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New York Islanders v. Washington Capitals
The premier matchup in the NHL tonight features two of the hottest teams in the league, both of whom reside in the East Division. The Islanders, winners of 9 in a row, have been tearing through their competition recently and will look to continue that trend tonight as Semyon Varlamov will start against the team that drafted him. The Capitals are winners of 5 in a row and are coming off a 6-0 thrashing of Buffalo last night. Ilya Samsonov will draw the start tonight, making it an all-russian goalie battle in the nation's capital. Typically in back-to-back matchups the tired team loses and less goals are scored, I will roll with the trends tonight as the Islanders seek to make it a round 10 in a row.
The Bet: Islanders Moneyline, Under 5.5 Total Goals
Prediction: Islanders 3-2 Capitals
Boston Bruins v. Pittsburgh Penguins
Speaking of back-to-backs, these two met last night in Pittsburgh as the hosts walked away with a 4-1 win. Don’t look now but the Penguins have won 6 in a row and are proving they can hang in what looks to be the toughest division in the NHL. Boston has continued their midseason slide as they now sight squarely in a playoff race for 1 of the last 2 spots in the East Division. The injuries to their blueline hurt, and in a back-to-back that will feature two backup goalies, one of whom will be making his first NHL start in Boston’s case, we could see the red light shine a lot in Western PA.
The Bet: Over 5.5 Total Goals
Prediction: Bruins 4-3 Penguins
Buffalo Sabres v. New Jersey Devils
It is the famous case of an extremely movable object versus an easily stoppable force. Buffalo, losers of 11 straight games, are sitting firmly in 31st place in the NHL and things are only getting worse. The Devils, who are only not in last place in the East Division because of Buffalo, are losers of 10 straight home games and find themselves back in Newark tonight. This is probably the highest the Devils will be favored in a game all year and with Mackenzie Blackwood in goal opposite rookie Jonas Johansson, there is a clear advantage for New Jersey.
The Bet: Over 5.5 Total Goals
Prediction: Sabres 2-4 Devils
Carolina Hurricanes v. Detroit Red Wings
Another team on a ridiculous win streak at the moment is Carolina, who have not lost in 8 straight games. Last time out they got the better of Detroit 2-1 in a game that they thoroughly controlled. The Hurricanes are still down Teuvo Teravainen and Vincent Trocheck, which will hurt their top-6 forward group, but there is still enough quality there to generate goals. Detroit will start Johnathon Bernier, who gives them a marginally worse chance at victory than Thomas Greiss. I fancy the Hurricanes to extend their unbeaten run tonight in the Motor City.
The Bet: Hurricanes Puckline
Prediction: Hurricanes 4-1 Red Wings
Arizona Coyotes v. Minnesota Wild
The Coyotes have been slipping recently as they have lost 3 in a row and have fallen to 6th in the West Division. Arizona has certainly been hurt by the injury to goaltender Darcy Keumper, but there is a reason they employ Antti Raanta as a backup to give themselves two good options in net. Minnesota has been a surprise team this season and a big reason for that is the play of two fantastic rookies, Kirill Kaprisov and goalie Kappo Kahkonen. Kaprisov is running away with the Calder Trophy at the moment and his dynamic play threatens opposing defenses every time he touches the ice. Kahkonen has won 8 straight starts and has given the Wild a piece in net they hadn’t had in quite some time. All indicators point to another Wild win but the Coyotes have dropped two straight to this team and tonight the series will wrap up with a Desert Dogs win in the State of Hockey.
The Bet: Coyotes Moneyline
Prediction: Coyotes 3-2 Wild
Tampa Bay Lightning v. Dallas Stars
Tampa has been a little in-and-out recently. They split each of their past two series 1-1 but the competition was not great against Nashville and Detroit. The Lightning played last night and rested top goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy for tonight's matchup in Dallas. The Stars are still playing catchup on their schedule and understand that games in hand are only useful if they turn into wins. Dallas will start rookie goalie Jake Oetinger tonight who has impressed so far this season. The Lightning are priced down about as low as you will see them this year and I do not have confidence in Oetinger’s first start against Tampa, especially considering most of his starts so far have been against Nashville and Detroit.
The Bet: Lightning Moneyline
Prediction: Lightning 3-1 Stars
Anaheim Ducks v. Colorado Avalanche
The lowest scoring team in the NHL has been back up to its usual tricks, or lack thereof, recently. After scoring 5 or more goals in two straight, the Ducks have managed to score just twice in their past three games. John Gibson will be in goal again tonight but it must be hard knowing you essentially need to put up a shutout just to get a win. Colorado is starting to turn those gears again as they have won 3 straight since Nathan Mackinnon returned from injury. Regular starter Philip Grubaur is projected to be rested tonight for backup Hunter Miska and although unconfirmed, this switch does not move the needle enough to back Anaheim.
The Bet: Avalanche Puckline
Prediction: Ducks 2-4 Avalanche
Fancy a Parlay?
Hurricanes, Devils & Avalanche to Win
Daily Fantasy Plays of the Day:
Center: Sebastien Aho-A prime matchup with the Detroit Red Wings offers this top-line center and powerplay quarterback great exposure to a possible multi-point game.
Wing: Jake Guentzel-Double digit fantasy points in 8 of his last 9 and playing on the top-line with elite center Sidney Crosby makes this young American winger an ideal target tonight for your lineup.
Defense: Ty Smith and/or P.K.Subban-Either or both of these defensemen tonight are great options in a matchup against the punchless Sabres. Buffalo is tired after a game last night and will be starting a backup goalie. Both these defensemen get power play time as well.
Goalie: James Reimer-The Hurricanes have been one of the best teams in the NHL this season and tonight will play one of the worst in Detroit. Enough said.
Utility: Andre Burakovsky-Bura, as he is called, has points in 4 of his past 5 games and his status as a top-6 winger in a high flying Colorado squad has not changed all year. The Ducks have good goaltending but the rest of their team is far below average which should open up skating and shooting room for this silky Swede.
