Around the NHL: Predictions for November 7th

There are three 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.

Play of the Day: Sabres over Bruins.
Buffalo is catching Boston in the midst of a cold streak at home. Last season, Boston was one of the only teams in the playoff hunt with a losing record on home ice (until they were ousted on the last day of the season). They have picked up right where they left off, starting the year 1-4 at the TD Garden.

Buffalo meanwhile is 4-1-2 on the road this season. They have won three road games in a row against Ottawa, Minnesota and Winnipeg, in reverse order.

The Sabres are averaging 2.2 goals-per-game in their last five games. They are facing off against Tuukka Rask, who has had a strong start to the season. Although, he was proven mortal in his last start against the New York Rangers, allowing five goals on 24 shots. The loss snapped a six-game win streak for the Finnish veteran.

Robin Lehner has been solid as well, allowing two goals or fewer in his last five starts.

Buffalo will need to contain Boston’s offensive attack of David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand on the top line with Patrice Bergeron. If they manage to shut that line down, they have a very real chance at winning.

The road team is 4-1 in the last five encounters.

Prediction: Take Buffalo to win. Play the under.

The Game to Watch: Lightning vs Panthers.
The Battle for Florida, Round 2. The first round went to the Lightning, winning the game 4-3 in a shootout. Steven Stamkos tied the game with 5.5 seconds remaining on the clock, and Brayden Point won the game in the sixth round of the skills competition.

Tampa and Florida are only separated by four points in the standings. However, they are worlds apart in terms of the Atlantic Division. The Bolts currently sit in second place with 15 points, while the Panthers are all the way down in 8th place (last) with 11. The Atlantic is going to be uber-tight this year, and it could get even tighter if the Leafs and the Sens keep up their play.

What does that mean? It means this game is extremely meaningful, even if it is only the first week of November. Every game against a division opponent is crucial, especially when tiebreakers could make or break the season later on.

The home team has won four of the last five meetings.

Victor Hedman is on the verge of becoming the franchise leader in assists. He needs just one more to pass Dan Boyle.

Jaromir Jagr is expected to be in the Panthers lineup after missing Saturday’s game.

Prediction: Take the Bolts to win. Play the over.

Other Game Notes Around the NHL

Canucks vs Islanders: The Vancouver Canucks are in a rough patch. Their losing streak has extended to eight games now, with a low point coming last game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Matt Martin had half the Canucks roster jump him, including goaltender Ryan Miller, which was all started by a dirty hit by Nazem Kadri. It was a mess. Frustration is boiling over for Vancouver, who has yet to earn a win on the road this season.

Fortunately for them, they are taking on the New York Islanders, who are just as cold. They are 1-3-2 in their last six games, with their last two losses coming in the shootout against Philadelphia and Edmonton.

The Canucks have won their last four games against the Islanders in New York. They are 6-2 in their last eight against the Isles overall, with the road team being 5-1 in the last six.

Travis Hamonic is out with an injury. Miller will be back in net against Jaroslav Halak.

If there was ever a time for the Canucks to snap out of their skid, tonight might be the night. Tomorrow they will be taking on the red-hot Rangers at Madison Square Garden, so they may have to ride their anger carrying over from their game Saturday against Toronto to victory tonight. History is on their side, even though their offense has been atrocious.

The Canucks are 3-for-39 on the powerplay this season.

Prediction: Vancouver stinks, but no one loses forever. Take the Canucks to win. Play the over.