There are two 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.
Penguins vs Capitals
ML: -110 / -100
O/U: 5
This is the far superior matchup to watch tonight if you are just looking for a good hockey game. Pittsburgh and Washington is the featured Wednesday Night Rivalry on the fight card tonight. Two points separate them in the standings, as the Pens are 10-3-2 while the Caps are 9-4-2.
Three of Washington’s last six games have gone into extra time. While they were able to best the Jets and the Blackhawks in 3-on-3 overtime, their luck ran out last night against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Nick Backstrom tallied first in the game, netting his second goal of the season. The Swedish center carried the puck through the neutral zone and, with three Jackets in front of him, unloaded a wrist shot past the glove of Sergei Bobrovsky.
The Jackets would even things up in the second as rookie blueliner Zach Werenski wired a wrist shot past Philipp Grubbier in the second period. Werenski has five goals now on the year with eight assists, tossing his name into early Calder consideration. He has tough competition in Auston Matthews and Patrik Laine, but his hat is in the ring nonetheless.
Cam Atkinson buried the game-winning goal 37 seconds into overtime. The goal was Atkinson’s first at even strength all year. Dubinsky tied up his man on the face-off, leaving room for Atkinson to cut across the slot and aim a wrister over the blocker of Grubauer. Game, set, match.
Pittsburgh took two of three games on home ice last week from the Oilers and Maple Leafs. The Pens peppered the Leafs with 49 shots on goal on Friday, with Bryan Rust, Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang registering multi-point nights. Crosby tallied what was his 10th goal of the season in the third.
Though the Pens have been dominant at home (7-1-1), they have seen a noticeable drop-off in quality on the road. They are just 3-2-1 as the visiting team this season, while the Caps are 4-2-0 at home.
Matt Murray will look to change the Pens’ fortunes in goal tonight. Murray is undefeated in four decisions with a 1.25 goals-against average and .961 save percentage. Looks like he is picking up right where he left off last postseason.
Prediction: The extra rest will help Pittsburgh big time. Three days to no days is tough on anyone. Take the Pens to win. Play the under.
Coyotes vs Flames
ML: +114 / -126
O/U: 5.5
While this is not a rivalry game in the slightest, it is still a chance to see some goals fly back and forth. Mike Smith will be in goal for the Coyotes, while Chad “Not-Ochocinco” Johnson will be in net for the Flames.
Seriously, I’m sure it’s come up before, but Johnson needs to switch his number to 85. Someone start a change.org petition or something.
The Yotes have stunk on the road, while the Flames have stunk at home, so it’s a wash essentially. The over is 4-0 in the last four Arizona road games, and it is 8-2 in the last 10 Calgary home games. Even though the under has hit in six of the last seven meetings, I get the feeling that defensive ineptitude will give way to some back and forth action tonight. Calgary’s offense has been dormant these past couple of weeks, and this game against a fellow weak opponent could very well wake them up.
Johnny Gaudreau leads the Flames in scoring with 11 points on the year, and he has three goals in his last four games. Other highly-touted players on Calgary, like Mark Giordano and Sean Monahan, have not had the same fortunes, registering just six points through 17 games per man.
The Flames have won eight of the last 10 home games against their desert foes.
Prediction: Eventually these offenses are going to wake up. Why not do so against each other? It’s betting against the trend, but I have a sneaking suspicion that this could hit the over tonight. Take the Flames to win.
