Around the NHL: Predictions for November 8th

Here are today’s top picks, plays and predictions.

Tonight’s starting goaltenders are here, presented by LeftWingLock.

Play of the Day: The over in Canucks vs Rangers.
The New York Rangers have been lighting the lamp. They have now played five games in a row wherein they scored five goals or more, winning all five. Their offense has been clicking at such an absurd rate that their leading goal-scorer is not prized newcomer Jimmy Vesey, it is not veteran all-star Rick Nash, but rather bargain-bin third liner Michael Grabner. What in the world is going on.

Meanwhile, the Vancouver Canucks are in free-fall. Last night’s loss to the Islanders in Brooklyn marked the ninth straight game without a win. Their offense is on the complete opposite end of the spectrum, averaging just 1.3 goals per game during this nine-game stretch. The Sedin twins are simply not the same, and Loui Eriksson has been a disappointment to say the least (an utter failure to say the most). The Sedins lead the team with six points each, both with four goals and two assists.

To put that in perspective, the New York Rangers have 13 players with more points than them. THIRTEEN.

Pundits will be screaming “trap game” at the Rangers tonight, which it very much so is. Underestimating the Canucks would be the worst possible thing that the Rangers could do. So to avoid falling 2-1 or 3-2 in frustrating fashion, the Blueshirts simply need to get on the board first. Get momentum rolling and the goals will come in bunches.

Antti Raanta will be in net tonight for the Rangers, giving Henrik Lundqvist a rather long break. Jakub Markstrom will be in net for Vancouver.

Vancouver is 1-4 in their last five games on the tail end of a back-to-back, just to make matters worse for them. Maybe that’s why the Canucks are a +285 in this game, which is the most slanted a hockey line has ever been in my tenure here at GetMoreSports.

Prediction: Take the Rangers to win. Play the over. Calling my shot, this game will wind up 5-2.

The Game to Watch: Red Wings vs Flyers.
Jimmy Howard sits atop the NHL leaderboard in goals-against average and save percentage, as we all knew he would. Howard boasts a 1.12 goals-against and .965 save percentage in four starts. It’s a very small sample size, but still absurd numbers. And they have not been cheapies either. Howard has put on some terrific performances, most notably his one-man shutdown of the Rangers on NBC and his 30-save shutout of the reigning Western Conference Champion San Jose Sharks.

Howard will start against Steve Mason, who never gets enough credit. His inauspicious start has not helped him out in the public eye, however.

The Wings are trying to snap a five-game losing streak. They turn to Howard once again, who lost two nights ago to the Oilers despite giving up just two goals. Petr Mrazek will be given a break to find his mojo. Detroit has their work cut out for them tonight, as they are winless in their last 12 trips to Philly. The home team is 24-3 over the last few years.

For a team that prides itself on historic success, history sure is stacking the deck against them tonight.

Claude Giroux is still tied for the league lead in assists with 11.

Prediction: The great thing about streaks is that they all have to end at some point. Take Jimmy Howard to steal one tonight for the Red Wings. Play the under.

Other Game Notes Around the NHL

Hurricanes vs Devils: This game has the stone-cold under written all over it, even if it is listed as just five goals. If you’re a fan of high-powered offenses, turn to MSG and watch the Rangers. You want a defensive battle that might have a goal, if you’re lucky? Tune to MSG Plus and watch the Devils host the Hurricanes. The under is 7-1-3 in the last 11 meetings between these two teams, and 3-0-1 in the last four at the Rock.

Carolina currently sits at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with just nine points. New Jersey may be only four points ahead, but they sit in the second Wild Card spot.

Prediction: Take the Devils to win. Play the under all day, every day.

Oilers vs Penguins: This line is awfully slanted against the Oilers, who have experienced quite a bit of success on the road this season. Edmonton took a pair of games on the road from the Islanders and Red Wings, and are now taking on a Pittsburgh team coming off a successful road trip of their own. It’s a tough task, but a line this slanted leads me to take a chance on the +186 Oilers, who currently sit atop the Pacific.

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