Welcome to the weekend. There’s a full day of hockey ahead with 12 games to be played today starting at 1 PM EST. So let’s take a look around the NHL at today’s top picks, plays and predictions.
| Capitals vs Devils ML -145 / +131 O/U 5 |
Rangers vs Flyers ML +107 / -118 O/U 5 |
| Oilers vs Canadiens ML +121 / -134 O/U 5.5 |
Islanders vs Red Wings ML -101 / -109 O/U 5 |
| Sabres vs Bruins ML +180 / -201 O/U 5 |
Maple Leafs vs Senators ML +109 / -120 O/U 5.5 |
| Penguins vs Panthers ML OFF / OFF O/U OFF |
Wild vs Blues ML +126 / -139 O/U |
| Sharks vs Predators ML +101 / -111 O/U 5 |
Blackhawks vs Stars ML +101 / -111 O/U 5.5 |
| Jets vs Avalanche ML OFF / OFF O/U OFF |
Flames vs Canucks ML +113 / -125 O/U 5 |
Play of the Day: Sabres over Bruins.
The Bruins managed to come back and top the Sabres in the shootout Thursday night in Buffalo. It was the third time this season the road team has gotten the win in the series. This bodes well for the Sabres in tonight’s game at the TD Garden.
Buffalo leapt out to a hot start, grabbing the first two goals of the contest thanks to superhuman efforts by Brian Gionta and Evander Kane on the first goal and a nifty deflection by Sam Reinhart on the second. Boston marched back, getting the equalizer on one of the cooler coast-to-coast plays I’ve seen this year off the stick of Brad Marchand, at the end of a penalty kill no less.
The Sabres have been playing tight games. Their two prior matchups had been wins in Ottawa and Montreal. They had also nearly stolen a comeback against the Rangers. The fact that the line is so ridiculously set against them is begging for a play on the Sabres.
Buffalo will probably start Robin Lehner tonight per LeftWingLock. Chad Johnson had started on Thursday. Tuukka Rask will get the nod again from the Bruins.
Prediction: At +180(!!), there’s no way I’m not taking a chance to cash in big on Buffalo. Play the Sabres to win. Take the under.
The Game to Watch: Blackhawks vs Stars.
We may just have a preview of the Western Conference Semi-Finals on our hands tonight. The Stars have won both of their games since returning from the break, topping the Jets and most recently the Avalanche in overtime. John Klingberg scored the game-winner. Dallas once again dominated in shots against the Avalanche. Same story as usual against Colorado, but this time they managed to triumph.
They did lose Jason Spezza in the process. Spezza took a nasty hit into the end boards by Francois Beauchemin in the second period. Head coach Lindy Ruff expects him to be out “more than a few days.”
Chicago is also undefeated since the break. They have bested the Avalanche and the Coyotes, the latter in overtime as well.
The key to success for Dallas is going to be suffocating the Chicago attack. Arizona’s fatal flaw was allowing the Hawks too much time and space, especially down low. All five goals scored by Chicago Thursday looked to be from the hashmarks and in. The Stars are usually fine at suppressing high-danger chances from within their own zone, but they are susceptible to allowing lots of breakaways and odd-man rushes. The key will be controlling the puck and limiting mistakes in the neutral zone and in transition.
In their previous meeting, Dallas dominated the scoreboard (4-0) and the shot battle (32-20).
Prediction: Even though the Stars are a very good home team, winning 11 of their last 14, the Blackhawks as an underdog looks to be the way to go. Take Chicago to win. Definitely play the over.
Other Game Notes Around the NHL
Capitals vs Devils: It is Martin Brodeur weekend, leading up to the unveiling of his statue and number retirement Tuesday night. Just for laughs, they should put up a Sean Avery statue forever screening Brodeur outside the Rock.
It’s a point that was joked about after the Capitals’ 3-2 win against the Islanders, but it bears addressing: both Alex Ovechkin and Braden Holtby admitted feeling rusty after the All-Star Break in their post-game presser. Ovi scored the game-winner and Holtby earned his 31st win. If that’s rusty, what’s full-strength?
