There are only two games on the schedule tonight for the Wednesday lull. However, both of these games are vitally important to the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Let’s take a look around the NHL at the top picks, plays and predictions.
| Senators vs Islanders ML +162 / -180 O/U 5.5 |
Bruins vs Rangers ML +111 / -123 O/U 5 |
Here are tonight’s starting goaltenders, courtesy of LeftWingLock.
Senators vs Islanders: Both of the teams here are caught in a game of Standings Catchup. The Islanders have not only lost their Metro Division spot, but now they are in danger of sliding down into the second Wild Card position and possibly even sliding out of the playoffs altogether. They have lost four games in a row and sit at 85 points in 71 games. For reference, the Flyers and Red Wings both have 83 points in 72 and 73 games, respectively.
A few spots down in the standings are the Ottawa Senators, who are clinging to life. They have 76 points in 74 games. Their lack of games in hand is a major disadvantage. Barring yet another Hamburglar-esque frenzy like last season, it looks like the doomsday clock is about to strike midnight in Ottawa.
In order to be a playoff team, you have to prove that you can beat other playoff teams. It’s one of the main reasons I have reservations about picking the Bruins to go very far in the postseason this year. That exact issue is one that has plagued the Sens of late, as they are winless in their last five games against teams with a winning record.
Andrew Hammond will get the call in net tonight. While he has been more than serviceable in his last five starts, posting a .939 save percentage, the bounces have not been going his way. He is 2-2-1 in that stretch. Craig Anderson’s return from injury has meant he has started just once since March 8th.
Fortunately for the Islanders, the Flyers choked on applesauce last night, blowing a two-goal lead to the Blue Jackets, shorthanded no less. They lost in extra time. The blown game is huge to the Isles who are on a most ill-timed skid.
Jean-Francois Berube will start in net for the Isles. He will likely see a pair of games this week, as the Isles added a goalie for Bridgeport to fill in while Berube is in Brooklyn.
Rookie Ryan Pulock will get a look tonight as well. Pulock scored his first NHL goal in eight games last week against the Predators. He will replace Brian Strait. Pulock’s offensive presence will certainly be a boost to the Isles, as he brings with him a lethal shot. He is especially smart on the powerplay, which has been 1-for-10 for New York in their past seven games.
If you’re into the whole “day of the week” thing (which I suppose it only really has significance on a Wednesday like today), the Islanders are 7-1 on Wednesdays, while the Sens are 0-4.
Prediction: The Isles need this one at home and the Sens look deflated. They know for whom the bell tolls. Take Brooklyn to win. Play the under.
Bruins vs Rangers: While the Islanders and Senators are playing catchup, the Bruins and Rangers are playing keepaway. The Rangers currently have 90 points in 73 games, which puts them five points ahead of the Islanders. They are in danger of losing their home-ice advantage, though. The Penguins have won six games in a row, and are just two points behind the Blueshirts with a game in hand. To stay up, the Rangers need regulation-overtime wins.
The Bruins are slowly fading from contention for the top spot in the Atlantic Division. After dropping three games in a row, they now sit three points behind the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Florida Panthers. Boston is three points ahead of the Red Wings.
Broadway has been kind to the Rangers this season, as they are 24-8-3 at home. Only the Washington Capitals have more home wins. Six of their last nine games, including tonight, are at Madison Square Garden. This will be a chance to actually put together a pair of nice games, as they are winless in their last four games following a victory.
It is looking like Oscar Lindberg will sit out once again for the Rangers, though there have been whispers of Kevin Hayes sitting.
The Bruins, meanwhile, have the third-most road wins in the league, second most in the Eastern Conference. They have had time to lick their wounds, as their three-game trip to California resulted in zero points. They have not had a game since Saturday, which has given them plenty of rest time. Boston has not lost four games in a row all season. They are 4-0 in games following a three-game skid, with four of those wins coming on the road.
The season series is split with a pair of last-minute heroics on home ice.
Prediction: This game is a coin-toss. The home team is 5-0 in the last five meetings, but the Bruins’ road play has been strong. Take Boston to win. Play the under.
