There are 12 NHL games on the docket tonight. Let’s take a look at the top picks, plays and predictions.
| Bruins vs Sabres ML -135 / +115 O/U 5 |
Devils vs Capitals ML +180 / -210 O/U 5 |
| Maple Leafs vs Lightning ML +120 / -140 O/U 5.5 |
Canadiens vs Panthers ML -105 / -115 O/U 5.5 |
| Blackhawks vs Predators ML +113 / -125 O/U 5 |
Islanders vs Wild ML +165 / -200 O/U 5 |
| Blue Jackets vs Jets ML -125 / +105 O/U 5.5 |
Red Wings vs Senators ML +128 / -155 O/U 5.5 |
| Avalanche vs Stars ML +163 / -200 O/U 5 |
Ducks vs Flames ML +105 / -125 O/U 5 |
| Kings vs Oilers ML +115 / -135 O/U 5 |
Rangers vs Coyotes ML -175 / +145 O/U 5.5 |
Here are tonight’s starting goaltenders, courtesy of LeftWingLock.
Play of the Day: The over in Blue Jackets vs Jets.
Well, if it was not apparent before, it’s blatant now. The Columbus Blue Jackets’ offense is not playing around.
The Jackets extended their win streak to a baker’s dozen Tuesday night with a 4-3 victory over the Boston Bruins. Columbus leapt out to a 3-0 lead within the first 10 minutes of the opening period. Goals in rapid succession from David Backes and Austin Czarnik cut the lead to one heading into the second. With time winding down in the middle frame, David Krejci evened things up.
With just over nine minutes remaining in the third period, Nick Foligno banged home his own stuff-in try on the doorstep. The powerplay goal put the Jackets on top to stay, as they managed to stave off the Bruins and take home the victory.
Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 37 of 40 shots.
So here we are. The Jackets are tied with the Rangers and Penguins for having the most wins in the league, though they have four games in hand on both New York and Pittsburgh. They have the second-most potent offense in the league while also having the second-most stingy defense in the league.
Their powerplay is tops in the NHL, operating at a 27.1% success rate.
The over is all but a guarantee tonight.
Winnipeg has a team goals-against average of 2.84, 20th in the league. They will be rolling out Mike Hutchinson tonight in goal, who has a goals-against average of 2.96.
The Jets still have offensive talents like Patrik Laine, who sits second in the league Richard Trophy race. Mark Scheifele has four points in his last four games, though it looks like his surprise bid to be the league’s leading scorer is dead.
Prediction: Though Columbus has lost their last four against the Jets, take the Jackets to win tonight. Play the over.
The Game to Watch: Blackhawks vs Predators.
Nashville is still trying to set the fire under their feet so they can make their march to the postseason. They currently sit two points behind the L.A. Kings for the second Wild Card spot with a game in hand. They are just 4-4-2 in their last 10, but they are hoping that the third time’s the charm on their home ice. The Preds lost the first two installments of this three-game homestand against critical opponents in the Kings and the Wild.
The absence of P.K. Subban has been hurting the Predators. Even though he was pointless in his last four games with a -5 rating, Subban is still among the best offensive generators from the blueline in the game. He is currently tied for sixth in the NHL among d-men in goal scoring with seven. His three goals on the powerplay are tied for fifth in the league.
The Preds announced that Subban would miss “at least” two more games with an upper-body injury. That would mean that he would miss tonight and tomorrow’s game against St. Louis.
Of course, the next game after that is Nashville hosting Subban’s old team, the Montreal Canadiens. So you best believe he’ll be back by January 3rd.
Chicago has a point lead on Minnesota for the Central Division’s top spot, though the Wild have three games in hand. With the Wild’s winning streak reaching 11 games, the Hawks want this game badly to stay on top.
Nashville has taken four of the last five games against Chicago in Tennessee. The home team has won 10 of the last 12 meetings.
Chicago has surrendered the first goal in seven of their last nine contests. Given Nashville’s success on the man advantage against them this season, if the Preds strike early, they could finally gain the momentum they have been looking for.
Prediction: Take the Predators to win. Play the over.
Other Game Notes Around the NHL
Islanders vs Wild: The Islanders are trying desperately to patch things back together. After a miserable stretch in the middle of December, they are back on the horse with a three-game winning streak.
So of course, just as the Islanders are getting things together, they go on the road to face a red-hot team.
The Isles started the month 3-0-1. What happened then? They ventured into Columbus, got smacked 6-2 and lost five games in a row. And now they have to try and stop the streaking Wild? Timing is cruel.
They will be countering Devan Dubnyk with Jaroslav Halak. These are two goalies on the opposite end of the statistical spectrum. Dubnyk is the Vezina frontrunner, having one of the best seasons by a goaltender in the modern era. Halak has a 3.12 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage, which is certainly less than stellar.
At least Ryan Strome has been fun to watch.
Prediction: Take the Wild to win. Play the under.
Rangers vs Coyotes: The Blueshirts better hope they do not have too many starts like Tuesday’s going forward. The Rangers fell in a 3-1 hole early and clawed their way back to win 4-3 over the Ottawa Senators. Yes, the Sens blew a 3-1 lead. Insert Cleveland joke here.
Antti Raanta will be in net for the Rangers tonight as Henrik Lundqvist continues to battle the flu. Brandon Halverson has been recalled from the AHL in the eventuality Raanta spontaneously combusts.
Arizona has lost their last four home games and their last five overall. They have also lost 14 of their last 17 against the Rangers.
Anthony Duclair snapped a 22-game goalless drought netting his second goal of the season against Dallas Tuesday night. He promptly smooched his stick.
This is a game the Rangers should win. Should being the operative word.
Prediction: Take the Rangers to win. Play the under.
Kings vs Oilers: This arduous nine-game road trip is finally coming to an end for Los Angeles tonight. The Kings wrap up their trip clinging to a Wild Card spot with Dallas, Winnipeg and Nashville breathing down their neck.
Los Angeles is 3-3-2 on the road trip thus far. Though they took the Blue Jackets to a shootout and the Stars into overtime, they have come out the loser in four of their last five.
This is, surprisingly enough, the first game for the Oilers since returning from the holiday break. They have had almost a whole week off since their last game, a 3-2 overtime loss to the Sharks.
Seeing as the Kings played last night, I will pick rest over a back-to-back any day.
Prediction: Take the Oilers to win. Play the under.
Devils vs Capitals: The Devils stink away from New Jersey and they have lost their last seven against the Washington Capitals. ‘Nuf said, really.
Prediction: Take the Caps to win. Play the under.
Bruins vs Sabres: The Bruins have won their last five against the Buffalo Sabres, as well as their last five in Buffalo.
Though they have lost three of their last four (once in overtime), Boston should not be discouraged. They fought back admirably after it looked like their game against Columbus would be a blowout.
The Sabres snapped a four-game losing skid with a 4-3 win on the road against the Red Wings Tuesday.
Prediction: Take the Bruins to win. Play the over.
