There are six NHL games on the docket. Let’s take a look at the top picks, plays and predictions.
| Blackhawks vs Bruins ML +135 / -155 O/U 5 |
Red Wings vs Sabres ML +100 / -120 O/U 5.5 |
| Penguins vs Hurricanes ML -133 / +105 O/U 5.5 |
Canadiens vs Devils ML -115 / -105 O/U 5 |
| Predators vs Oilers ML +130 / -150 O/U 5.5 |
Panthers vs Canucks ML -107 / -113 O/U 5 |
Here are tonight’s starting goaltenders, courtesy of LeftWingLock.
Play of the Day: Hurricanes over Penguins.
The Carolina Hurricanes have been one of the NHL’s most surprising teams this season. Many thought that this would be a year of rebuilding for the Canes as they got younger and developed their plethora of prospects. A crazy run of success in their home arena has brought them to within one point of the Wild Card.
The Canes have won their last four and 14 of their last 16 home games. Their lack of success on the road has hindered them from being true playoff contenders.
But who knows how far this run will go.
Pittsburgh won the first meeting between these two teams 3-2 in Pennsylvania. Carolina outshot the Pens 46-26. There were no powerplays awarded in the game, which is an impressive feat.
The Hurricanes have beaten the likes of Boston, Columbus and Chicago on their home ice recently. Their hot streak may just be enticing enough to put a daring play on them over one of the league’s best teams.
Why not? Live dangerously.
Prediction: Take the Canes to win tonight. Play the over.
The Game to Watch: Blackhawks vs Bruins.
Tonight’s Original Six matchup will be on the NHL Network. Chicago is paying a visit to the TD Garden in a rare scenario in which two playoff-caliber teams are meeting and the visiting team has more road wins that the host team does at home.
The Hawks are 11-9-1 on the road this season. Boston is 10-11-0 at home. Odd, to say the least.
In fairness, the Bruins have spent the majority of 2017 traveling. They have had six road games to three home games in the new year. Their record in that span is 3-4-2.
In their most recent game on NBC’s Wednesday Night Rivalry, the Bruins squandered a 4-1 lead on the Detroit Red Wings. Boston allowed three unanswered in the second period, then after a lead was taken once more, surrendered a second equalizer with just over three minutes remaining. Detroit would win in a shootout.
The bright side, at least, is that Tuukka Rask was healthy enough to play after taking a scary shot to the collarbone earlier this week.
Rumors are beginning to fester that Claude Julien may be in a bit of trouble. With Gerard Gallant and Jack Capuano removed from their posts this season as the midway point grows smaller in the rear-view mirror, one can only wonder when the next domino will fall. Julien deserves a lot of credit for how well the Bruins have done in recent years. Quite honestly, he deserves a lot of credit for where they are now. Boston is in a playoff spot with what is, frankly, an unimpressive roster. Perhaps top-heavy would be a more appropriate adjective. Beyond their top six, Torey Krug and Tuukka Rask, there is not much to them.
So yes, firing Julien would be stupid. Put that thought out of your head. I’m talking to you, Cam Neely.
Chicago seems to be in better shape comparatively. Three goals in the third period turned what would have been a disappointing loss to the league’s worst team into a satisfying comeback victory. Vinnie Hinostroza netted the tying and winning goals.
Some unusual names found their way onto the scoresheet in the win. Hinostroza scored twice, as did fellow rookie Tanner Kero. Brent Seabrook also tallied his third of the season, while Nick Schmaltz potted his second. Not quite who you would expect with Toews, Kane, Anisimov, Panarin, Hossa and Keith all in the lineup.
I like Chicago in this game as the underdog. The only thing they need to be wary of is the Bruins’ powerplay, which has scored seven times in five games. If they can remain disciplined, I think they can steal one in Boston tonight.
Prediction: Take Chicago to win. Play the over.
Other Game Notes Around the NHL
Canadiens vs Devils: The New Jersey Devils are getting a bit more interesting. Just when it seemed they were down and out of playoff contention, the Devils strung together three road victories in a row against Calgary, Vancouver and most impressively, Minnesota.
So now, the Devils are just three points out. Granted Toronto and Carolina have games in hand on them, but it’s still something to hang your hat on. You take what you can get in today’s NHL.
They will take their winning streak home with them as they play host to the Montreal Canadiens, who have lost consecutive games. The Habs are a different team on the road than they are at home. This could be an interesting game for the Devils.
For what it’s worth, Montreal has lost all five games that have fallen on a Friday this season. Per the usual, tonight is a front-end of a back-to-back that will have the Habs returning home tomorrow.
New Jersey could pounce on that.
What’s working against New Jersey is the Habs’ ability to bounce back. Montreal has won their last six games following a loss of three or more goals.
Still, the Devils have been a surprising team this week. What’s one more surprise?
Prediction: Take the Devils to win. Play the under.
Panthers vs Canucks: Bobby Lu is back in Vancouver! Roberto Luongo will be in net tonight for the Panthers as they take on the Vancouver Canucks tonight. He’s already had his big homecoming so there will be no video tribute tonight, but it’s still noteworthy.
Opposite Luongo will be Ryan Miller, who is 6-0-2 in his last eight starts. He has won six in a row in Vancouver, and with a win tonight, could pass Evgeni Nabokov for sole possession of 20th on the NHL all-time wins list.
Jordan Subban was recalled from Utica for the Vancouver Canucks. It is unclear as of right now whether he will actually be in the lineup. If he is? That is going to be awesome. In case you couldn’t tell from the last name, Jordan is brothers with P.K. and Bruins goaltender Malcolm.
Both teams have too long an injured list to count, so we’ll just call it even on that front.
Prediction: Take the Canucks to win. Play the under.
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