Happy Friday, everyone. There are six NHL games on the docket tonight. Let’s take a look at the top picks, plays and predictions.
Capitals vs Sabres ML -139 / +115 O/U 5 |
Blue Jackets vs Red Wings ML -132 / +110 O/U 5 |
Blues vs Devils ML Off / Off O/U Off |
Oilers vs Wild ML +145 / -155 O/U 5 |
Rangers vs Blackhawks ML +110 / -130 O/U 5.5 |
Sharks vs Ducks ML -105 / -115 O/U 5 |
Here are tonight’s starting goaltenders, courtesy of LeftWingLock.
Play of the Day: The over in Blue Jackets vs Red Wings.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are gunning for the title of best offense in the league. They are fourth in the league with 3.17 goals-for per game, while also being third in the league in goals-allowed per game at 2.17. They are second only to the New York Rangers in goal differential at +24, and with a win tonight could very well eliminate that gap (more on the Rangers later).
Columbus has won four games in a row, including four of their last five road games. The Wings, meanwhile, are 2-8 in their last 10 home games, and are winless in their last eight against teams with a win percentage higher than .600%. Basically, Detroit folds against the top teams in the league, or at least, they have of late.
Though the under is 9-2-1 in their last 12 meetings, the over is the way to go tonight. The Jackets have been rolling offensively, and the over has hit in five of their last six games against Atlantic Division opponents. The over has hit in the last three games for the Wings as well, as they have allowed five, three and three goals respectively.
Detroit needs this homestand to go well. They are on the outside looking in at the playoffs as they start this five-game stay in the Motor City. They will play Columbus, Philly, Arizona, L.A. and Anaheim- a tough stretch.
At least Jimmy Howard appears close to returning, as he was activated from the injured reserve Wednesday.
Prediction: I will take a chance on the underdog home team tonight. Take the Red Wings tonight at +110. Definitely play the over.
The Game to Watch: Sharks vs Ducks.
I love the Battle for California. These rivalry games bring out the best in Anaheim, San Jose and Los Angeles. In the last clash between the Ducks and Sharks, Anaheim edged out a one-goal victory at the Shark Tank.
The season series is currently tied, 1-1, as the Sharks took the first installment in overtime. This will be the first matchup in Anaheim this season.
Anaheim has had a hard time keeping the puck out of the back of the net this week. The Ducks were thrashed by the Calgary Flames 8-3 on Sunday, and allowed five goals to the Carolina Hurricanes before pulling out a victory in the skills competition. Anaheim is 6-0 in their last six games after allowing five or more goals the previous game.
San Jose is 1-3 in their last four road games. The Sharks are 6-6-1 on the road this season, hardly continuing their trend from last season as the league’s toughest road team. They are, however, getting lots of chances between the hashmarks and in close by the net. Their upper-echelon guys are playing like upper-echelon guys, with Joe Pavelski leading the scoring charge with 24 points in 26 games. Logan Couture has seven goals in his last 10 games.
I’m sure the Sharks would like a bit more out of guys like Patrick Marleau, who has six goals and just two assists this season, or Marc-Edouard Vlasic who only has seven points this season after a 39-point season last year. Vlasic is currently on an eight-game pointless streak.
The Ducks have taken four of the last five meetings. Martin Jones has a 3-6-0 record against Anaheim in his career, but just a 1.79 goals-against average.
Prediction: Anaheim holds the historic upper-hand. Take the Ducks at home tonight. Play the over.
Other Game Notes Around the NHL
Rangers vs Blackhawks: I’m as surprised as the next guy that the Rangers pulled out a victory last night. They managed to go on the road to Winnipeg and, with most of their top six shelved, won both the game and the possession battle. That’s something.
Whether it be a strong defensive effort or a weak offensive effort (or a combination of the two), the Rangers limited the Jets to just 18 shots on goal. Granted, New York only managed 24, and very few of these chances on either side were high-danger.
One player with a great all-around game was the man with the game-winner, Kevin Hayes. Hayes led the team with four shots on goal, and after a Ryan McDonagh pass deflected off a penalty killer’s legs, he was gift-wrapped a tap-in goal in the final minute of regulation.
Tonight they will have a much more difficult task. The Blackhawks got an extra day of rest last night after shutting out the Coyotes on Tuesday. They are halfway through a four-game homestand, with a win and a loss under their belt.
The Hawks are 11-2-2 in Chicago.
If it is any consolation to Ranger fans out there, even though they will be missing key players like Rick Nash tonight, the Hawks will be without Jonathan Toews and Brent Seabrook tonight. Toews has now missed eight consecutive games, while Seabrook suffered an upper-body injury in the second period of Tuesday’s game. Chicago is 4-2-1 without Toews in their lineup.
Duncan Keith did not practice yesterday, but is expected to play.
The Rangers will be starting Antti Raanta tonight, while the Hawks will be going with Scott Darling between the pipes. Raanta started last night. Alain Vigneault is riding a “hot hand” that faced 18 shots yesterday. I don’t get it.
Prediction: Take Chicago to win tonight. Toews or no Toews, they will be able to apply much more offensive pressure tonight than the Rangers can handle. Play the under.
Capitals vs Sabres: The Caps have won six of their last seven games against the Buffalo Sabres, even though the home team has won the last four meetings.
The Caps have won both meetings with the Sabres on home ice these past two weeks.
Dmitry Kulikov is expected to return to the lineup tonight after a 13-game absence.
Prediction: Take Washington to win their third game in a row. Play the under.