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Pittsburgh Penguins v. New Jersey Devils
Pittsburgh saw their 6 game winning streak end at the hands of the Bruins last time out in a 2-1 loss. The Devils snapped a 4 game losing streak last time out against the Sabres winning 3-2. Both these teams will be down a top center tonight as Evgeni Malkin picked up an injury last game and will not play and Nico Hischier remains out for New Jersey. This game will be closer than each team's record indicates and I think the goalies will be the difference in the end. Take Mackenzie Blackwood over Tristian Jarry.
The Bet: Devils Moneyline
Prediction: Penguins 2-3 Devils
Chicago Blackhawks v. Tampa Bay Lightning
Chicago has started to cool down recently as they have lost 4 of their past 5. Tampa got back in the win column last night with a 4-3 win over Dallas in the shootout. There is a gulf in quality between these two teams with Tampa being far superior to Chicago. If the Blackhawks have any shot of winning they will need Patrick Kane and his top line teammates to carry them while Kevin Lankinen holds down the fort. I will pass on that happening tonight.
The Bet: Under 6.5 Total Goals
Prediction: Blackhawks 2-4 Lightning
Nashville Predators v. Florida Panthers
Nashville sits in 7th place in their division and have lost 6 of their past 8 games. If it weren’t for teams like Buffalo and Detroit, more people would be talking about how bad the Predators are. Florida, on the other hand, have mostly avoided the national spotlight despite having an unreal year. They are on a 4 game winning streak and sit in the top-3 of the overall NHL standings. This game is a mismatch on paper and it will be a mismatch on the ice too.
The Bet: Panthers Puckline
Prediction: Predators 1-4 Panthers
Columbus Blue Jackets v. Carolina Hurricanes
The mystery that is head coach John Tortorella and is his coaching decisions has been the main storyline in Columbus this season. Recently he benched their most dynamic forward, Patrik Laine, for the third period in a loss to Dallas then told reporters afterward it was not a benching. When your teams biggest problems involve the coach and are off the ice, that is not a recipe for success. Carolina has proved to many this year they are legit but their last game saw them lose to a bad Red Wings team. Going up against a Columbus team spiralling into disarray, I see the Hurricanes rebounding with an easy win.
The Bet: Hurricanes Puckline
Prediction: Blues Jackets 2-4 Hurricanes
Philadelphia Flyers v. New York Islanders
Philly got absolutely killed last night, and I mean killed. They lost 9-0 to the Rangers and just looked slow and disinterested. Even though Carter Hart has struggles this year, you have to think he will be better tonight against the Islanders than Brian Elliot was last night against the Rangers. The Islanders were on a massive win streak before getting relatively controlled by Washington last game. The loss of captain Anders Lee for the rest of the season is one that will actually cut deep. There is no statistical reason to back the Flyers tonight but you have to assume they will come out hitting after that embarrassment on national TV last night.
The Bet: Flyers Moneyline
Prediction: Flyers 3-2 Islanders
Dallas Stars v. Detroit Red Wings
Dallas played the defending champion Lightning hard last time out but ultimately lost the game in the skills competition. Jake Oetinger will start tonight and although he is a rookie, he has made a solid impact when his name is called. Detroit were shock winners against Carolina last game and will look to continue winning tonight. Jonathan Bernier starts in goal for the Red Wings and over the past 2 years no goalie has given Detroit a better chance to win. Dallas needs wins to get back in the playoff picture and Detroit is a prime place to pick them up.
The Bet: Stars Puckline
Prediction: Stars 3-1 Red Wings
Winnipeg Jets v. Edmonton Oilers
Both these teams played last night and both of them came away with high scoring wins. Edmonton is looking to climb the standings and catch the Jets for the number two spot in the North Division. Tonight's goalie matchup will feature both teams' second opinions as Laurent Broisset will go against Mikko Koskinen. In back-to-backs you can typically expect fewer goals meaning whichever goalie makes fewer mistakes will win, I will back the veteran Koskinen over the younger Broisset.
The Bet: Oilers Moneyline
Prediction: Jets 2-4 Oilers
Minnesota Wild v. Colorado Avalanche
If you asked someone before the year who would be the better team in this matchup they would no doubt say Colorado, although the standings so far say otherwise. The Wild keep finding ways to win and they’ve upped their streak to 5 in a row now. Cam Talbot will spell the hot rookie goaltender Kappo Kahkonen and that could be the difference in the end. Colorado smashed the Ducks last game 8-4 but obviously know that tonight will require a better all around game against a better all around team. Philip Grubauer has been elite so far this season in net for the Avalanche and I think that continues tonight.
The Bet: Under 5.5 Total Goals
Prediction: Wild 1-3 Avalanche
Arizona Coyotes v. Anaheim Ducks
It is a case of a very poor offense against another very poor offense tonight in Orange County. The Coyotes have struggled to fill the net all season and were shut out last game against Minnesota. The Ducks managed to score 4 last game but are still the lowest scoring team in the NHL on average. The first to two goals may win tonight, and I see the Coyotes winning that race.
The Bet: Coyotes Moneyline, Over 5.5 Total Goals
Prediction: Coyotes 4-2 Ducks
Fancy a Parlay?
Hurricanes, Lightning, Stars & Panthers to Win
Daily Fantasy (DFS) Plays of the Day:
Center: Sebastian Aho-He scored last time out and gets a good matchup tonight against Columbus. His exposure on the top forward line and top power play unit make him an elite play.
Wing: Jonathan Huberdeau-Perhaps the most underrated star player in the league, Huberdeau has been amazing this year. He has a multi-point effort in 2 of his last 3 and gets a prime matchup against Nashville tonight.
Defense: Devon Toews and/or Samuel Girard-As long as Cale Makar remains out, these two are great fantasy plays. They eat up ice time and both get great powerplay exposure to elite forwards like Nathan Mackinnon.
Goalie: Jake Oetinger-A rookie backup goalie will come cheaper than the bigger names and he gets a matchup against a lowly Detroit team.
Utility: Jack Hughes-If the Devils have any hope of beating the Penguins tonight they will need their top center to show up. I still don’t trust Tristian Jarry as a goalie and think that might be evident tonight.
