Around the NHL: Predictions for March 22nd

There are three NHL games on the docket tonight. Let’s take a look at the top picks, plays and predictions.

Here are tonight’s starting goaltenders, courtesy of LeftWingLock.

The Game to Watch: Oilers vs Ducks.
As of right now, this is the first-round matchup out of the Pacific Division. The Oilers and Ducks are tied with 87 points, both with a one-point advantage over the Calgary Flames. Since both teams hold a game in hand, the winner tonight is in great shape to earn home-ice advantage over the loser.

The Anaheim Ducks have had three days off heading into tonight’s game, which could throw off their rhythm. They have done a good job of racking up points despite a tricky March schedule. They have beaten the likes of Chicago, St. Louis, Washington and San Jose to keep ahead of the Flames while they were on their torrid streak.

A major reason for the Ducks’ success has been the great play of star forward Rickard Rakell. Rakell is currently on a five-game point streak, in which he has four goals and two assists. He is the lone Duck to have reached the 30-goal marker. He has seven goals in the month of March alone.

Ryan Getzlaf has had a terrific March as well, notching 13 points in nine games. He currently leads the team with 45 assists and 59 points.

Save for a three-point game against Washington last week, it’s been an up-and-down month for Ryan Kesler. Kesler is second on the team with 50 points, but is prone to dry spells (points in only one of his last eight games, two goals in his last 27). If they can get him back on track before the playoffs, Anaheim will have a nice balanced offensive attack.

If I were to ask you at the beginning of the season who would lead the team in goals, you would probably give a pretty stock answer. Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, perhaps even new arrival Milan Lucic. I will bet that Patrick Maroon would not have been on the tip of your tongue. Nevertheless, there he is, tied with McDavid with 25 goals on the season.

Maroon has four goals in his last four games, and has endeared himself to the fans with his physical play as well. Ordinarily when a grinder or fighter is endeared to the fans, they don’t have 25 goals under their belt to boot. Playing on a line with McDavid will do wonders for you in that department, I suppose. Ulf Samuelsson played with Wayne Gretzky at one point too.

Speaking of McDavid, he is streaking for his first Art Ross trophy, and will most certainly receive Hart Trophy votes as well. He has seven points in his last four games, giving him 82 on the season. He currently holds a one-point edge on Sidney Crosby and a one-assist lead on Nick Backstrom for the league lead in both categories.

The season series is 2-1 favoring Edmonton. In their most recent encounter back in January, the Oilers blanked the Ducks 4-0.

Two hot goaltenders will collide tonight. With John Gibson nursing a lower-body injury, Jonathan Bernier will get the start for the Ducks. Bernier is 7-2-1 in his last 10 starts with a 1.78 goals-against average and a .943 save percentage. Cam Talbot has won four in a row and has posted back-to-back shutouts. He has 37 victories this season, a career best by a long shot. To eclipse 40 wins in a season would be a tremendous benchmark for the Goalbuster.

Though the Oilers traditionally struggle in the Honda Center, the multiple days off could throw Anaheim off as bye-weeks often do. Plus, when push comes to shove, I like Talbot over Bernier, no matter how hot Bernier is.

Prediction: Take the Oilers to win tonight. Play the under.

Other Game Notes Around the NHL

Islanders vs Rangers: The New York Islanders will need to trounce their cross-town rivals in order to have a shot at making the postseason. It’s only fitting at this time of year.

The Islanders have lost four of their last five. They now trail the Toronto Maple Leafs by three points for the final Wild Card spot. Since the Leafs could very well leapfrog the Boston Bruins since they hold two games in hand, that would mean the Islanders would have to make up four points. They would also hold two games in hand on Boston.

Isn’t playoff seeding fun?

Fortunately, the Isles will be catching the Rangers where they are least comfortable: Madison Square Garden. To Brooklyn’s credit, they have won three of their last four road games, and it was their play over their nine-game road trip earlier this month that kept their season alive. The Rangers, on the other hand, have lost their last six home games. Their play at home is remarkably erratic.

The Islanders have won seven of their last nine against the Rangers. The season series is 2-1 Islanders, with the Rangers win coming on opening night against Jaroslav Halak.

New York-Manhattan was in action last night, falling in overtime to the New Jersey Devils. Brooklyn has had three days to recover from an overtime loss to Columbus.

Prediction: Brooklyn is more desperate, they have had rest and the Rangers struggle at home. The odds are in their favor. Take the Islanders to win tonight. Play the over.

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