.png)
.svg){kind=small}
Washington Capitals v. Philadelphia Flyers
Washington nearly bottled a massive 3rd period lead against the Devils last game and will look to batten down the hatches tonight. These two teams met Sunday and Washington commanded a 3-1 win in a game that stifled the Flyers normally potent offense. Philly needed the shootout to beat the awful Sabres last game and typical starter Carter Hart has been very bad recently. Hart will sit on the bench tonight as veteran Brian Elliot will draw the start in goal. This game is a complete toss up.
The Bet: NA
Prediction: Capitals 3-3 Flyers (choose your own adventure)
Florida Panthers v. Columbus Blue Jackets
These two teams met on Tuesday, with Florida getting the better of Columbus by a score of 4-2. Sergei Bobvrosky will start for the Panthers tonight and while his play has turned a corner recently, his overall numbers are still far below what is expected out of a $10+ million goalie. Elvis Merzlikins returns from injury tonight for the Blue Jackets to guard the cage, but he too has poor overall numbers on the year. Columbus desperately needs a win and oftentimes desperate teams might sacrifice defensive soundness for offensive opportunity.
The Bet: Over 5.5 Total Goals
Prediction: Panthers 4-3 Blue Jackets
Pittsburgh Penguins v. Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo nearly, and I mean nearly, snapped their long losing streak last time out. Jumping out to a 4-1 lead over Philly was ultimately not enough thought as they lost in the skills competition. Jack Eichel is still out and Jonas Johansson draws another start in goal as the losing streak looks primed to continue. Pittsburgh continues to stay alive in the playoff race in the East Division and as long as Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are healthy, they have a chance to beat anyone.
The Bet: Over 5.5 Total Goals
Prediction: Penguins 4-2 Sabres
Nashville Predators v. Carolina Hurricanes
It seems as if everyday the Predators learn of a new injury. Their latest blow is captain, top defenseman, and reigning Norris Trophy winner, Roman Josi, being out week-to-week. The Predators backline is banged up right now and they lost another key cog in young defenseman Dante Fabbro, who got suspended 2 games for an illegal elbow to the head of Hurricanes player Brock McGinn. The Hurricanes have injury woes of their own in Teuvo Tervainen and as of today, Vincent Trocheck, being considered day-to-day and likely out tonight. No doubt as to who is primed to take this contest, however.
The Bet: Hurricanes Puckline
Prediction: Predators 1-4 Hurricanes
New Jersey Devils v. New York Islanders
The Devils fought extremely hard against Washington on Tuesday and turned a 4-1 third period deficit into a 5-4 nail bitter of a loss. The Devils are a young team, and often games like that can spark inexperienced players and give them confidence that otherwise wasn’t there. The Islanders are winners of 6 straight and sit atop the throne of the East Division. The caveat to their torrid run, however, has been the strength of competition. Of those 6 wins, 3 came against last-place Buffalo, and one against a depleted Bruins squad. I think the boys from Long Island come crashing back down to Earth tonight at the hands of a Mackenzie Blackwood show stopping performance.
The Bet: Devils Moneyline
Prediction: Devils 3-1 Islanders
Winnipeg Jets v. Toronto Maple Leafs
These two played an entertaining game Tuesday that saw Winnipeg come away with a 4-3 win. The back and forth affair only reaffirmed what I have believed all season, these are the two best teams in the North Division. I think tonight both coaches will make some changes to their gameplan in order to stifle the opposition's top players. Last game saw Auston Matthews pot two goals while the Jets top-6 forwards combined for 3 of their 4 goals. Neither coach will want the other teams star players to shine again and we could see a tight checking game north of the border.
The Bet: Under 6.5 Total Goals
Prediction: Jets 2-3 Maple Leafs
New York Rangers v. Boston Bruins
The Rangers welcomed back Artemi Panarin to practice yesterday which will surely bring a boost to team morale. The Russian superstar had been away from the team for personal/political reasons and will need a few training sessions before he is game ready again. The Bruins have hit a bit of a rough patch, losing 3 of their last 4. Boston will be down 3 regular defenseman and starting goalie Tuuka Rask tonight. This is a game I can totally see the Rangers winning but I’m not sure I am confident enough in backup goalie Alexander Georgiev to get the job done.
The Bet: Over 5.5 Total Goals
Prediction: Rangers 4-3 Bruins
Tampa Bay Lightning v. Detroit Red Wings
You can look up all the stats you want, read into all the tea leaves you want, and you will still not find a good enough reason to believe Detroit can win this game. The Lightning are what we thought they were, and that is the best team in the NHL. These two teams met Tuesday and Tampa needed overtime to get the job done. I would be shocked if it got anywhere close to going past regulation tonight.
The Bet: Lightning Puckline
Prediction: Lightning 5-0 Red Wings
Chicago Blackhawks v. Dallas Stars
Chicago wanted to ride the hot hand in goal last game, so they let Malcolm Subban get the start. Poor mistake. Subban got lit up for 5 Stars goals and the Blackhawks lost a game they were never truly in. Tonight, star rookie netminder Kevin Lankinen will reclaim his spot between the posts. Dallas has started to get hot, which is needed with their congested schedule, and will no doubt see another game against Chicago as a prime opportunity to pick up 2 more points. I see Dallas taking this one rather easily but I have lost too much money betting against Kevin Lankinen this year already. I will, however, bet against the Blackhawks defensive core.
The Bet: Over 5.5 Total Goals
Prediction: Blackhawks 3-4 Stars
Montreal Canadiens v. Calgary Flames
A meeting of the only two teams to fire their coaches thus far occurs tonight in Alberta. As everyone predicted before the season, this game will come down to the tactical decisions of Dominique Ducharme and Daryl Sutter...wait what? Montreal has picked their play up and last night they smoked the Canucks 5-1 in Vancouver. On the second half of a road back-to-back and playing against a team riding the new head coach bounce, I see the Flames coming out on top.
The Bet: Flames Moneyline
Prediction: Canadiens 2-4 Flames
Fancy a Parlay?
Hurricanes & Lightning to Win
