There are 12 games on the docket tonight. Let’s take a look at the top picks, plays and predictions.
| Islanders vs Bruins ML +155 / -175 O/U 5.5 |
Predators vs Devils ML Off/ Off O/U Off |
| Rangers vs Penguins ML +125 / -145 O/U 5.5 |
Kings vs Blue Jackets ML +125 / -145 O/U 5 |
| Ducks vs Canadiens ML +145 / -175 O/U 5 |
Red Wings vs Lightning ML Off / Off O/U Off |
| Sabres vs Panthers ML +135 / -155 O/U 5 |
Avalanche vs Wild ML +195 / -235 O/U 5 |
| Senators vs Blackhawks ML +145 / -165 O/U 5.5 |
Blues vs Stars ML +105 / -115 O/U 5.5 |
| Jets vs Canucks ML -118 / -105 O/U 5 |
Flames vs Sharks ML Off / Off O/U Off |
Here are tonight’s starting goaltenders, courtesy of LeftWingLock.
Play of the Day: Bruins over Islanders with the over.
Just as it looked like the Islanders might be turning things around, they go spiraling back down the drain with a five-game losing streak. Their losses to Chicago and Buffalo were close, and it looked to be another tight one against Ottawa. Brooklyn battled back from down 2-0 early to tie things up. The wheels came off in the third, and four unanswered goals later, the Senators emerged with a 6-2 victory.
The Isles have been outscored 12-0 in the third period and overtime over this five game skid they are on. Yiiiikes.
Meanwhile, the Bruins will be without Frank Vatrano tonight. The 22-year-old has not played yet this season and it looked like he was poised to make his return tonight, but Claude Julien will be keeping him out as a healthy scratch just one more game. Vatrano played in two AHL games since being cleared to play on the 16th, netting a goal in each contest.
So looks like it will be just another game for Boston. One they should win, and win by a fair margin.
Prediction: Take the Bruins to win. Play the over.
The Game to Watch: Rangers vs Penguins.
Henrik Lundqvist’s return to the net for the New York Rangers has been pretty sweet to watch. Lundqvist has shut down his doubters, returning to form with two brilliant performances against the Nashville Predators and New Jersey Devils. On a back-to-back with travel, no less. The pair of shootout victories propelled the Rangers to the top of the Metro Division.
It’s almost as if one of the best goalies in the world will be totally fine if you let him play. And yet Antti Raanta will be in net tonight. I officially do not get it. Why play Hank on a back-to-back with travel against a frail Devils team and then not play him against actual playoff talent? Is Alain Vigneault this dense?
New York did receive some bad news exiting an otherwise successful weekend. Rick Nash’s groin issues have returned, and it looks like the star winger will miss some more time. Nash was easily the Rangers’ best forward this weekend, singlehandedly manhandling the Devils on Sunday. He had three different self-made breakaways, thrashing through the offensive zone and cutting aggressively to the net, missing each time by mere inches.
Though it is not official, the logical guess would be that Brandon Pirri replaces Nash in the lineup tonight.
Pittsburgh is incredibly dangerous, but they are even more dangerous when well-rested. The Pens have won their last four games when given two days of rest. And they needed it, what with having three games go into overtime last week and all.
The Pens saw a seven-game winning streak come to an end in overtime against the Los Angeles Kings on Friday. They subsequently dropped the following day’s matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs in extra time. Despite a brilliant performance from Marc-Andre Fleury, a wonky bounce in overtime wound up being the deciding factor. The linesman accidentally broke up a Derrick Pouliot zone exit, which allowed Mitch Marner to poke the puck to the slot. Jake Gardiner lofted the puck over a sprawling Fleury to clinch the game for the Leafs.
Home has been a safe haven for the Penguins. They are 6-0-1 in their last seven home games. Their last regulation loss came almost exactly one month ago- ironically, to the Rangers.
Prediction: Nash has been pretty successful against the Pens. His loss makes a world of difference. Take Pittsburgh to win. Play the over.
Other Game Notes Around the NHL
Kings vs Blue Jackets: Columbus just keeps getting hotter and hotter. The Blue Jackets have won nine in a row and 10 of their last 11. Their lone loss in that stretch came in the skills competition. They have been a force to be reckoned with, sitting third in the Metro just three points back of the division lead.
The Jackets have had a bit of an easy schedule so far this month, with games against Colorado, Brooklyn, Vancouver, Detroit and two against Arizona. But they have been just as good against the league’s best, as they are 5-0 against teams with a winning record.
Coming up this week, they have the Kings, Pittsburgh and Montreal. Theoretically, with a Penguins win tonight and a win over Pittsburgh on Thursday with a Rangers loss, the Blue Jackets could find themselves atop the Metro. That would be insanity.
All three games will be at home. Columbus has won 10 of their last 12 at home.
The Kings are normally successful when they venture into Ohio, taking seven of their last nine games at Nationwide Arena. They are halfway through a grueling road trip, where they are 2-2. Their most recent game was a 1-0 shutout loss to the Boston Bruins. That marks the second consecutive game without a regulation goal for L.A.
Prediction: Take the Jackets to win. Play the over.
Avalanche vs Wild: True story: I am writing this from my office job and I was making idle chat with a coworker. Knowing she was wholly uninterested in hockey (“Where are the Islanders from?”), I asked her to make a prediction for this game. After giving a brief explanation as to how the teams were doing and reading the line to her, she ordered me to go with the Avalanche. Gotta go with the underdog, she said.
That’s really the only argument there is to go with Colorado in this one. If you want to fly high with an underdog and roll the dice, sure, bet on them. If you want to keep your money, go with the Wild, who are on a seven-game winning streak.
Incidentally, the Avs are 2-10 in their last 12.
Something to watch at least: Pat Cannone will make his NHL debut tonight for Minnesota at age 30. So that’s at least something.
Prediction: Take Minnesota to win. Play the under.
Blues vs Stars: St. Louis has lost four of their last five road games. Their utter ineptitude on the road has prevented them from claiming the top spot in the Central. With a 4-9-1 record as the visiting team, the Blues will have to snap their skid against the division rival Stars tonight.
Which is easier said than done, considering they have finally begun to lose games at home as well. Plus, Dallas has played some very solid hockey during this homestand of theirs, taking two of three from the Ducks and Flyers. Their lone loss to the Rangers was a 2-0 shutout to a very miffed Henrik Lundqvist.
The Stars have some missing pieces for various reasons, with Patrick Sharp recovering from a concussion and Cody Eakin out serving a suspension. Even shorthanded, they have been playing tight defensive hockey, which is a pleasant change of pace.
Dallas still has one set of consecutive victories all season. Will tonight be the night? At the very least, bet on some scoring.
Prediction: Take the Stars to win. Play the over.
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