Around the NHL: Predictions for February 12th

There are six games on the docket tonight, one already in progress. Let’s take a look at the top picks, plays and predictions.

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

The Game to Watch: Canadiens vs Bruins.
This will be the first Montreal-Boston matchup without Claude Julien in roughly a decade. And it could not come at a more crucial point in the Boston Bruins’ season. Boston has won both games since Julien’s dismissal, their most recent coming yesterday over the Vancouver Canucks.

The season series favors Montreal 2-1, with Boston taking the most recent installment in overtime. These are two teams trending in different directions, though. Montreal has lost five of their six games in February, with their offense only producing five goals in the five losses. They have been shut out twice by the Oilers and the Avalanche, respectively.

Boston’s offense has come alive, however. They have tallied nine goals in two games without Claude Julien, and David Pastrnak has amassed nine points in four games.

Even though both teams are on the tail-end of a back-to-back, the Bruins have not had to leave the comforts of Boston. Montreal has had to make the commute from Canada. Tuukka Rask and Carey Price were both given yesterday off, so they will be fresh.

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

Other Game Notes Around the NHL

Red Wings vs Wild: The Minnesota Wild are 3-0-1 in their last four games, as they continue this eight-game homestand. Charlie Coyle has four assists in his last three games, and is two short of 100 in his career. Nino Niederreiter has five points in his last three.

Minnesota has the individual pieces to make something really special come of this year. More immediately, they have the chance to beat up on the Detroit Red Wings. They have won 10 of their last 11 against Atlantic Division opponents.

Detroit has lost seven of their last eight road games and eight of their last 10 overall. It’s been a bummer of a season for the Red Wings, as it looks like their postseason streak is finally coming to an end.

While the Wild were resting yesterday, the Red Wings were in Columbus playing the Blue Jackets. The Wings put up a spirited effort, but could not pull out a victory, losing 2-1. Scoring is typically hard to come by on the tail-end of a back-to-back for Detroit, as the under has hit in four of the last five such games.

The over has hit in nine of 10 Wild home games, however. Expect the Wild to jump on Detroit early and often in this one.

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

Avalanche vs Islanders: Both teams were in action yesterday on the road. The Colorado Avalanche led by a goal after two periods on the New York Rangers, but allowed two goals and an empty-netter to drop yet another game this season.

Brooklyn tried to continue their run of success in Ottawa, but were stopped by the emotional return of Craig Anderson. Anderson, who had not played since early December to be with his wife dealing with cancer, stopped 33 shots in an incredible shutout.

Chalk one up to the hockey gods having a heart.

Nevertheless, the Islanders have won four of their last five home games. The home team has won the last five meetings between these two teams. Colorado has lost eight of nine trips to the Islanders’ home arena, be it Nassau or Brooklyn.

The one advantage that the Avalanche have is the Isles’ inability to play back-to-backs, which is a recurring motif in today’s schedule. The Isles have lost their last five games on no rest.

It makes this game worth a look, but I can’t remember a time when I advised to take the Avalanche and it worked out. So, they are dead to me.

Prediction: Take the Islanders to win. Play the under.

Stars vs Predators: The Dallas Stars are six points out of the postseason hunt. Other than their frustratingly inconsistent play, their inability to win on the road has handcuffed their season. They are just 7-15-4 away from home this season. Though Nashville is going through a lull now as well, they at least have the upper-hand being at home.

A win for Dallas would bring them within four points of the Wild Card. They have won two of three against the Preds this season, including an October win at the Bridgestone Arena. However, this time around they will be without Johnny Oduya and Jason Spezza.

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