There are 13 NHL games on the docket tonight. Let’s take a look at the top picks, plays and predictions.
| Penguins vs Bruins ML +110 / -130 O/U 5.5 |
Capitals vs Devils ML -175 / +155 O/U 5 |
| Canadiens vs Islanders ML -120 / +100 O/U 5.5 |
Maple Leafs vs Flyers ML Off / Off O/U Off |
| Kings vs Hurricanes ML +100 / -120 O/U 5 |
Flames vs Senators ML +120 / -140 O/U 5.5 |
| Lightning vs Panthers ML -115 / -105 O/U 5 |
Blue Jackets vs Predators ML +100 / -120 O/U 5.5 |
| Blues vs Wild ML +135 / -155 O/U 5 |
Jets vs Blackhawks ML +140 / -150 O/U 5.5 |
| Sabres vs Stars ML +130 / -145 O/U 5.5 |
Canucks vs Coyotes ML -105 / -115 O/U 5 |
| Oilers vs Sharks ML Off / Off O/U Off |
Here are tonight’s starting goaltenders, courtesy of LeftWingLock.
The Game to Watch: Blues vs Wild.
The Western Conference has been totally upended this season. The Minnesota Wild, who normally battle it out for a Wild Card spot, have surged to the top of the Central Division. The Dallas Stars are four points out of the playoffs. Edmonton is comfortably in a division spot.
Meanwhile, the St. Louis Blues are in danger of losing their Wild Card position, with the likes of Calgary and Los Angeles nipping at their heels. They finally picked up a win on the road Tuesday night, shutting out the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-0. The win snapped a three-game skid overall.
Winning on the road has been an issue all season for the Blues, as they are just 8-12-1 away from Missouri. Minnesota has, unfortunately for them, been one of the toughest teams to play when on the road this season. The Blues have their work cut out for them.
Worse still, the Blues have lost nine of their last 10 games following a win. Stringing together consistently good performances has been hard to do this season.
The home team has won four of the last five meetings, including all three this season. In the lone trip to Minnesota this season, the Wild won 3-1.
Tonight’s game will be aired on NBC Sports.
Prediction: Take the Wild to win. Play the over.
Other Game Notes Around the NHL
Penguins vs Bruins: The Boston Bruins managed to stave off yet another crushing defeat Tuesday with an overtime victory over the Detroit Red Wings. Brad Marchand scored a pair, including the tying goal midway through the third period.
David Pastrnak snapped a 17-game goalless drought with the winner in overtime. The goal was Pastrnak’s 20th of the season, which amazingly still keeps him towards the top of the NHL leaderboards.
Boston needs wins and badly. They may be catching a break tonight, as they take on a banged-up Penguins team. The Pens will be without Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and Matt Cullen, and may also be without Patric Hornqvist. The Bruins may be without Brad Marchand, who awaits a possible suspension for slew-footing, but even without him, this is a major break for them.
The Bruins have won six of their last seven home games against the Penguins.
Prediction: Take the Bruins to pounce on a team literally limping into the All-Star Break. Play the over, which has hit in each of the last four meetings.
Capitals vs Devils: The Washington Capitals embarrassed the New Jersey Devils in their last trip to the Rock this season. Though the Devils took the first installment at the Verizon Center in extra time, the Capitals made sure the same thing did not happen a second time.
Washington scored just minutes into the game and never looked back, rolling along to a laugher of a 6-2 victory. Six different forwards registered goals in the game.
New Jersey, like Boston, desperately needs wins to stay afloat. They are one of six teams in a deadlock for last place in the Eastern Conference, yet they are just five points out of a Wild Card spot. With the Flyers also playing tonight, finishing up a back-to-back, this is a crucial game for the Devils.
Problem is, the Devils are on a five-game home losing streak. Though they have taken some impressive road wins lately against the likes of Philly and Minnesota, they are still a long ways away from contention.
Washington has won eight of their last nine against New Jersey. They will be facing backup Keith Kinkaid tonight.
Prediction: Take the Caps to win and win easily. Play the over.
Lightning vs Panthers: The Battle for Florida is always a fun game to watch. The season series is split so far, with the home team winning both games. Incidentally, the home team has won five of the last six meetings between these two teams.
Both teams are decimated by injury and floundering. Tampa is coming off a nice 5-2 victory over the Blackhawks, but they are 3-6-1 in their last 10. Florida dropped a frustrating game in the desert, getting outplayed badly by the lowly Arizona Coyotes.
In a game with an even line and a history leaning towards the home team, I’ll take the Panthers to win in this one.
Prediction: Take the Panthers to win. Play the over.
Canadiens vs Islanders: The Montreal Canadiens have won their last seven encounters with the New York Islanders, and nine of their last 10 against Brooklyn.
However, the Islanders have won four of their last five, with their lone loss coming in overtime against the Flyers.
Montreal has struggled on the road this season, but no Anders Lee is a killer for Brooklyn.
Prediction: The tale of the tape don’t lie. Take the Habs to win tonight. Play the over.