The goal for the night for New Jersey has to be containing shot quality, both at evens and while on the penalty kill. The Caps have not scored in their last 12 powerplay attempts but it goes without saying how lethal they can be. The fact is that the Caps are the best offense in the league in points per game, while the Devils currently sit at second-worst at goals per game, and third-worst in overall scoring.
It does not help that Mike Cammalleri will be sitting out once again for the Devils.
Prediction: The Caps are favored at -145, which may seem extreme for a road team. But this is not just a road team. It’s the Capitals. Take Washington to win. Play the over.
Rangers vs Flyers: This will be a matchup of first lines. J.T. Miller has eight goals in eight games for the Rangers. He and center Derick Brassard have combined for seven goals and six assists in their last three games.
No line in hockey has been as hot as Voracek-Giroux-Simmonds, though. Both Simmonds and Voracek are on a five-game point streak. Simmonds has six goals and three assists. Voracek has three goals and seven assists. Which leaves Giroux, with only three goals and five assists in his last five. What a slacker.
Shayne Gostisbehere also deserves to be thrown in. GhostBear has a six-game streak of his own with a goal and seven assists. Ho hum.
The injury bug has claimed vital players on both sides. Rick Nash remains sidelined with a leg bruise, though reports say he has difficulty walking. Sean Couturier has been ruled out at least four weeks for Philly.
Kevin Klein is questionable for today’s game. He is back in practice and vying to play because his injury does not require surgery and “can’t get worse.” Not sure that’s the most ringing endorsement when Dylan McIlrath is more than capable at filling in to allow him more time to heal.
The Rangers are 3-7 in their last 10 in Philadelphia. They are 3-13 in their last 16 road games. Outside of the comforts of Madison Square Garden, New York can’t buy a win.
Prediction: Take the Flyers to win. Play the over.
Oilers vs Canadiens: It’s Montreal limbo! How low can you go? Apparently pretty low. The Habs fell 4-2 to the Sabres Wednesday and they don’t even look good doing it. It doesn’t help that Connor McDavid and Jordan Eberle have been positively killing it since reuniting.
Prediction: Lower the limbo bar. Take the Oilers to win at +121. Play the over 5.5. It could get ugly at the Bell Centre.
Islanders vs Red Wings: Johnny Boychuk is back, and for real this time! It’s been rumored all week that he may return any day, and Newsday confirmed he will be in the lineup today against Detroit. This is obviously tremendous news for the Islanders’ defense, which has not been nearly as effective without him there.
Jaroslav Halak has not liked the road much this season. He is just 4-5-3 in 12 road games this year.
Andreas Athanasiou has been recalled from Grand Rapids to center Tomas Tatar and Gustav Nyquist today. Athanasiou is a speedy 21-year-old who grabbed his first NHL goal back in early November.
Prediction: The tides will turn for the Isles today with Boychuk back. Take the Isles to win. Play the under.
Sharks vs Predators: The Predators’ momentum has died quickly following the All-Star break. They lost a back-and-forth game against the Blues 1-0 on Tuesday, then were humiliated by the Flyers Thursday 6-3. Any confidence Pekka Rinne built after weeks of improvement was shot into oblivion by the Flyers’ monstrous first line.
The Sharks stole a very impressive game away from the Blues on the road. San Jose has been unbelievably good on the road this year, touting the best visiting record in the league. They are the road warriors, and they have 10 of 14 games on the road this month. They are 5-0 against Central Division opponents of late, though they are 0-5 in their last five against Nashville. Look for them to change that tonight.
Prediction: Take the Sharks to win. Play the under.
Flames vs Canucks: The Flames are fading from the playoff picture fast. The fact that they’re in it at all is a testament to the weakness of the Pacific this year. Both teams are in dire need of a change of fortune, though.
The Flames are 1-4 in their last five. The Canucks are 1-2-2. Marginally better.
Prediction: Give the slight edge to Vancouver. Play the under.
