NHL Update: The Washington Capitals have given new head coach Barry Trotz a full buy in to start the season and the results are reflective of that with the Capitals posting a 4-1-0-2 mark to start the season. Last year team captain Alex Ovechkin loafed on the back check and the defense was among the worst in the NHL. Trotz is one of the top defensive coaches in the NHL and the change has been dramatic with the Capitals ranking fourth in the NHL for goals against and third for shots against. Meanwhile the offense has improved because of the defense forcing opponent mistakes. The Caps ranked eighth in the NHL for goal scoring and third on the power play. Trotz and the Caps are a team to keep an eye on as the Eastern Conference lacks dominant teams and Washington would seem poised to potentially fill that void.
Wednesday Night Rivalry Night
The Washington Capitals will host the Detroit Red Wings at the Verizon Center on Wednesday night with coverage on NBCSN starting at 7:30 PM ET. Washington has won four out of their last five games against Detroit with the last five meetings between the Caps and Wings going over the total. We’ll take the Capitals to keep rolling against Detroit.
Hockey Night in Canada Saturday Night
The Toronto Maple Leafs will host the Chicago Blackhawks at the Air Canada Center on Saturday night with coverage on NHLN and CBC starting at 7 PM ET. Chicago has come away with the money in eight out of their last nine games against Toronto with five out of the last seven meetings between the Blackhawks and Maple Leafs going over the total. Toronto remains a dreadful team and terrible board value. The Leafs won just three out of their first eight games and ranked 20th in the NHL for goals against.
NHL Hometown Hockey Tour Sunday Night
The Montreal Canadiens will host the Calgary Flames at the Bell Centre on Sunday night with coverage on CITY and RDS starting at 7 PM ET. Calgary has been an outstanding value against Montreal with seven payouts in their last nine games against “Les Glorieux” as just one out of the last five games between the Flames and Habs have gone over the total.
