With seven games on the docket tonight to wrap up the work week, let’s take a look around the NHL at today’s top picks, plays and predictions.
| Canadiens vs Sabres ML -135 / +122 O/U 5 |
Kings vs Rangers ML -103 / -107 O/U 5 |
| Penguins vs Hurricanes ML -108 / -102 O/U 5 |
Avalanche vs Red Wings ML +162 / -180 O/U 5 |
| Predators vs Lightning ML +136 / -150 O/U 5 |
Blues vs Panthers ML +110 / -121 O/U 5 |
| Flames vs Coyotes ML +119 / -131 O/U 5.5 |
Here are today’s starting goalies, courtesy of LeftWingLock.
Play of the Day: Predators over Lightning.
The Lightning have not lost three games in a row since the end of October. Their loss in Montreal Tuesday marked the first time they lost consecutive games in 2016. They have been one of the hottest teams in hockey, but they have started to falter.
Tampa Bay was outscored 9-3 in their back-to-back against Ottawa and Montreal earlier this week. Neither Andrei Vasilevskiy nor Ben Bishop had a particularly strong game in net. Bishop in particular was uncharacteristically drawn out of position against the Habs which led to some prime scoring chances. Shots were 72-56 in Tampa Bay’s favor.
Nashville has hit every possible scenario in their four games since returning from the All-Star Break. They have lost a heartbreaker 1-0, been blown out 6-3, earned a lopsided victory themselves 6-2, and most recently lost on an almost-comeback 5-3. Consistency has been the name of the game.
Consistency has been the exact opposite of what Pekka Rinne has provided the Predators. Just when it looked like Rinne might finally be finding his footing after months of dreadfully disappointing play, he allowed six goals on just 19 shots against Philadelphia. He allowed four goals on only 22 shots two games later. There have been flashes of the Pekka Rinne Nashville fans have come to know and love. On the whole, he’s been atrocious, sporting a .903 save percentage.
If Rinne can put together a passable game, the Predators have a fighting chance. They are one of the few teams that can go shot-for-shot with Tampa. Ryan Johansen has a goal and four assists on a three-game point streak. Filip Forsberg has been dazzling fans with his incredible release on his wrist shot with three goals and two assists in his last two games.
Nashville has won their last four meetings, and are 4-0 in their last four road games in general.
Prediction: Take Nashville to win at +136. Surprisingly, the over/under is only 5 for this game. It would appear as though this game was tailor-made for a 5.5 marker. Nevertheless, take advantage of it and play the over.
The Game to Watch: Avalanche vs Red Wings.
This game will be a precursor to the Stadium Series game between the two at the end of the month. One of the sport’s greatest rivalries will parade some of the biggest names in history through Coors Field on the 27th- Roy, Sakic, Lidstrom, Yzerman, Winter Classic Trivia Question Ty Conklin. The alumni game between these two teams might actually be the most star-studded lineup yet, and since the Avs are a relatively young franchise, a lot of these players are not too far removed from playing.
Familiarize yourself with each side in preparation for the Stadium Series which should be circled on your calendar. Tonight is a great night for some homework.
EDIT: The line, previously off, has been set at +162/-180 in the Red Wings’ favor, with an over/under of 5. There’s a reason it is so slanted, and there’s a reason it is not much worth your time.
Colorado snapped a four-game skid against the Senators last night. Semyon Varlamov has been underwhelming in his return to action from a civil domestic abuse trial, allowing 10 goals over three games. He will be starting against Petr Mrazek, who has officially won the starting job away from Jimmy Howard. Howard is hitting the trade block.
The Avs have had much better luck on the road, as they are 4-1 in their last five as the visiting team. The home team is 0-5 in the last five meetings between these two teams. All the same, Detroit has been playing much more cohesive hockey, and their goaltender has been red-hot.
Prediction: Take the Red Wings to win. Play the over. The Wings could put up four goals all by themselves on Semyon Varlamov and this defense.
Other Game Notes Around the NHL
Canadiens vs Sabres: The Habs have been playing a lot better recently. They have won three games in a row and have looked like a completely different team in the process. I don’t know if Michael Jordan gave the team his “Secret Stuff” like in “Space Jam,” but whatever changed for them, they shouldn’t question.
They will be on the road for the first time since February 2nd, which may pose a problem. Home-stands are easier to gain momentum on. Carrying that energy over to the road is more difficult. They will have this game to ease themselves into their road trip. Buffalo is a mere 9-16-1 at home, and they have lost four in a row. Their defense is nowhere to be found, allowing 21 goals in that stretch.
Prediction: I give pause at the Canadiens being so heavily favored, but against Buffalo, it makes sense. Take Montreal to win. Play the under.
Penguins vs Hurricanes: The Penguins dominated possession against the New York Rangers and came up empty handed on Wednesday Night Rivalry. It is harder to envision Cam Ward putting on the same kind of stellar performance that Henrik Lundqvist did.
Even despite the shutout, Pittsburgh has one of the top offenses in the league this past week or so. They had been averaging 4.2 goals per game before Wednesday.
Carolina has been suffering from the turnover bug. Their play in the defensive zone, which is normally pretty solid at beginning breakouts, has been tumultuous. They have been unable to clear the puck, and they look flatfooted against more aggressive forechecks. The speed of Calgary and the newfound hustle of Montreal forced a lot of errors. Needless to say, they will have their hands full with Crosby, Kessel, Hagelin and company.
Prediction: The line is pretty even, but the best investment is Pittsburgh here at -108. Take the over.
Flames vs Coyotes: This is the stone-cold under of the day. The under is 4-0 in the last four meetings, yet 5.5 is the over/under marker. There was a 5.5 bar set for Canucks-Coyotes a few days ago where the under hit, which hopefully people took advantage of.
The Coyotes have now lost five straight. They must be missing John Scott, I guess. They have been allowing plenty of goals in that stretch, but their opponents have been some of the best offenses in the league. Calgary has offensive ability yes, but 5.5 is just too much of a risk.
Prediction: Take the Flames to win at +119. Play the under.
Blues vs Panthers: This will be another entertaining game between two playoff teams that don’t meet much. It is also a clashing of playing style. The Blues have been getting into low-scoring contests, where the over has been a hit plenty in the Panthers last handful of games.
The Blues were 6-0 against Florida before this season. The Panthers won their first meeting back in December.
The Cats are 11-1-1 at home in their last 13. Florida’s offense has been getting hot, especially in the depth-scoring department. Vincent Trocheck, Jussi Jokinen and Reilly Smith combined for three goals and five assists against Buffalo.
Prediction: It will be a great goaltending battle between Elliot and Luongo, but take the Panthers to win. Play the under.
Kings vs Rangers: The line came in late with the Kings set at -103 and the Rangers at -107. Jump all over the Kings. Even though they have been inconsistent and even though they were beat up on last night by the Islanders, the Kings are the bet to go with.
Los Angeles crushes New York in puck possession time after time. Their last meeting has probably been blocked out of Ranger fans’ minds, with a 4-2 loss seeming like 10-2 with the way the ice was tilted. The Rangers simply have no answer to the speed and skill of Anze Kopitar, Jeff Carter and the dreaded Doughty-Muzzin pairing.
The Blueshirts will be without their human crutch Henrik Lundqvist tonight, starting Antti Raanta. Granted, Peter Budak will be in net for the Kings tonight for his first NHL start this season, but Budaj probably won’t be seeing much action tonight. All the pressure is on New York, who escaped Pittsburgh with a 3-0 win despite being outshot and out played all game long.
Prediction: Take the Kings to win. Play the over. This game could get ugly.
