There is a surprisingly high number of games to be played tonight where there is usually a mid-week lull. Let’s take a look around the NHL at the top picks, plays and predictions.
| Islanders vs Maple Leafs ML -160 / +144 O/U 5.5 |
Blackhawks vs Blues ML -113 / +102 O/U 5 |
| Predators vs Flames ML -140 / +127 O/U 5.5 |
Ducks vs Avalanche ML -150 / +136 O/U 5.5 |
| Coyotes vs Canucks ML +113 / -125 O/U 5 |
Capitals vs Kings ML +117 / -129 O/U 5 |
Here are tonight’s starting goaltenders, courtesy of LeftWingLock.
Play of the Day: Coyotes over Canucks.
The leading story coming out of the NHL today was the suspension of Yotes defenseman Jarred Tinordi for 20 games. Tinordi tested positive for a banned substance, reportedly before he was dealt from the Canadiens. For those wondering who Tinordi even is, he’s that dude that was traded for John Scott before the All Star Game. The plot thickens.
Tinordi had no points and was a -2 in seven games with Arizona.
The Canucks are on a downward spiral. They are 1-4 in their last five games, and have lost nine of their last 11 home games. They will be without Henrik Sedin again tonight, as well as Chris Tanev and Jannik Hansen.
Arizona has been even worse, dropping eight of their last nine games. Their most recent game was a frustrating 3-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. The Yotes had 38 shots on goal and were 0-for-3 on the powerplay. Oliver Ekman-Larsson will be out tonight with an upper-body injury.
The road team is 4-1 in the last five encounters between these two teams. There are injuries abound to both teams’ respective top offensive performers, and play has been inconsistent enough to make a play on the underdog enticing.
Prediction: Take the Coyotes to break their skid. Play the over.
The Game to Watch: Blackhawks vs Blues.
It will likely be announced tomorrow that once again, the Blackhawks will be in an outdoor game. This time, it will be in St. Louis’ Busch Stadium, home of the Cardinals, taking on the Blues. According to TSN’s Frank Seravalli, the game will be a day after Toronto hosts the Maple Leafs on New Year’s Day. The Blues-Hawks game will be considered the Winter Classic. In February, the Penguins will host the Flyers.
For now, the three-horse race for the Central Division lead continues. The Stars currently sit at 88 points, with the Hawks trailing by one and the Blues by three. Home-ice advantage is going to be key come playoff time, so every game is crucial.
Marian Hossa is possible for tonight’s game, which would slot him back into the top line alongside Jonathan Toews and Andrew Ladd. Ladd, the deadline day acquisition, was on a line with Hossa and Patrick Sharp way back when in 2010 during the Hawks’ first Cup run. Hossa has 10 goals and 18 assists on the year.
Corey Crawford has owned the Blues in his career. He is 14-4-4 lifetime with three shutouts. This season, he is 2-0-1 with a shutout in his last game. The Hawks have won three of their last four, but have been inconsistent following the All-Star Break- Crawford’s goals-against average was 2.14 in 42 games before the break, but is 2.53 in 12 games after.
Jori Lehtera could be making his own return tonight for the Blues. Alex Steen and Brian Elliott are still weeks away.
Prediction: Hossa will be a big difference-maker for the Hawks tonight on the top line. Take the Hawks at -113. Play the over.
Other Game Notes Around the NHL
Ducks vs Avalanche: The Ducks finally saw their win streak come to an end Monday with a 2-1 shootout loss to the Washington Capitals. Ryan Getzlaf tallied his 10th goal of the season with assists to David Perron and Simon Despres.
The Avs are looking to take three of four in a four-game homestand. Semyon Varlamov will be back in net tonight following a 37-save victory on Monday over the Arizona Coyotes. Varlamov recovered beautifully after being benched for two games in the week prior.
Matt Duchene set a career-high on Monday by netting his 28th goal of the season. Mikkel Boedker has been held off the scoresheet in his last two games with only one shot on goal.
Colorado won their only meeting this year, but the game came way back in October before Anaheim decided to start playing hockey. The safe play is to go with the hot hand, whose only loss of late came against the President’s Trophy frontrunners in the skills competition.
Prediction: Take the Ducks to win. Play the over.
Islanders vs Maple Leafs: Matt Hunwick will be undergoing season-ending surgery on a hernia, meaning the already depleted Toronto blueline will be without yet another player.
The Islanders have won four in a row and seven of their last eight. They currently sit three points behind the Rangers for second place in the Metro Division with three games in hand.
Jack Capuano announced today that Jaroslav Halak will miss the next six weeks to injury. Halak has been in and out of play this season with a myriad of injuries. Fortunately for the Isles, Thomas Greiss has impressed filling in as the starting goaltender, which is a breath of fresh air considering backup goaltender was a major weakness in previous years.
Prediction: Not much reason to bet against the Isles tonight. Take them to win. Play the over.
