There are eight NHL games on the docket tonight. Let’s take a look at the top picks, plays and predictions.
| Canadiens vs Flyers ML -140 / +120 O/U 5.5 |
Senators vs Lightning ML +125 / -145 O/U 5.5 |
| Rangers vs Sabres ML -130 / +110 O/U 5.5 |
Oilers vs Predators ML +120 / -140 O/U 5 |
| Jets vs Stars ML +115 / -135 O/U 6 |
Blackhawks vs Coyotes ML -167 / +135 O/U 5 |
| Maple Leafs vs Blues ML +100 / -120 O/U 6 |
Sharks vs Canucks ML -150 / +130 O/U 5 |
Here are tonight’s starting goaltenders, courtesy of LeftWingLock.
The Game to Watch: Canadiens vs Flyers.
When the Montreal Canadiens played the New York Rangers a few weeks ago, the MSG Networks crew could not stop talking about how this was a potential playoff matchup. After all, the Canadiens have the Atlantic Division’s top spot all but locked up, and the Rangers are falling behind the surging Capitals, Penguins and Blue Jackets.
What they were not counting on is a late push by the Philadelphia Flyers, which is entirely possible.
The Flyers are seven points behind the Rangers in the Wild Card standings, with the Rangers also holding a game in hand. It certainly is a comfortable lead for now, but New York is trending in the wrong direction. Even though the Flyers have had an abysmal month or so now, if they catch fire they could easily sneak into the top Wild Card spot.
Which would mean a first-round matchup against the Montreal Canadiens in the NHL playoffs. Probable? I would say not very. Possible? Oh yeah.
Regardless of whether these two teams play each other in the postseason, these are two playoff-caliber teams going toe-to-toe. Montreal trounced the Buffalo Sabres in their first game back from the All-Star break. The Flyers dropped a clunker to the Carolina Hurricanes.
The break allowed the Habs to get healthier. David Desharnais and Andrei Markov both returned to the lineup after absences due to injury on Tuesday, and the word is that Alex Galchenyuk will be back in the fold tonight. They have weathered the storm and still lead the Atlantic by nine points.
Philly will need to play on their home-ice advantage. The home team has won nine of the last 10 meetings between these two teams, and Philly has dominated the Farg when playing Montreal for years now.
What will hurt the Flyers is their depth, or lack thereof. Brayden Schenn is ill and is questionable for tonight, while Michael Del Zotto is nursing a lower-body injury that has forced him out of the last three games.
If one of those guys is out tonight, let alone both, it will be a major loss for the orange-and-black.
Prediction: Take the Canadiens to break the trend and win one on the road tonight. Play the under.
Other Game Notes Around the NHL
Rangers vs Sabres: It’s said that when you hit rock bottom, you bounce. Well, now would be a good time for the New York Rangers to pack on some Flubber.
The Rangers were humiliated on home ice by the Columbus Blue Jackets, allowing six unanswered goals before finally answering back with a few of their own in the third period. A 6-4 final does not accurately depict just how shoddy an effort this was out of the Rangers.
Perhaps I’m too harsh. There were a few bright spots in the game. Their names were Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider and Rick Nash. Beyond that…not much to celebrate. Kevin Klein, though he finally netted his first of the season, was atrocious. Henrik Lundqvist was yanked at 3-0. Alain Vigneault refused to play Russian phenom Pavel Buchnevich, for some reason.
It’s a mess.
So now, the NHL’s winningest road team will venture up to Buffalo to take on Jack Eichel and the Sabres. Buffalo is tied with Detroit for the bottom spot in the Eastern Conference, but don’t let that sucker you. They are plenty dangerous, and have taken it to the Rangers twice already this year.
The Rangers have won five of their last six in Buffalo. However, the Sabres are on a four-game home winning streak.
If New York wants a win, they need to up their game on the powerplay. They are 0-for-15 on the powerplay over the past five games.
