Around the NHL: Predictions for March 3rd

With 12 games on the schedule tonight, let’s 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: Rangers over Penguins.
The New York Rangers are looking to extend their dominance in Pittsburgh as they take on the Penguins tonight. Henrik Lundqvist, who just recently turned 34, will be starting against Marc-Andre Fleury.

Counting the playoffs, the Rangers are 4-0-1 in their last five games in Pittsburgh. They are 4-0-1 in their last five against the Penguins in the regular season. Lundqvist is 29-19-8 in his career against Pittsburgh, with four shutouts. He is 8-2 in his last 10 starts.

Though the Penguins have been hot at home, they have not been able to close out games against more competitive teams. They are 1-5 in their last six against teams with a winning record.

Jesper Fast is questionable tonight as he is sick with the flu. If he cannot play, Dylan McIlrath will likely be listed as the extra skater on the fourth line. He likely will not see much ice time if that is the case. Rick Nash remains week-to-week.

The line juggling means that Eric Staal will likely get more time. Staal played 15:43 in his Rangers debut, which was a season-low for him. The move and the acclimation process is likely accountable, though Staal will likely see third-line minutes with Kevin Hayes and Oscar Lindberg. He had one shot on goal.

Prediction: The under is 3-2 in their last five regular season meetings, 7-3 in their last 10 including playoffs. Take the Rangers to win. Play the under.

The Game to Watch: Blackhawks vs Bruins.
The Blackhawks are coming off a big Wednesday Night Rivalry win in Detroit last night. They will be looking to get their third consecutive win for the first time since February 2nd-6th. That may not seem like a very long time, but for the Chicago Blackhawks, it’s an eternity. They are still clinging to a two point lead in the Central Division, with both the Stars and Blues hot on their trail.

The Boston Bruins are vying for a divisional playoff spot, sitting a point ahead of the Red Wings for the third seed in the Atlantic. They will be experimenting with John-Michael Liles and Lee Stempniak tonight after their pair of trade deadline deals. The two possession specialists with an offensive touch could be exactly what the Bruins need, considering they are 1-4 following a win in their last five.

Boston is 0-4 against teams with a winning road record.

A lot is dependent on Chicago’s starting goaltender, seeing as it is the second leg of a back-to-back. If Corey Crawford is in net, Chicago will be much better off. If Scott Darling is given the start, which is likely according the LeftWingLock.

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

Other Game Notes Around the NHL

Lightning vs Senators: The Senators are 5-1-1 in their last seven games, with their latest contest ending in a 4-3 loss to the Blues in the skills competition.

Tampa Bay has won seven in a row now after their most recent 2-1 victory over Toronto.

Ottawa currently sits five points out of a playoff spot, and will be turning to Andrew Hammond to be their starting goaltender to replace an injured Craig Anderson. Stop me if you’ve heard this before.

Unfortunately for the Hamburglar, his miraculous run appears all the more unlikely this season considering his meteoric fall from grace. Hammond is 3-6-3 with a 2.98 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage. He has allowed 15 goals in his last three starts.

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

Devils vs Predators: The smart play for most any Devils game from here on out is the under. The Devils offense has been anemic all season, and it only got worse after deadline day as they dealt away leading scorer Lee Stempniak for draft picks. With no Mike Cammalleri return in sight, the Devils are going to be starved for goals now more than ever.

Prediction: Take the Preds to win, and play the stone-cold under.

Flames vs Sabres: The Calgary Flames cleaned up in the deal that sent defenseman Kris Russell to Dallas. They are still stuck in neutral when it comes to winning hockey games, however. They have now lost six in a row, and are 0-4 against Eastern Conference opponents of late. They have an abysmal record on the road as they head into Buffalo tonight.

The Sabres have at least been playing somewhat competitive hockey. Four of their last five losses have been decided by just one goal. They are 2-3-1 in their last six overall.

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

Islanders vs Jets: The Isles have won four of their last five, all of them on the road. Thomas Greiss has been fantastic in net, boasting a 17-6-3 record with a league-leading .931 save percentage.

The Jets have lost six of their last seven and are 0-5 in their last five home games. This season has been a catastrophe for Winnipeg and it cannot come to a close fast enough. Mike Hutchinson will likely be the starter for Winnipeg. His numbers are just about the polar opposite of Greiss’- 7-12-1, .906 save percentage, 2.95 goals-against average.

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

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