With eight games scheduled for tonight, let’s take a look around the NHL at the top plays, picks and predictions.
| Flames vs Devils ML +115 / -127 O/U 5 |
Canucks vs Rangers ML +162 / -180 O/U 5 |
| Leafs vs Flyers ML +127 / -140 O/U 5 |
Capitals vs Blue Jackets ML -140 / +120 O/U 5.5 |
| Oilers vs Lightning ML +197 / -220 O/U 5 |
Bruins vs Canadiens ML -102 / -108 O/U 5 |
| Blackhawks vs Predators ML -111 / +101 O/U 5 |
Stars vs Kings ML +121 / -134 O/U 5.5 |
Play of the Day: Canucks over Rangers.
The money line is incredibly slanted in favor of New York, which is unfair considering how the Rangers have played lately. In short, they’ve been an unmitigated disaster. Their defensive core, specifically the triad of Ryan McDonagh, Dan Girardi and Marc Staal, is allowing at least one laughable goal a night. Their special teams have been disorganized and ineffective.
And there have been zero changes on the part of the coach.
The few buttons that have been pushed as far as lineup choices are concerned have been alarmingly questionable. The powerplay groupings have been mostly untouched, meaning Keith Yandle remains buried on the second unit. Accountability is at an all-time low, generally.
The Canucks enter this game having taken two straight games in extra time against two playoff contenders. They scored in overtime to best Carolina, followed by a win in the skills competition to top the Islanders. It has not been pretty by any means. In their last game, the Canucks were outshot 46-21 in regulation time. In the previous game, same story to a tune of 39-18.
Credit for earning the points, but holy crow is that going to come crashing down on them eventually. Vancouver has been a rotten possession team all season. It’s no wonder they own a tie for second-lowest number of regulation-overtime wins this year with 15.
At the end of the day, the Canucks are not very good. But this game will be a matter of confidence and intelligence with the puck. The Rangers have not made tremendous decisions, but it only takes one game against a weaker team to break that.
Prediction: For their own sake, the Rangers desperately need a win. For your sake, a +162 rating for what will probably be an even game is irresistible. Take the Canucks to win.
The Game to Watch: Blackhawks vs Predators.
It’s been nearly a month since the Chicago Blackhawks last lost a hockey game. Tonight could very well be the night. Chicago is currently on an 11-game win streak and a surge towards the President’s Trophy. This could very well be a preview for Round One of the NHL Playoffs this season, which would be in turn a rerun of last year’s playoff series.
Nashville has had less success of late, 1-5 in their last six. But their offense has been remarkably better since slotting Ryan Johansen into their core of forwards. His chemistry with James Neal has not only been a godsend for the team, it has been fun to watch for the fans. Johansen has two goals and five assists in five games with the Preds. They are coming off a 3-0 win over the Wild.
Chicago has been rolling right along these past few weeks. Again I must mention, they have not lost since I began my tenure here at this website. Coincidence? Very yes.
Nashville has given the Hawks trouble, though. They are 2-5 in their last seven on the road against the Preds, and the home team in general is 12-2 lately. The Predators nearly came back from a 3-0 deficit to fall 3-2 just a few games ago. This could be the biggest challenge Chicago has had to face yet on this streak. Can they match the Florida Panthers’ consecutive win total this year?
Prediction: Go with Chicago. If they lose, I won’t let it be because I told them to. Take the over, which has hit more often than not between these teams lately.
Other Game Notes Around the NHL
Flames vs Devils: The depleted New Jersey Devils were able to put together a shutout victory over the Arizona Coyotes the other night. With each passing day the same talking points have been equally as valid as they were the day before: Cammalleri’s absence has neutered the team offensively. Transition has looked weaker without John Moore. On nights where their goaltenders are not totally “on,” they suffer.
Lo and behold, those generic talking points can start to shift a bit.
Mike Cammalleri is close to returning to the Devils’ lineup, as head coach John Hynes indicated that there was a “good chance” he plays tonight. That is an enormous difference maker for New Jersey. The Devils have sputtered without their leading scorer. Getting him back and going right away is imperative for a team still vying for a Wild Card berth.
The Flames have taken the last six meetings between these two teams. They are usually low-scoring games too, as the under is 3-1-1 in their last five meetings. The under is 6-0-1 in their last seven games at the Rock.
It should be noted that the home team is 7-2 in their last nine games, though. With a healthy Cammalleri and Cory Schneider coming off a shutout, this could be a turning point for the Devils.
Prediction: Take the Devils to win at -127. This game will be a stone-cold under, too.
Maple Leafs vs Flyers: Claude Giroux has been a force for the Flyers these past few games. He has five points in three games and is surely licking his chops as he sees Toronto next on the schedule. Philly’s top line has been productive all year, but is finally making the leap towards “dominant” again.
The Flyers will have to go up against James “Seriously Please Give Me Goal Support” Reimer tonight. He has allowed just 12 goals in his last seven starts, yet is without a win in those games.
Prediction: The goals won’t come easy for Toronto tonight. Play the Flyers to win at -140. Take the under 5.
Capitals vs Blue Jackets: The Caps have to be sure not to fall into a trap game against Columbus. A lot rides on the health of Braden Holtby. Over the weekend, he allowed three goals against Buffalo and was pulled, then removed himself from the game against the Rangers for “dehydration.” The question is not so much if Holtby plays, it’s how he plays if he’s given the start. It might be wise just to sit him out against a weak opponent and let Grubauer take the start, but only Holtby really knows if he’s ready.
Prediction: Take the Caps to win this one by a lot. Take the over.
Bruins vs Canadiens: This will be a rematch of the Winter Classic, one that for the sake of the humble viewer is more entertaining to watch. The line is very even, and the play should be too.
Boston will still be without David Krecji, although he did practice on Monday. David Pastrnak has also been out of the lineup with an upper-body injury, which is a huge blow. Pastrnak gets juggled in and around the lineup for Boston. Not being able to play in Krecji’s absence is a developmental bummer.
Prediction: The Habs have gained just 9 points in the standings since December 2nd. Look for Montreal to snap a four-game skid tonight against their bitter rival. Take the Habs to win and play the under.
Oilers vs Lightning: What a time to be alive in Edmonton. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has been deemed out “long-term” after blocking a shot with his hand. So… #LoseforAustonMatthews anyone?
The Oilers were able to beat the Panthers last night for their second consecutive win. Teddy Purcell and Taylor Hall both had three-point nights. Nugent-Hopkins lodged an assist before leaving the game.
The list of people getting points for the Oilers this season has been short. It just got shorter.
Prediction: The Lightning will win tonight with a -220 money line in their favor. Take the over on the game while you’re at it.
Stars vs Kings: The Stars have lost three in a row and six of their last seven. Insert “falling stars” pun here. I’m too lazy to come up with one on my own.
It has not been for lack of production from Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn, though Seguin has cooled off his torrid pace since January began. The duo has combined for six points in the last three games for Dallas. The problem has been keeping the puck out of their net. In their last five losses they have allowed 22 goals, including two six-spots earlier in the month. It does not bode well that they are going up against the Kings who enjoy lighting the lamp. A lot.
Prediction: The +121 line is very tantalizing for the Stars, but go with the recent trend. Play Los Angeles for the win. Take the over.