Prediction: It would be catastrophic for the Rangers to lose three games to the Sabres this year. Take the Blueshirts to win tonight if only just because they need to. Play the over.
Jets vs Stars: Ondrej Pavelec is in net for the Winnipeg Jets tonight. Pavelec has started in five games this season and has somehow won three of them despite allowing three or more goals in every single start.
I don’t care for Pavelec. Neither should you as a better.
Even though the Winnipeg Jets have been finding the back of the net lately (26 goals in their last six games), they cannot possibly keep up that clip forever.
The Jets scored 12 goals in two games against Dallas in Winnipeg this season. In their first meeting in Dallas, the Stars held them in check and won 3-2.
With home ice on the Stars’ side, and Dallas’ offense heating up too, I like the green-and-white in this one.
Prediction: Take the Stars to win. Play the over.
Senators vs Lightning: Here’s a fun stat. The Ottawa Senators have won their last five contests following games in which they scored five or more goals. Translation: they prove that their offense is not a fluke and keep on rolling.
That should be encouraging, considering their last two games in which they scored five or more were losses. They tallied five but gave up six against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday, and surrendered seven goals after scoring six last week against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
On January 17th, the Sens beat the Blues 6-4 and shutout the Jackets the next game. After losing to the Jackets 7-6, Ottawa shutout the Caps.
Things usually tighten up the next game for Ottawa.
Which is good for games against division foes. The Lightning continue to be one of the NHL’s biggest disappointments, as they lost their first game back from break 4-3 to the Boston Bruins. A must-win turned into a must-forget.
The Bolts are 1-5 in their last six. Though the season series usually favors Tampa, the Sens will likely be turning the tides tonight.
Prediction: Take the Sens to win. Play the under.
Maple Leafs vs Blues: I will regurgitate what I said after the New York Islanders fired Jack Capuano earlier this season. This is arguably the most important game for the Blues this season. Forget their rivalry matchups, forget the Winter Classic, this game against a non-conference opponent is their biggest test.
St. Louis fired head coach Ken Hitchcock, who had already announced that he was leaving the team at the end of this season back before the 2016-2017 campaign began. General manager was broken up at the press conference, and the newly promoted Mike Yeo was clearly affected as well.
This is a statement game for the Blues. They need to assert themselves, on home ice, against a young and fast team. Mike Yeo is not known for being a particularly fiery guy, but I expect a lot of emotion out of this team going forward.
The Blues are 1-5 in their last six. They also dismissed goalie coach Jim Corsi.
Prediction: To slow the Leafs roll will be tough. But for no other reason than emotions running high, take the Blues to win tonight. Play the over.
Oilers vs Predators: The Nashville Predators have the Oilers’ number. They have won the last seven meetings between these two teams, dating back to the beginning of the 2014-2015 season.
Nashville won the first installment of the season series not long ago, besting Edmonton in the shootout in Canada. Now, the series comes to Tennessee.
The Preds are on a five-game home point streak, 3-0-2 in that span. Their next three games will be at the Bridgestone Arena. They will be looking to fire up their offense once more. Ryan Johansen entered the All-Star break red-hot, as did Filip Forsberg. Even though he participated in the All-Star weekend, a few extra days for P.K. Subban to recuperate and recharge his batteries can’t be a bad thing.
Roman Josi is inching towards a return, but will remain out of the lineup tonight.
Edmonton was crushed at home by the Minnesota Wild Tuesday in their first game back from the break. They will now play three road games in four days before taking another five days off for their bye-week. They will be playing in some very tough buildings along the way, heading to Carolina tomorrow night and Montreal Sunday afternoon.
Without Josi in the lineup, the Preds’ powerplay has suffered. They will need a big game from their top line and from Subban to contain the potent Oiler young’uns.
Prediction: Take Nashville to win. Play the over.
To make a play on these predictions, or any other NHL bets, visit our sportsbook at https://www.betdsi.eu/gms- hockey.
