Hockey Saturdays are back. We have a full docket at the ready, so let’s take a look at the top picks, plays and predictions.
| Jets vs Wild ML +135 / -149 O/U 5 |
Bruins vs Maple Leafs ML +102 / -113 O/U 5.5 |
| Canadiens vs Senators ML +108 / -119 O/U 5.5 |
Devils vs Lightning ML +157 / -174 O/U 5 |
| Red Wings vs Panthers ML +127 / -140 O/U 5 |
Ducks vs Penguins ML +137 / -152 O/U 5 |
| Islanders vs Capitals ML +157 / -174 O/U 5.5 |
Sharks vs Blue Jackets ML -138 / +125 O/U |
| Rangers vs Blues ML +115 / -127 O/U 5 |
Predators vs Blackhawks ML +122 / -135 O/U 5.5 |
| Flyers vs Coyotes ML -110 / -100 O/U 5.5 |
Stars vs Avalanche ML -123 / +111 O/U 5.5 |
| Flames vs Canucks ML +103 / -114 O/U 5.5 |
Here are tonight’s starting goaltenders, courtesy of LeftWingLock.
Play of the Day: The over in Rangers vs Blues.
The New York Rangers flaunted their speed and chemistry in their season opener against the rival Islanders Thursday night. Their top line of newcomers Mika Zibanejad and Pavel Buchnevich with Chris Kreider clicked all night, generating prime scoring chances and moving the puck exceptionally well. All three players found the scoresheet on the night.
Unlike last year, where the forward lines had their clear haves and have-nots in terms of ability and speed, this season features a far more balanced offensive attack. Brandon Pirri and Michael Grabner, two new faces on the fourth line, both scored. Pirri’s came on the powerplay.
Their weakness on the blueline is still very evident. When forwards turn the puck over in the neutral zone, their defensemen will not make up for it. They will have to limit odd-man rushes as much as they can.
That is easier said than done against this St. Louis Blues team. Vladimir Tarasenko tore the Metro Division apart last season, and has looked tremendous to start the year. He notched two goals and an assist in the season opener against the Blackhawks, and tallied four more shots on goal in their win against the Wild.
Nail Yakupov has been a welcome addition to the team as well. St. Louis shipped a conditional first rounder to the Oilers for the embattled winger. It appears as though all he needed was a second chance. Yakupov’s first goal as a Blue came midway through the second period on a booming slapshot. The Russian used his speed to motor into the zone and took a shot that went right though the goaltender’s catching glove. Yakupov would have a primary assist on the game-winning goal as well.
Both teams have come out firing on all cylinders offensively. Though Henrik Lundqvist, at 34, is still one of the top goaltenders in the world, he and Carter Hutton will have their hands full this game. Expect a high-scoring affair.
Prediction: Take the Blues to win. Play the over. Calling my shot, this game will be 5-3.
The Game to Watch: Stars vs Avalanche.
The Colorado Avalanche will open their season tonight. After an underwhelming season last year, the Avs and head coach Patrick Roy parted ways in the offseason. Jared Bednar will now patrol the bench.
Roy’s system was broken, and his resignation saved the organization the trouble of having to fire him.
The Avalanche were laughably bad in the possession department, and have only gotten older these past few years. They have said goodbye to Paul Stastny and Ryan O’Reilly and brought in guys like Jarome Iginla, Daniel Briere and Brad Stuart to fill out the roster. Several of these moves didn’t last long (namely Briere), but the overall philosophy of the team was flawed to say the least.
Colorado is at least trying to address their defensive problem. The team resigned Tyson Barrie to a four-year deal while bringing in Fedor Tyutin and #fancystat darling Patrick Wiercioch. Nathan MacKinnon also received a seven-year extension.
Dallas opened their season with a victory over the Anaheim Ducks. Their depth forwards carried much of the load, as four different skaters found the back of the net, none of them named Benn or Seguin. Scorers included Stephen Johns, newcomer Lauri Korpikoski, Antoine Roussel and Adam Cracknell. I think we all called that.
Benn had an assist in the game, though he, Seguin and Spezza mustered just four shots on goal between them.
