There are seven NHL games on the docket. Let’s take a look at the top picks, plays and predictions.
| Maple Leafs vs Rangers ML +115 / -135 O/U 5.5 |
Blackhawks vs Capitals ML +128 / -155 O/U 5 |
| Islanders vs Panthers ML +115 / -155 O/U 5 |
Sabres vs Hurricanes ML +165 / -200 O/U 5 |
| Blue Jackets vs Lightning ML -135 / +110 O/U 5.5 |
Devils vs Flames ML +175 / -210 O/U 5 |
| Jets vs Coyotes ML -150 / +125 O/U 5.5 |
Here are tonight’s starting goaltenders, courtesy of LeftWingLock.
Play of the Day: The over in Maple Leafs vs Rangers.
Sing Hallelujah, the New York Rangers are finally getting their top line back in action.
Rick Nash is expected to return to the lineup tonight after fighting off yet another groin injury. Pavel Buchnevich is also making his return to NHL action tonight after battling a back injury that sidelined him for several months. He looked sharp in his conditioning games in the AHL and is primed to return to the top six tonight.
Mika Zibanejad will not be playing tonight, but he is back to practicing full-contact. His return is imminent.
That is huge for New York, who have needed goals to survive lately. Their defense has been porous, meaning if they are going to win games, they need to keep firing on all cylinders offensively. Though Chris Kreider, Derek Stepan and Mats Zuccarello have been clicking, there have been issues elsewhere in the lineup.
The over has hit in five of the last six meetings between the Leafs and Rangers, with New York emerging as the victor the last four times.
Both teams are coming off of a bye week, meaning this should be a fast-paced matchup between two revitalized teams.
Expect a lot of scoring tonight. Auston Matthews will be looking to start a new point streak after his old one ended at eight games last Saturday. Rick Nash was the Rangers’ best forward by far in the games leading up to his second groin injury, so it will be exciting to see him back on the ice.
Prediction: Take the Rangers to win tonight. Play the over.
The Game to Watch: Blue Jackets vs Lightning.
Tonight is a great game to watch, and not just for the competition. Sure, Columbus taking on the Tampa Bay Lightning is going to be fast-paced and open-iced. But this is not just a regular game.
This is Martin St. Louis night.
The Lightning organization is retiring the number of the diminutive legend that helped bring the city of Tampa Bay their first and only Stanley Cup back in 2004. The ceremony is set to start at 6:30 PM, airing on FOX Sports Sun in Florida, Fox Sports Go online and NHL.TV.
I’m sure it’s no coincidence, but John Tortorella, the opposing coach, is set to speak at the ceremony. Torts was present for the Cup anniversary celebration back when he was in Vancouver.
I loved Marty. Growing up, I would use the Tampa Bay Lightning all the time in my NHL video games because of Marty. Tampa-vs-Calgary was the first Stanley Cup I went out of my way to watch all seven games of. St. Louis, Richards, Fedotenko and Lecavalier against Iginla, Conroy and Kiprusoff…it helped me fall in love with the game. And of course, his Mother’s Day goal in the 2014 playoffs. I got chills.
There are probably still a lot of Bolts fans that have trouble forgiving Marty for the way he asked himself out of town. But really, the trade was a steal for Tampa, they got the better of the Rangers in the 2015 playoffs, and at the end of the day, he delivered when it mattered for the Lightning and their fans. I equate it to the way Packer fans forgave Brett Favre on his retirement night after seeing him in a Vikings jersey. Remember the good times.
To the game: Tampa beat the Buffalo Sabres 4-2 the other night after falling behind 2-1. Columbus has lost three of their last four since their winning streak’s final victory.
The Jackets typically do well when given a chance to rest. They have won seven straight games following two days of rest. Columbus has won both encounters with the Lightning this season, putting up five goals both times.
Prediction: Take the Jackets to sweep the season series. Play the over.
Other Game Notes Around the NHL
Blackhawks vs Capitals: Washington should be very satisfied with the sound thumping they handed the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday Night Rivalry. The Caps put five in the Pittsburgh net, with Alexander Ovechkin collecting his 1000th career point just 35 seconds into play. Ovi scored twice, his 1000th point coming on a beautiful toe drag, the other coming on (surprise) a one-timer on the powerplay from the left circle.
How do teams not see this coming? Or better yet, how do they see it coming and still prove unable to stop it time and time again?
Chicago has won four games in a row, their most recent coming in overtime against the Detroit Red Wings. They will also be sending half their roster to the All-Star game, so good for them.
Washington is 16-5-1 at the Verizon Center this season, and they have won seven in a row. They have taken five of their last six games against Chicago, as well.
Prediction: Take the Caps to win. Play the over.
Sabres vs Hurricanes: Carolina has been so good at home, they are actually in playoff contention. They are 12-2 in their last 14 games at home, including their most recent victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. They are rocking and rolling, and I don’t expect anything different tonight.
Prediction: Take the Canes to win. Play the under.
Devils vs Flames: Cory Schneider is normally a pretty unflappable guy on the ice. He is one of the game’s best, this season’s numbers be damned, and is usually very composed. But when Leon Draisaitl netted the game-winner in overtime off a feed from Connor McDavid, Schneider sprinted for the door shaking his head and muttering from under his mask. Defenseman Jon Merrill slammed his stick on the ice and screamed to the heavens.
It was a rough night for New Jersey.
The Devils led the Oilers 2-1 with eight minutes to go in regulation. Patrick Maroon tied things up late in the third, and McDavid ran the show in 3-on-3 overtime.
They are back in action just 24 hours later, taking on the Calgary Flames. Calgary bested the San Jose Sharks on home ice Wednesday night by a score of 3-2. They have won their last four home games.
Prediction: Take the Flames to win tonight. Play the under.
To make a play on these predictions, or any other NHL bets, visit our sportsbook here at https://www.betdsi.eu/gms-hockey.
