Around the NHL: Predictions for February 16th

There are eight games on the schedule tonight. Let’s take a look around the NHL at the day’s top picks, plays and predictions.

Here are today’s starting goaltenders, courtesy of LeftWingLock.

Play of the Day: The under in Flyers-Devils.
New Jersey and Philadelphia played just this past Sunday in what was, objectively, a fairly uninteresting game. The Devils were outshot, out-hit, and out possessed, and high-danger scoring chances were few and far between on both sides.

The Flyers are missing both Sean Couturier and Michael Del Zotto, and their offense is suffering as a result. Philly is 1-3-2 in their last six games, averaging just two goals scored per game.

New Jersey has scored just 13 goals in their last eight games, an average of 1.6 goals per game. The Devils are still without their leading offensive juggernaut, Mike Cammalleri. They are finding ways to win games even still. They have won three games in a row, and five of their last six at home.

Prediction: This game is screaming for you to take the under. It is currently listed at 4.5, but could be upped to 5 closer to game time. Regardless, take the Devils to win yet another low-scoring game.

The Game to Watch: Stars vs Blues.
The Stars are tied with the Blackhawks for the Division lead with three games in hand. With a set of wins, they could actually join the Capitals for a shot at the President’s Trophy.

They have their work cut out for them today. St. Louis has won three of their last four games, including a pair of impressive wins in Florida over the weekend.

Dallas has been taking down the best in the league in the past week, including Chicago, Washington and Nashville. They have won seven of their last eight games overall, four in a row.

Patrick Eaves has been the surprise of the month, especially from a fantasy standpoint. Getting bumped up from the fourth line to playing with Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn will certainly help one’s scoring pace, but Eaves has gone from having three goals and three assists in 32 games to having four goals and three assists in his last five. Eaves is an X-factor heading into this game.

This will be a meeting of a high-powered offense against a stingy defense. The over is 6-1 in Dallas’ last seven games, while the under is 7-1-1 in the Blues’ last nine. They met three times in December, with the Blues taking two of three and the under hitting all three times. The home team has won all three games.

Prediction: Dallas being listed at +118 is appealing considering the roll they are on. Take the Stars to win. Play the under.

Other Game Notes Around the NHL

Ducks vs Oilers: The Ducks are on the tail-end of a back-to-back after lighting up the Calgary Flames 6-4. The over is the most intriguing play, as the over is 7-0-3 in the Ducks’ last 10. Ryan Getzlaf, David Perron and Mike Santorelli have been on a tear. Getzlaf in particular extended his point streak to five games, and has six multi-point games in his last nine.

The Oilers are 1-4 in their last five, with their only win coming against the Maple Leafs. The Eberle-McDavid connection is about the only positive thing coming out of their play recently. Benoit Pouliot notched a four-point night against Toronto. Otherwise, their cracks in their defensive scheme have shown and they otherwise do not have the offensive prowess to make up for it.

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

Sabres vs Senators: Buffalo exploded for three goals in the first period on their way to a 4-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche. Their penalty kill fought off all six powerplays, and Robin Lehner stopped 34 of 35 shots. Jack Eichel scored a beauty of a coast to coast goal by recognizing a slow line change, too. The kid has incredible instincts. That tally brought him to 17 goals on the year.

Ottawa is slip-and-sliding out of the playoff race. Barring some kind of miraculous “Hamburgler” Craze type of run like the end of last season, they may soon find themselves in the basement of the Atlantic Division. They are just four points ahead of Buffalo, and are on a three-game losing skid.

Their defense has been sloppy at best. The Sens were exploited Saturday by the Columbus Blue Jackets, of all teams, falling by a score of 4-2. The first two goals allowed by the Sens were because of an open trapezoid behind the net and failure to pick up a man in the high slot. The third was an odd-man rush where Brandon Saad smoked Jean-Gabriel Pageau down the ice.

Dion Phaneuf has three assists in three games since joining the Senators.

Prediction: The Senators play down to their opponent, as they are 3-13 in their last 16 against teams with a losing record. Take Buffalo to win at +132. Play the under.

Jets vs Hurricanes: The Hurricanes defended home ice Saturday against the New York Islanders. They are 2-0-2 with a pair of shootout losses in their last four games.

The Jets are 5-0-1 in their last six road games. Incidentally, they have had much better luck on the road than at home, as they are 2-8 in their last 10 games at home. Perhaps it is for the better then that the Jets find themselves in the visiting locker room tonight.

Winnipeg has won their last five games in Carolina.

There is a possibility the Hurricanes will be without star defenseman Justin Faulk, who has sat out of practice these past two days with a lower-body injury. If Faulk is out of the lineup, it would be a crushing blow to Carolina’s chances, especially when every point matters on the outside of the playoff picture looking in.

Prediction: Without Faulk, the Canes are in trouble. Cash in on Winnipeg’s road success of late. Take the Jets to win at +110. Play the under.