The Stars were still badly outshot in the game, allowing 35 and generating just 20. They will have to control the pace of the game.
It is very interesting to wonder whether a team with such prime young talent like MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog and Matt Duchene is outshot because of the supporting cast or the coaching system. My bet is a combination of the two. They did go undefeated in the preseason, for what it’s worth.
Predicton: Take the Avs to win their home opener. Play the under.
Other Notes Around the NHL
Bruins vs Maple Leafs: When someone asks you what it means when you say “Classic Maple Leafs,” you can tell them that it means Auston Matthews scores four times in his debut and the team still loses the game.
Matthews is the first player in the modern era to score four goals in his NHL debut. The kid looked good. Scary good.
The thing that wasn’t scary good was the Leafs’ defensive zone coverage. Bobby Ryan, Derick Brassard and Erik Karlsson each had a goal and an assist, while Kyle Turris scored the game-tying and game-winning goals. Frederik Andersen allowed five goals on 30 shots.
Boston managed to run away with their season opener against the Blue Jackets. After falling behind 3-1, the Bruins scored five unanswered goals. Two came off the stick of David Backes, two from a Bergeron-less Brad Marchand. David Pastrnak had two goals of his own as well.
Here we see the second goal the B’s allowed on the powerplay. Their kill unit got caught in a straight-line formation, allowing a pass down low to the left-side post. Before they could fall back to cover the net, Foligno quickly dished the puck to Cam Atkinson for a one-timer goal. Beautiful play, but weak coverage.
The Maple Leafs will also have a 90 minute ceremony celebrating their centennial season before tonight’s game. That ought to be great to watch.
Prediction: Bergeron is still out for the Bruins, and Matthews will make his much-anticipated home debut. Take the Leafs to win. Play the over.
Devils vs Lightning: The Lightning are heavy favorites heading into this game. Fears of a sloppy start were extinguished after a 3-1 deficit was turned into a 5-3 lead. The game would finish as a 6-4 triumph over the Red Wings.
There’s a certain sense of irony that after all the turmoil that lingered last year, Jonathan Drouin opened the scoring for the Bolts after a tremendous postseason. Water under the bridge, eh.
The Devils fell in overtime to the Florida Panthers. Their lone goal came from P.A. Parenteau, acquired literally at the last second off the waiver wire.
New Jersey has to ramp up the scoring this year if they want to hunt for the Wild Card. The arrival of Taylor Hall will certainly help that, but they also need Mike Cammalleri to stay healthy. Cory Schneider can only steal so many games in a season.
There will come a point where the line won’t be so slanted against the Devils. I genuinely think they are being underrated by most pundits. But Tampa is just too danged good.
Prediction: Take the Bolts to win. Play the under.
Canadiens vs Senators: I hope that Habs fans weren’t watching P.K. Subban’s Nashville debut. Because it was awesome. Subban scored early in the game and celebrated lasso-style across center ice. He played tremendously and the Preds won the game.
Shea Weber played fine in his own right. Weber had a laser of a wrist shot redirected by Gallagher for the Habs’ third goal of the game against Buffalo Thursday. But man, does he have his work cut out for him. Nashville, led by Subban, will be one of the most fun teams to watch this year. Montreal…well, they need Carey Price back before anything that grand can be said about them.
Speaking of, Montoya is listed as the probable starter by LeftWingLock. Price remains out with the flu.
Prediction: Take Ottawa to win. Play the over.
Red Wings vs Panthers: Thomas Vanek introduced himself to the Red Wings faithful early in his debut, netting two goals in the opening period of the season. Vanek was unhappy and troubled in Minnesota, and a change of scenery may be the best thing for him at this point in his career. No bloated contract, no great expectations- just go out and play. He led the team in shots on goal with five against the Bolts.
Florida has won eight of the last 13 encounters with Detroit, though Luongo has struggled in his career against the Wings.
If there is one route the Panthers can take to victory, it is the powerplay. The Wings allowed three goals on the man advantage against the Lightning. Florida was 2-for-17 against Detroit last year, however.
Prediction: Take the Cats to win. Play the under.
