There are two NHL games on the docket tonight. Here are the top picks, plays and predictions.
| Flames vs Islanders ML +135 / -155 O/U 5 |
Stars vs Blues ML +145 / -165 O/U 5.5 |
Here are tonight’s starting goaltenders, courtesy of LeftWingLock.
Flames vs Islanders: The Calgary Flames are closing out a season-long six-game road trip tonight against the Islanders. They are 3-2 on the trip, with a 7-6-1 record as the visiting team this season. For as much as home ice has affected teams this season, it seems to have had the opposite effect on the Flames, who are 3-7-0 in Calgary. Go figure.
They will be going up against a team that can only seem to win on home ice, the New York Islanders. Brooklyn’s ineptitudes have landed them the bottom spot in the NHL. Arizona swept a home-and-home against the Edmonton Oilers, meaning that with 16 points, the Islanders are now the worst team in the NHL. That is pretty jarring to hear considering where they were not half a year ago, winning their first playoff series in over 20 years.
Health has been a concern for the Islanders. It appears like Ryan Pulock is close to returning after participating in a full practice earlier this week. Dennis Seidenberg, who is still on the IR after suffering a broken jaw, skated on his own as well. Both are out tonight, however.
Florida fired their head coach last night. If anyone was going to fire their coach this early in the season, I would have bet money on it being Jack Capuano. I am of the belief that Capuano wore out his welcome behind the Islanders’ bench some three years ago, but that’s just me. Garth Snow is going to do what Garth Snow wants to do- which is bad news for Brooklyn.
Unbelievably, the Calgary Flames simultaneously have one of the worst and one of the most dangerous penalty kill units in the league. They are 29th in kill percentage, yet they lead the league with five shorthanded goals. Hockey is funny sometimes.
The word on the street is that the Islanders are going to try and get J.F. Berube some starts. Oh…joy. Does that mean that a Halak trade is imminent? Are the Isles trying to stave off waivers for Berube? Is it Hail Mary time already?
Thomas Greiss will be in net for Brooklyn tonight. Greiss earned the Isles a rare road victory last week against the Ducks in a shootout.
Calgary’s offense is nothing special. If they can limit the Islanders to just a goal or two, the Flames have a very real chance at taking this one. They have been winning quite a few 2-1, 3-2 games lately. Once it becomes a score-fest, the Flames are pretty much guaranteed a loss.
Prediction: There eventually has to be point where the Islanders hit rock bottom. I say tonight is that night. Take the Flames to win. Play the under.
Stars vs Blues: Jake Allen has been on a roll. Since getting yanked from his start against Columbus back on the 12th, Allen has won his last five starts, allowing two or fewer in all but his most recent. Four of those five wins have come on home ice, where the Blues have been highly successful this season.
St. Louis is going for their 10th home victory tonight. They would join Montreal as the only teams in the league with double-digit home victories.
Dallas’ wins have come a little too close for comfort lately. The Stars had to come from behind against the Vancouver Canucks on home ice, narrowly escaping a 14-shot onslaught in the third period to come away with a 2-1 victory.
Esa Lindell scored his first NHL goal in the victory. The goal would be the game-winner. Welcome to the big show.
Lindell was given time and space by Jamie Benn, who drew two defenders at the center of the blueline. Benn perfectly sauced the puck to Lindell, who took a stride towards the net and unleashed an impressive wrist shot. Benn is up to 17 points in 22 games after a bit of a slow start to the year.
That win over Vancouver improved Dallas’ record when the opponent scores first to 1-7-3. Yiiiiikes.
Though the road team has won four of the last five meetings between these two teams, the Blues are cruising on home ice, and they’re getting comfortable for a long home stand. If St. Louis scores first, it’s all over.
Prediction: Take the Blues to win. Play the over.
