Around the NHL: Predictions for December 11th

There are eight 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: Flyers over Red Wings.
The Philadelphia Flyers are on quite the streak. With their 4-2 triumph over the Stars yesterday, the orange-and-black have won eight games in a row, and will go for nine on the road against the Red Wings. They have not won eight consecutive games in a season since 2001-2002. It’s been a while.

Steve Mason has a .930 save percentage during his personal seven-game win streak. After a horrendous start to his season, it would appear as though Mason is back on track.

The Wings are 1-5 in their last six home games. The opener to this five-game homestand they are on was a 4-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Jimmy Howard replaced Petr Mrazek in the loss to the Jackets. Howard has said he is ready to start, and though Mrazek is still listed as the projected starter today for Detroit, I would expect Howard in net.

Groin injuries are very hard to rebound from for goaltenders, for obvious reasons. Mason is currently the projected starter after playing against Dallas.

Prediction: I say why not? The Flyers are rolling, the Wings are slumping, and the line is slanted the opposite way. Take Philly to win. Play the over.

The Game to Watch: Devils vs Rangers.
I’m at the point where I simultaneously get it and don’t get it.

New York will be going with Antti Raanta for the third game in a row tonight against the rival New Jersey Devils. On the one hand, Raanta has been very good this season, and his latest performance against the Chicago Blackhawks was nothing short of brilliant. On the other hand, that is the exact reason why the team signed him in the first place: to provide relief as a very good backup goaltender on nights were Henrik Lundqvist needs a break.

To believe that Raanta all of a sudden is a better goaltender than Lundqvist because Raanta has had a good few starts and Lundqvist has had an “off” week is a fallacy. Henrik Lundqvist was, is, and will continue to be a generational talent who will give this team the best chance to win night in and night out. No slight to Raanta. Hank is better. Start Hank.

So the Rangers better win tonight. If not, I will lead the mob pitchforks and torches in hand to Alain Vigneault’s office. If they do win, I’ll still lead the charge because Lundqvist is the number one and believing anything else is dumb. DUMB.

New Jersey dropped both legs of a tough back-to-back against Montreal and St. Louis earlier this week. They have been having their own problems with their starter Cory Schneider, as he is 9-7-4 this season with a 2.72 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage. They are letting him play through his recent struggles. Why? Because he’s elite and is bound to recover.

Take notes, Mr. Vigneault. The hot hand fallacy is a fool’s trap.

Taylor Hall has eight points in his last four games. Expect him to light the lamp again tonight.

Prediction: The Rangers have had a lot of trouble finding the back of the net without their top-tier talent, but they still find themselves winning games. Take the Rangers to win a tight game. Play the under.

Other Game Notes Around the NHL

Senators vs Ducks: The Sens have won their last four tail-ends of a back-to-back. The Ducks rise to the occasion against good road teams, winning their last four against teams with a winning road record. This oughta be a good matchup between two solid teams.

It won’t be an offensive showcase, however. The under is 5-1-1 in the last seven twin-bills for Ottawa. The under is also 7-1-4 following a win for Anaheim.

The Ducks are looking to sweep a three-game homestand after beating the Hurricanes in a shootout and the Sharks by one.

Prediction: Take Anaheim to win a close one. Play the stone-cold under.

Canucks vs Capitals: Believe it or not, the Canucks are 11-5 in recent years against Washington. I would not bet on history tonight, however. The Caps have won three in a row and Vancouver is mired in a five-game road trip.

The only chance the Canucks have tonight is if they score first. They have had so much trouble generating offense early in games this season that it affects their entire game’s effort.

Thatcher Demko is currently the projected starter on LeftWingLock. The 21-year-old was called up after Ryan Miller, who made 38 saves but left his last game early. If Demko does get the start, that will be fun to watch.

Making a debut against Washington on the road is trial by fire, though.

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