Here are the top picks, plays and predictions for tonight.
| Wild vs Avalanche ML +100 / -110 O/U 5 |
Blue Jackets vs Blues ML +148 / -164 O/U 5.5 |
| Rangers vs Bruins ML -106 / -104 O/U 5.5 |
Canucks vs Maple Leafs ML +157 / -174 O/U 5 |
| Flyers vs Canadiens ML +127 / -140 O/U 5.5 |
Sabres vs Senators ML +129 / -143 O/U 5.5 |
| Devils vs Lightning ML +160 / -178 O/U 5 |
Oilers vs Islanders ML +111 / -123 O/U 5.5 |
| Panthers vs Capitals ML +157 / -174 O/U 5 |
Hurricanes vs Predators ML +140 / -155 O/U 5.5 |
| Blackhawks vs Stars ML +111 / -123 O/U 5.5 |
Flames vs Kings ML +144 / -160 O/U 5.5 |
| Penguins vs Sharks ML +117 / -129 O/U 5 |
Here are tonight’s starting goaltenders, courtesy of LeftWingLock.
Play of the Day: Flyers over Canadiens.
So…about last night.
What was that?
The Montreal Canadiens lost to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Faithful readers of this site will know that I correctly called this. I could not have possibly predicted a 10-0 score. Ten! And Columbus even had a goal waved off due to a kick, so it could very well have been 11-0! It’s something that just doesn’t happen in the modern NHL.
However, it has happened before. Matter of fact, there have been 25 instances of a goalie giving up 10 goals or more since 1987-1988 according to Hockey Reference. Today’s Slapshot does a terrific breakdown of the best and worst such performances, of which Al Montoya owns neither.
Carey Price did not enter the game at all. As a matter of fact, he did not even so much as skate that morning. Montoya bore the brunt of it all. So, Carey Price will be in net tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers.
How would you feel betting on the Montreal Canadiens the night after a 10-0 loss, backup or no backup? I know I don’t feel too keen on it. The Habs are 1-9 in their last 10 in games after allowing five or more goals.
The line is ludicrously slanted given the circumstances. The fact that this was just the first regulation loss of the season for the Habs is irrelevant- 10-0 is 10-0, and a back-to-back is a back-to-back.
For argument’s sake, Montreal has won the last five games at the Bell Centre between these two teams.
Philly won a pair of games in extra time earlier this week against the Red Wings and the Islanders. Claude Giroux had an assist on the overtime winner Wednesday, then buried a filthy shootout goal to win it on Thursday. He has 13 points on the season.
Prediction: Take the Flyers to win. Play the over.
The Game to Watch: Rangers vs Bruins.
The Bruins got off to a hot start against the Rangers in their last meeting. David Pastrnak potted a goal mere seconds into the game, and it wasn’t long before Boston had a 2-0 lead. Then, the Rangers exploded, scoring five unanswered en route to a 5-2 victory.
New York has scored 23 goals in their last five games, including three straight games of five or more goals. J.T. Miller has six points in those three games, while Rick Nash has a goal in all three.
Boston has won three games in a row since their 5-2 loss to the Blueshirts. All three games were decided by one goal, their most recent win coming in the shootout against the Lightning.
Antti Raanta will get the start for the Rangers against Tuukka Rask. Rask is 6-0-0 with a 1.48 goals-against average and a .951 save percentage.
Prediction: The Rangers offense has been hot, but they will be running into a goaltender who always seems to give them trouble. Take the Bs to win on their home ice tonight. Play the over.
Other Game Notes Around the NHL
Blue Jackets vs Blues: Perhaps the Blue Jackets used up all their scoring last night? They will be taking on the Blues, who have managed just five goals in their last five games. Their offense has ground to a halt. They are winless in their last six against teams with a winning record.
Sergei Bobrovsky will likely start for the Blue Jackets tonight against Carter Hutton. Bobrovsky still faced 30 shots last night despite winning 10-0.
Prediction: Take the Blue Jackets to win. Play the under.
Canucks vs Maple Leafs: Can the Canucks finally win a game? It’s been a while. Vancouver is winless in their last seven games, as well as their last six road games.
The home team is 6-1 in the last seven meetings. The over is the safe play tonight, as the Leafs look to light the lamp against the slumping Canucks.
Prediction: Take Toronto to win. Play the over.
Devils vs Lightning: The Devils are down in Florida (and no, this is not the start of a Charlie Daniels song). This has all the makings of their first trip at the beginning of the season. They have lost a game to the Panthers in overtime, and now will take on the Bolts. New Jersey has not won a road game in seven games, and they are 1-5 in their last six trips to Tampa.
Prediction: History has a habit of repeating itself. Take the Lightning to win. Play the under.
Penguins vs Sharks: The Penguins will make their first trek to San Jose since Game 6 tonight. Marc-Andre Fleury will likely get the start for the Penguins, so it is not a perfect recreation, but we will take what we can get.
Earlier this year, the Pens scored three unanswered in the third period to come all the way back and beat the Sharks 3-2. Pittsburgh will be looking to secure a point in all three California games, after beating the Ducks and getting a loser point in Los Angeles.
The Sharks have history on their side when it comes to hosting the Penguins, excluding the postseason. Pittsburgh is 3-12-1 in their last 16 trips to San Jose.
Prediction: Take the Sharks to win. Play the under.
