There are three games on the schedule tonight for Wednesday Night Rivalry. Let’s take a look at the top picks, plays and predictions.
| Oilers vs Panthers ML +125 / -145 O/U 5.5 |
Capitals vs Flyers ML -165 / +145 O/U 5 |
| Bruins vs Ducks ML -130 / +110 O/U 5 |
Here are tonight’s starting goaltenders, courtesy of LeftWingLock.
The Game to Watch: Capitals vs Flyers.
Tonight’s NBC Sports broadcast will focus in on the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, where the Flyers will be hosting the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Michal Neuvirth will go toe-to-toe and shot-for-shot in net.
Philly is floundering, and they need to regain their footing. A string of wins would do just that, but their upcoming schedule is difficult. They Flyers are just 9-18 since the conclusion of their winning streak that seems like it occurred so long ago. A winning streak is in order, and tonight they can put together their second consecutive victory.
On Sunday, the Flyers bested the Canucks 3-2 in Vancouver. Shayne Gostisbehere registered three assists en route to victory, and Philly’s defense limited Vancouver to just six third period shots protecting a one-goal lead.
Washington’s Sunday was not quite as joyful. Despite a flurry of chances, the Capitals could not solve Henrik Lundqvist and wound up losing 2-1 at Madison Square Garden. Alex Ovechkin tallied a powerplay goal in the process. The Capitals have become quite good when given an extra day of rest, however, as they are 4-0 in their last four games after two days of rest.
Wednesday Night Rivalry features the Washington Capitals quite often, and the Caps take advantage. They have won five of their last six Wednesday games. Primetime does not faze them.
The home team has won both meetings between these two teams this season. Philadelphia took the first encounter, topping the Capitals in the shootout back before the Holiday Break. Washington then trounced the Flyers in mid-January to the tune of a 5-0 score.
Despite Shayne Gostisbehere finding his groove, Claude Giroux has been ice-cold. The Flyers’ captain has just one goal and one assist in his last 10 games. It’s apparently been a bad enough stretch that murmurs of trade rumors are bubbling from the underbelly of the NHL blogosphere, which is a ridiculous notion. Giroux has 12 goals and 30 assists on the season.
Michal Neuvirth had a rough outing against the Edmonton Oilers last week, but it is a mere hiccup in what has otherwise been a very strong stretch. In his other seven starts since January 26th, Neuvy has allowed just 10 total goals. He is 4-2-1 in those seven starts, which highlights the team’s offensive ineptitude of late.
I do like a home underdog. Neuvirth has been good enough to keep the Flyers in the game, but they will need their offense to come alive. If they can put pucks past Holtby, they have a chance. Subsequently, you will have a chance to cash in.
Prediction: Take a chance on the Flyers tonight. Play the over.
Bruins vs Ducks: I will still argue that Claude Julien was not the problem in Boston. But I can’t argue with results. The Bruins have won four in a row since dismissing their head coach, scoring 16 goals in the process.
It takes a big man to admit he was wrong, and I am that big man.
Unfortunately, that does not mean that I will be taking them to win in this one.
The Bruins have dropped six straight Wednesday night games. They are winless in their last six against the Anaheim Ducks specifically. John Gibson has two shutouts in his last three starts for Anaheim.
Given that the line is surprisingly tilted in the Bruins’ favor, I take that as a challenge to bet on the Ducks. It’s a challenge you should take.
Granted, the Ducks have been very hit-and-miss this month. After besting the Los Angeles Kings at home Sunday, they dropped a 3-2 game to the Arizona Coyotes with a clunker of a start. Three unanswered first period goals proved to be a dagger.
I’m banking on the Ducks rebounding tonight at home. They are still one of the better home teams in the Western Conference at 18-7-3. The Bruins have a losing road record. This is a night to bet on the home underdogs.
Prediction: Take the Ducks to win. Play the under.
