There are seven NHL games on the docket. Let’s take a look at the top picks, plays and predictions.
| Islanders vs Bruins ML +185 / -225 O/U 5.5 |
Stars vs Sabres ML -120 / +100 O/U 5.5 |
| Canadiens vs Red Wings ML -140 / +120 O/U 5 |
Lightning vs Kings ML +130 / -150 O/U 5 |
| Jets vs Sharks ML +160 / -185 O/U 5 |
Capitals vs Penguins ML +115 / -135 O/U 5.5 |
| Coyotes vs Oilers ML +175 / -225 O/U 5 |
Here are tonight’s starting goaltenders, courtesy of LeftWingLock.
The Game to Watch: Capitals vs Penguins.
Sure enough, the Capitals and Penguins are right back at it less than a week later.
This will be the fourth meeting between these two teams. Pittsburgh took the first installment back in October in the skills competition. In November, the Caps embarrassed the Pens 7-1 in Washington. Then, just last week, the Capitals never looked back from a commanding lead taken just 35 seconds into the game, topping Pittsburgh 5-2.
The home team has won all three games this season heading back to Pennsylvania.
By this time last week, both teams were preparing ways to keep their torrid winning streaks in tact. Now, only the Capitals need worry. Washington has extended their win streak to nine games, with a chance to reach double digits tonight.
Pittsburgh has lost three games in a row. The last time the Penguins lost four games in a row in regulation was December 14-19 of last season- just after Mike Sullivan took over for Mike Johnston as head coach. Of course, the Pens went on to win the Cup last year.
Though his season’s start was inauspicious, Braden Holtby is back to contending for the Vezina Trophy again. He has won his last five starts with three shutouts mixed in, lowering his goals-against average to 1.85. His shutouts were against Columbus, Ottawa and Chicago, respectively- far from easy teams.
Opposing Holtby will be Matt Murray. Murray has only seen Washington for one period this season. He allowed two goals on 14 shots in the first period of their second matchup, before an injury forced him out of the game.
Murray had a devil of a time but managed to come out victorious in facing the Capitals last season in the playoffs, so perhaps that’s a feather in his cap.
Kris Letang is back on the injured reserve after busting up his knee against the Detroit Red Wings.
Prediction: It’s hard to bet against Washington’s hot streak, but the Penguins very rarely stay down for this long, especially when on their home ice. Take Pittsburgh to win. Play the over.
Other Game Notes Around the NHL
Canadiens vs Red Wings: The Red Wings have failed in their last five attempts to extend their winning streak to two games. After beating the Penguins 6-3 at home, they will be hosting the Montreal Canadiens today.
Though the home team has won six of the last seven meetings between these two teams, the Montreal Canadiens have won 10 of their last 12 against the Wings. The Habs are coming off a ferocious comeback against the New York Rangers on their home ice, in which they tallied three goals in 48 seconds to tie, pull ahead and put the game away.
Andreas Athanasiou has seven points in his last five games. He scored a beauty of a coast-to-coast goal starting from behind his own net that put Detroit on top to stay in their game against Pittsburgh. It was a great show of his speed and hands in down low. He’s quickly becoming one of the more exciting young names in the NHL.
The Wings are six points out of a playoff spot. They need wins and they need them now. Unfortunately, they will need to slay one of their franchise’s dragons to do so.
Prediction: Take the Canadiens to steal one on the road. Play the under.
Lightning vs Kings: The Tampa Bay Lightning put a sour end on Marty Night, losing to the Blue Jackets 3-1 on the night they sent Martin St. Louis’ number to the rafters. They have lost five of their last six, and to make matters worse, they have lost 10 of their last 11 on the road. It’s astounding how they have so quickly become one of the worst road teams in the NHL.
The Bolts will now tour the Pacific Division, visiting Southern California then Arizona. In short, this six-game road trip could be disastrous for a team already hanging on by a thread.
The Los Angeles Kings are 14-6-1 at the Staples Center this season. They most recently bested the Winnipeg Jets 3-2. They are 3-2-0 on this current homestand, with two games remaining against Tampa and San Jose.
The Kings have won their last four home games against the Bolts.
Prediction: Tampa has had too hard a time on the road this season. Take the Kings to win. Play the over.
Coyotes vs Oilers: Now that the run of dominance of the Coyotes over the Oilers is over, there really is not too much reason to automatically bet on them. Edmonton finally bested the Coyotes in regulation for the first time since 2011 earlier this season.
It still means the Coyotes have won eight of their last 10 against the Oilers, and 13 of their last 16 in Edmonton.
Perhaps the line being so slanted with a chance to cash in on history makes this game appealing.
Look, better sense says go with the Oilers. They probably will win this one with relative ease, if we’re being real. But I’m betting on the Arizona Coyotes simply because that’s how hockey is sometimes. Arizona has held a six-year vice grip on the Oilers franchise, and I’m not ready to let that die just yet.
Prediction: Against my better judgment, I’m putting my money on the Arizona Coyotes tonight. Only live once, right? Play the under.
Jets vs Sharks: I’ll ignore the West Side Story jokes, as I’m sure they have all been made before.
Winnipeg will rumble with San Jose tonight in California, with the Jets still missing Patrik Laine. Though they won their first game without him, they have dropped three in a row. There’s no two ways about it, when you’re a Jet leading scorer, a boy like that is just too valuable.
Most recently, the Jets tried to hang on against the Los Angeles Kings, as they took the lead midway through the third period. But the minutes seemed like hours and the hours moved so slowly, and the Kings managed to tie it late and win in overtime.
Though they were in Western Canada last week, tonight the Sharks will be in America defending their home ice, where they are 14-6-1 this season. Most recently, they were not feeling so pretty against the Blues, getting shut out in their own building.
Tonight will be the first time these two teams have mamboed this season. Perhaps the Jets all day have had the feeling a miracle would happen, but ultimately, I say the Sharks are gonna have their day tonight. All they have to do is play it cool.
Remember when I said I’d ignore the West Side jokes? I minored in theater.
Prediction: Take the Sharks to win tonight. Play the under.
To make a play on these predictions, or any other NHL bets, visit our sportsbook at https://www.betdsi.eu/gms-hockey.
