-1 in their last five road games.
Amazingly, five of their last six road games have gone into overtime, but none of them have gone into the shootout. God bless 3-on-3!
Winnipeg has started off 2017 quite well, winning three of their first four games of the year. Even in their first game without Patrik Laine, they managed to pull off a 2-0 shutout of the Calgary Flames. I don’t know if it was a “win this one for Patrik!” kind of scenario, but either way, it’s pretty impressive.
The home team has won the last four meetings between these two teams.
Prediction: Despite the Jets’ winning ways of late, I don’t see their success without Laine lasting for too much longer. Take the Habs to win. Play the under.
Penguins vs Capitals: I do love me a good Pens-Caps game.
How could you not love this rivalry, really? Sid vs Ovi alone is worth the price of admission, but factor in a healthy hatred between Metro rivals jockeying for top spot in the division and you have yourself one great rivalry. Between the regular season and their last playoff meeting, five of their last nine games have gone into extra time.
Both sides will be without a key piece, it would seem. Phil Kessel and Trevor Daley have both been battling illness of late, and their availability for the game is questionable. T.J. Oshie is dealing with an upper-body injury for Washington and is questionable for the game.
Regardless, this is an exciting game. Pittsburgh trounced the Lightning on home ice in their first game of 2017. Washington is streaking once again, collecting their sixth consecutive win Monday against the Habs. That makes them 15-1-3 in their last 19 games, dating back to December 3rd. That’s a lot of points.
The only possible advantage that I can think of is that the Penguins are more rested. After a week-long break, the Penguins got two days off after their Sunday game against Tampa Bay. No excuses for coming out flat in this one.
Pittsburgh has played one game over the same span in which Washington has played five. Streak aside, fatigue must count for something.
Prediction: Take the Penguins to win. Play the over.
Sharks vs Flames: Calgary is still clinging to the top Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. How much longer they will be there is uncertain, but who knows. The Flames have won four of their last five home games, finally bringing their record in Calgary to over .500.
They will need their fortunes on home ice to continue, as five of their next six games are at home. Their lone road game is against Edmonton, who has struggled at home just as much as Calgary.
But that’s looking too far ahead. Tonight, they catch the San Jose Sharks, who are on the tail-end of a back-to-back.
This will be the third meeting between these two teams, with the season series split. This is the first encounter in Calgary. The last game in Canada was a 2-1 overtime win for the Sharks last March.
Prediction: Take the Sharks to win. Play the over.
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