Around the NHL: Predictions for January 26th

There are nine games slated for tonight. Let’s take a look around the NHL and at the top picks, plays and predictions of the night.

Play of the Day: Devils over Penguins.
With a win, the Devils can leapfrog over the Islanders into the third divisional spot in the standings. They have been on a tear, winning four games in a row. All four have come by two or more goals, two of them included an empty netter.

Their offense has been revitalized since the return of Mike Cammalleri. Cammalleri has three assists in three games back, while linemate Lee Stempniak has four goals and an assist. As a team the Devils have scored 13 goals in the three games with “Cammy” in their lineup again.

The Penguins have staged consecutive impressive comebacks in their last two games. Three goals in the second period helped them overcome a 2-0 hole against the rival Flyers. Then four unanswered goals in the third period lifted them over the Canucks.

The fact that Pittsburgh puts themselves at a disadvantage with their early play is a larger issue. Their top six has been superhuman in getting them back in games. Evgeni Malkin’s hat trick against the Canucks to spur the comeback on was nothing short of magnificent.

This will be a meeting of two division rivals with hot offenses that are hungry to move up in the standings. The difference-maker could very well be goaltending. New Jersey likely holds the advantage in that department. Early game struggles could come back to haunt Marc-Andre Fleury and the Penguins against a team that is as stingy as the Devils.

Prediction: Take the Devils at +149. Play the over.

The Game to Watch: Avalanche vs Sharks.
The Devils-Penguins game would probably be my leading choice for the best game of the night as well given the ramifications the outcome will have on the playoff picture. As far as immediate impact is concerned, Avs-Sharks is next highest on that list.

The Avalanche are currently tied with the Wild as the two Wild Card spot holders. The Sharks have one less point than the Avs, but sit at second in their division by virtue of a weak Pacific.

San Jose is on a nine-game point streak now with a six-game point streak at home. Their offense, which has been operating efficiently, will be going up against Calvin Pickard, the Colorado backup who has allowed just two goals in his last two starts on 48 shots.

This game would be the best contender of the night to hit the over regardless of what it would be set at. Both teams love to light the lamp against one another, as their last contest indicated. Colorado trumped the Sharks 6-3 at the end of December.

Prediction: The Sharks have been seizing control of home-ice advantage lately. Take San Jose to win.

Other Game Notes Around the NHL

Blackhawks at Hurricanes: This will be the final game for both teams before the All-Star break. Carolina got the best of the Blackhawks in late December by a score of 2-1. This prompted Chicago to go on a 12-game win streak. They have since come crashing down to earth offensively by scoring three goals in their last three games.

The Canes are coming off a 5-2 drumming of the Calgary Flames. Home ice advantage could be a definite factor, especially since the Blackhawks simply look like a tired hockey team. No one is going to benefit from the week off more than them.

Prediction: The Hurricanes at a +129 at home is a pretty intriguing play. Take the Canes to win. Play the over.

Predators vs Canucks: The Canucks have been playing winning hockey, but have been letting a couple of games slip through their fingers. They have won three of their last five, but could easily be on a five-game win streak if not for two blown leads in the third period against the Rangers and Penguins.

It should also be clarified that winning does not necessarily mean good. They have been horrendously outshot in most every game except their last. They are one of the worst possession teams in the entire league. Their inability to stifle chances is what makes collapses like the ones against the Rangers and Penguins possible. It also makes their winning ways inherently unsustainable.

The Predators are in the midst of their four-game tour of Western Canada. They have won three of their last four. Pekka Rinne has had two bounce-back performances in their last two games after looking pretty awful by his standards. Even if it was against two weak teams in Edmonton and Winnipeg, it’s a step in the right direction for someone who has nowhere to go but up.

Prediction: Play the Predators to win. Take the under.

Maple Leafs vs Panthers: Predictions are always more fun when you have to choose between two of the best goaltenders in the league. James Reimer could very well join Roberto Luongo in contention for the Vezina Trophy, with the only problem being that he cannot get any goal support to save his life. This will continue to be a problem tonight.

Prediction: It will probably be a 2-1 game. Pick the Panthers to come out victorious.