Around the NHL: Predictions for February 13th

There are just two 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.

Rangers vs Blue Jackets: The New York Rangers will get another crack at the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight. About two weeks ago, the Rangers were embarrassed on their home ice, letting up six goals to Columbus with both goaltenders allowing three.

Objectively, the Blue Jackets have outplayed the Rangers in all three meetings this season. Columbus has won two of the three, with their lone loss coming when Michael Grabner capped off an improbable comeback with a last-minute goal. They have led by at least two in all three games.

Sergei Bobrovsky will likely start for the Jackets, marking just the second time this year that the Rangers will face him. Bob stopped 25 of 27 in their first encounter, but in both meetings since John Tortorella has trotted out his backup.

Bobrovsky has allowed 22 goals in his last seven starts, though his most recent outing was a victory over the Red Wings in which he stopped 35 of 36 shots. He bookmarked the All-Star break with some sketchy performances, but seems to have reeled things in fine since.

Antti Raanta is the confirmed starter for the Rangers according to LeftWingLock. Henrik Lundqvist is 8-1-0 in his last 10 starts, with a no decision coming in the aforementioned 6-4 loss to Columbus just two weeks ago. Raanta’s relief appearance in that game was his first taste of action after a lower body injury sidelined him in mid-January.

In his last three full games as a starter, Antti Raanta has allowed 13 goals.

Raanta has a tough task ahead. He and the Rangers’ defense will have to stop a red-hot Cam Atkinson, who has netted three goals in his last five games. Atkinson has 27 on the year, tying his career best.

New York will counter that attack with one of the hottest lines in the NHL. Michael Grabner, Kevin Hayes and J.T. Miller will be staying together, with Chris Kreider, Derek Stepan and Mats Zuccarello holding down the second line. Pavel Buchnevich will be bumped up to a line with Rick Nash and Mika Zibanejad, a combination everyone in the world should hope stays together for pure entertainment value.

So far in February, the Jackets have only been able to beat the Detroit Red Wings. Columbus has suffered losses to Vancouver, New Jersey and Pittsburgh so far this month. They are 3-4-1 in their last eight overall.

Nevertheless, I am absolutely taking them over the New York Rangers tonight. They have proven to be too much for Manhattan to handle, and being at home only helps that.

Prediction: Take Columbus to win. Play the over.

Coyotes vs Flames: Arizona is the worst road team in the NHL. That is a difficult obstacle to overcome. They are also 2-11 in their last 13 games against Pacific Division foes.

Calgary has won four of their last five. They have won five meetings in a row with the Arizona Coyotes and 10 of the last 12 installments held in Western Canada. Overall, this just is not shaping up to be the Yotes’ day.

For what it’s worth, Arizona managed to edge out the Pittsburgh Penguins in the desert on Saturday in overtime by a score of 4-3. Martin Hanzal scored twice and Connor Murphy notched his first of the season. Hanzal is now tied for the team lead in goals, though that number is just 12 on the year.

Calgary’s offense simply has more talent. Sean Monahan has 12 points in 12 games. Johnny Gaudreau has six points in five games. The Flames’ offense has recorded 14 goals in four February games, and are coming into this game well rested from their bye-week.

Chad Johnson will be in goal for the Flames against Mike Smith, making his ninth consecutive start. Smith has arguably had a decent season, but is repeatedly hung out to dry by his defense. He has faced an average of 35.2 shots per game in his last five starts, which compared to the current league leaderboard, would be tops in the shots allowed per game category.

Incidentally, the Coyotes are second-worst in that stat, allowing 33.5 shots per game in 56 contests this season. They manage just 28.2 for themselves on average, fourth-worst in the league.

Prediction: I find new and amazing ways to analyze the Coyotes’ ineptitudes every day. Take Calgary to win. Play the under.