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Montreal Canadiens v. Calgary Flames
Projected Goalies: Jake Allen v. Jacob Markstrom
Tonight is the third and final installment in the recent series between these two. The Flames have won each of the first two games by scores of 4-2 and 5-2. Those wins have been necessary for Calgary to stay afloat in the race for the 4th spot in the North Division, a space currently occupied by Montreal. Both teams have some crucial injury concerns right now as Brendan Gallagher and Carey Price remain out for the Canadiens and Noah Hanifin was just ruled out for the remainder of the season for the Flames. The most notable aspect of tonight's game is the NHL debut for Montreal’s top prospect, Cole Caufield. The young American sniper is well known in the hockey community due to his impressive performance in the IIHF World Junior tournament this year as well as winning the Hobey Baker award as the best college hockey player in the country. I think Montreal will be desperate tonight to avoid being swept and Caufield being inserted into the lineup will bring some extra energy to a side that needs it.
The Bet: Canadiens Moneyline
Prediction: Canadiens 3-2 Flames
Vancouver Canucks v. Ottawa Senators
Projected Goalies: Braden Holtby v. Marcus Hogberg
The other team in the hunt for the 4th playoff spot in the North Division is Vancouver. The Canucks, who missed nearly a month with Covid-19 issues, have won 3 of the 4 games since their return to play. These two teams are also concluding a 3 game set tonight with the first two games being split between the two sides. Ottawa has a mini-crisis in goal right now as both Matt Murray and Anton Forsberg are out injured. Hogberg will fill in tonight but he has given up over 4 goals per game on average so far this season. I am shocked to see the Canucks as only slight favorites in this game so I will be riding them hard tonight.
The Bet: Canucks Moneyline
Prediction: Canucks 4-3 Senators
Colorado Avalanche v. St. Louis Blues
Projected Goalies: Jonas Johansson v. Jordan Binnington
This matchup is also the final game in a 3 game series and the first two matches were split evenly between the two teams. St. Louis is trying to claw themselves into the playoffs as they currently sit in 5th place in the West Division, 1 point behind Arizona with 3 games in hand. Colorado’s regular goalie, Philip Grubauer, remains out due to contracting Covid-19, and Devan Dubnyk gave up 4 goals to this same Blues team last time out, which means Johansson will start in goal. Johansson has been better since coming over from Buffalo but the young goalie is still limited in experience and will likely do more harm than good tonight.
The Bet: Blues Moneyline
Prediction: Avalanche 3-4 Blues
Carolina Hurricanes v. Dallas Stars
Projected Goalies: James Reimer v. Jake Oetinger
Carolina lost 4-3 in overtime to Florida in their last game. The Hurricanes remain in the top spot in the Central Division but they have two teams breathing down their neck. Dallas secured a 2-1 win in overtime in their last game against Detroit. The Stars are in 5th place in the Central Division but are only 2 points back of Nashville with 2 games in hand. Dallas has won 5 of their last 6 games overall and that stretch run has put them in a position to control their own destiny these final few weeks. James Reimer had a solid start to the season in goal but his numbers have cooled off significantly. Reimer has allowed 3 or more goals in over half of his last 5 starts and has only played in 2 games all month.
The Bet: Stars Moneyline
Prediction: Hurricanes 2-4 Stars
Florida Panthers v. Nashville Predators
Projected Goalies: Chris Drediger v. Juuse Saros
The Panthers 4-3 overtime win over the Hurricanes on Saturday was their 4th win in 5 games. This solid run has allowed them to leapfrog in state rivals Tampa for second place in the Central Division. Nashville comes into this game well rested after having last played Friday in a 3-1 win over Chicago. The Predators need wins and points to stave off Dallas in the race for the 4th and final playoff spot in the Central Division. Florida is certainly the better team here but Dreidger has been unreliable in his last 4 starts which the Panthers have won just 2 of and Dreidger has conceded more than 3 goals in half of. Saros, on the other hand, has been carrying the Predators for much of the season and I expect more of the same here tonight.
The Bet: Predators Moneyline
Prediction: Panthers 2-3 Predators
Edmonton Oilers v. Winnipeg Jets
Projected Goalies: Mike Smith v. Connor Hellebuyck
Edmonton has had just under a week off as their last game was a 4-3 loss to Montreal on Wednesday. Winnipeg, meanwhile, has lost 3 games in a row and they haven't played well in any of them, losing by 2 or more goals in each contest. The Jets are a better team than this stretch indicates and they know that with a win tonight they could jump Edmonton for 2nd place in the North Division which is crucial for home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Mike Smith is projected to start tonight despite limping off the ice during practice the other day. Smith looked pretty banged up which leaves me far too concerned to put my money in his corner tonight.
The Bet: Jets Moneyline
Prediction: Oilers 2-4 Jets
Anaheim Ducks v. Los Angeles Kings
Projected Goalies: John Gibson v. Jonathan Quick
If Gibson starts, bet on the Ducks. I’m tired of previewing these terrible west coast matchups between two rebuilding teams that are throwing out awful rosters on purpose.
The Bet: Ducks Moneyline
Prediction: Ducks 3-2 Kings
Arizona Coyotes v. San Jose Sharks
Projected Goalies: Darcy Kuemper v. Josef Korenar
The Coyotes roll into this game fresh off a 4-0 shutout win over the Kings on Saturday. Arizona currently owns that coveted 4th spot in the West Division and can help add to their point total tonight against a reeling San Jose squad that has lost 8 straight games. This horrendous run has seen the Sharks go from a team with life to a team that is dead in the water (no pun intended). The Sharks are turning to young backup goalie Josef Korenar tonight, who has never won an NHL start, gives up more than 3 goals per game, and owns a sub .900 save percentage. I have no idea why Arizona is only a -120 favorite, this is a no brainer.
The Bet: Coyotes Moneyline
Prediction: Coyotes 4-1 Sharks
