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New York Islanders v. Washington Capitals
Projected Goalies: Semyon Varlamov v. Vitek Vanecek
This game is the 3rd and final matchup in a miniseries between these two squads. The Capitals have won each of the first two games, one close and one in a rather commanding fashion. Ilya Samsonov started both of the wins for Washington but tonight it will be Vanecek in goal. Washington will also be without superstar forward Alex Ovechkin and puck moving defenseman Justin Schultz. I doubt the Islanders will get swept, a Barry Trotz coached team has too much heart and soul to drop 3 in a row to the same opponent.
The Bet: Islanders Moneyline
Prediction: Islanders 3-1 Capitals
Philadelphia Flyers v. New Jersey Devils
Projected Goalies: Brian Elliot v. Mackenzie Blackwood
These two teams met on Sunday and it was the Flyers who came away with a 4-3 shootout win. The Flyers are out of the playoff race at this point but they can still play for pride. Brian Elliot started in the win on the weekend and he will get the nod again tonight with Carter Hart suffering from an injury at the moment. The Devils are down in the dumps as they have lost 10 straight games. Mackenzie Blackwood has had a rough go of it and will sadly be tossed back into the fire tonight. With the way the Devils are playing, Philly should be a much higher favorite.
The Bet: Flyers Moneyline
Prediction: Flyers 4-2 Devils
Boston Bruins v. Pittsburgh Penguins
Projected Goalies: Tuukka Rask v. Tristan Jarry
Boston is on a short little two game skid here. They lost 6-4 to Buffalo and then followed that up with a sad 1-0 shutout loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday. Prior to that the Bruins were on a tear following some serious roster shakeup at the trade deadline. The Rangers are hot on their heels in the race for the 4th spot in the East Division so Boston ought to know they can’t take any nights off. Pittsburgh has somehow found a way to rattle off wins despite missing Evegni Malkin for such a long time. Pittsburgh is 1st in the East Division at the moment but they have played 1 more game than Washington. I think Boston bounces back tonight against a Pittsburgh team dealing with a slight injury problem.
The Bet: Bruins Moneyline
Prediction: Bruins 3-2 Penguins
Buffalo Sabres v. New York Rangers
Projected Goalies: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen v. Igor Shesterkin
Buffalo has played better hockey since firing Ralph Krueger and snapping their massive losing streak, but they are still cellar dwellers. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is one of their top prospects and he will make his second career start after earning the win in his NHL debut on Friday. The Rangers still have life in the playoff race and they know every game is crucial from here on out. They have the friendly matchup here with Buffalo and they took advantage of it with a 6-3 win on Sunday. I expect them to take advantage of it again tonight but by a much closer margin.
The Bet: Under 6.5 Total Goals
Prediction: Sabres 2-3 Rangers
Detroit Red Wings v. Columbus Blue Jackets
Projected Goalies: Jonathan Bernier v. Elvis Merzlikins
This game is the classic case of a moveable force versus a stoppable object. Detroit is eliminated from playoff contention and last place in their division. Columbus is among the lowest scoring teams in the league and have lost 9 straight games. I’ll keep it simple in this preview, if Jonathan Bernier starts, take Detroit, if Thomas Greiss starts, take Columbus.
The Bet: See Above
Prediction: NA
Tampa Bay Lightning v. Chicago Blackhawks
Projected Goalies: Andrei Vasilevskiy v. Kevin Lankinen
Tampa is among the NHL’s best teams but they are still fighting for something late in the season here. First place is so important in the Central Division since there is such a drop off after the top 3 teams. The Lightning are currently 3 points back of Carolina and need a win here tonight to close that gap further. Chicago has had a few days off since their last game which was a loss on Friday night. Their chances of playoffs have slipped away and now they are focused on establishing a strong tone to end the season and hopefully bring momentum into next year. Tampa will be the more desperate team here tonight and that will help them secure all 2 points.
The Bet: Lightning Regulation Moneyline
Prediction: Lightning 4-1 Blackhawks
Florida Panthers v. Nashville Predators
Projected Goalies: Sergei Bobrovsky v. Pekka Rinne
These two teams met last night and it was the Predators who came away with a 4-1 victory. Nashville needed that decision more than Florida since they are in a heated battle with Dallas for the 4th spot in the Central Division. Florida has the luxury, however, of having a strong goalie tandem which will allow them to throw out Sergei Bobrovsky tonight. In what will be a battle of some long time veteran goalies, it will be Rinne who comes out on the losing end.
The Bet: Panthers Moneyline
Prediction: Panthers 4-2 Predators
Carolina Hurricanes v. Dallas Stars
Projected Goalies: Alex Nedeljkovic v. Anton Khudobin
The last game of the night isn’t so much a late game but it is still interesting. Carolina has clinched a playoff spot but now they are gunning to clinch the division title. Dallas has gained ground on Nashville, and even with games in hand, they could tie them for that 4th and final playoff spot out of the Central Division. These two teams also played last night and it was Dallas who won in overtime thanks to a wonderful play by standout rookie Jason Roberston. I think Dallas comes up big here tonight, especially since they have the goalie advantage in the back-to-back.
The Bet: Stars Moneyline
Prediction: Hurricanes 1-3 Stars
