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New York Rangers v. Boston Bruins
Projected Goalies: Igor Shesterkin v. Jeremy Swayman
The Rangers enter this game fresh off an emotional loss last night against Washington on national television. New York was fired up after the Tom Wilson incident on Monday but they failed to translate that energy into good hockey as they focused on fighting instead of scoring goals in a 4-2 loss. Boston was upset on Tuesday in overtime as the Devils defeated them 4-3. The Bruins were rolling going into that game having previously won 4 in a row. All the indicators point to an easy win tonight for the B’s but there are a few hiccups to watch out for. Shesterkin has been really solid in goal this season and while Swayman has good numbers, it's hard to trust a goalie with only 8 career starts.
The Bet: Under 5.5 Total Goals
Prediction: Rangers 2-3 Bruins
New Jersey Devils v. New York Islanders
Projected Goalies: Mackenzie Blackwood v. Semyon Varlamov
New Jersey won their last game in overtime over Boston by a score of 4-3. The win was their 4th in their past 5 games. New York is fresh off consecutive defeats to the Sabres that has seen then drop to 4th place in the East Division. The Islanders have already clinched their spot in the postseason but they need more wins and points if they want to avoid facing the division winner in round 1. Blackwood went through a tough stretch in goal not that long ago but he is fundamentally sound and will face off against one of my current picks for the Vezina Trophy in Varlamov who owns impressive numbers on the season.
The Bet: Under 5.5 Total Goals
Prediction: Devils 1-3 Islanders
Buffalo Sabres v. Pittsburgh Penguins
Projected Goalies: Michael Houser v. Tristan Jarry
One of the best stories in the NHL this week has been the emergence of Michael Houser. The career minor leaguer is 28 years old and had never played an NHL game until the other day when he defeated the Islanders 4-2 and then followed it up with a 4-3 shootout win over them again on Tuesday. Houser’s feel good story is awesome but sadly I think it will come to an end tonight. The Penguins are fresh off a 7-3 drubbing of the Flyers on Tuesday and they have won 6 of their last 8 games. Pittsburgh sits just behind Washington in the race for top spot in the East Division so they have something to play for tonight.
The Bet: See My Parlay
Prediction: Sabres 1-4 Penguins
Montreal Canadiens v. Toronto Maple Leafs
Projected Goalies: Cayden Primeau v. Jack Campbell
This matchup could be a first round preview if us hockey fans get what we want. Toronto has all but locked up 1st place in the North Division while Montreal sits in 4th place right now but could move ahead of Winnipeg into 3rd if things go smoothly for them down the stretch here. Montreal enters this contest fresh off a bad 5-1 loss to Ottawa last night. The Canadiens have some bad injury problems as Brendan Gallagher, Carey Price, and Shea Weber remain out. Toronto lost to Montreal in overtime on Monday but prior to that they had won 5 games in a row. The Maple Leafs are trying to gear up for a deep playoff run and there is no better practice for that than playing a team you might see in round 1.
The Bet: Maple Leafs Regulation Moneyline
Prediction: Canadiens 2-4 Maple Leafs
Chicago Blackhawks v. Carolina Hurricanes
Projected Goalies: Colin Delia v. Petr Mrazek
Another night of hockey and another Blackhawks v. Hurricanes matchup. This is the third straight game between these two squads and this mini-series has not been favorable to Chicago. Carolina has won both matches in convincing fashion. The losses have extended the Blackhawks losing streak to 6 games while the Hurricanes win streak has now hit 5. You’d expect Chicago to come out with some energy as they should have pride in avoiding an embarrassing sweep but the gulf in quality between these two teams is just too much to make up. Delia has spent his entire year on the taxi-squad or in the minor leagues and is 0-3 on the year giving up over 4 goals per game, I think that is all the info you need for this one.
The Bet: Over 5.5 Total Goals
Prediction: Blackhawks 3-5 Hurricanes
Vancouver Canucks v. Edmonton Oilers
Projected Goalies: Thatcher Demko v. Mikko Koskinen
There was a time just a week or two ago when the Canucks were legitimately in a playoff race, now they are dead last in the North Division. Vancouver has lost 6 games in a row and not one of them has been close. The Canucks have scored 1 goal in 4 of those 6 losses, that is almost hard to do. The Oilers, meanwhile, are heating up at the right time. Edmonton is on a 3 game win streak and the play of Connor McDavid, which is always phenomenal, has been on another level recently. McDavid has multi-point games in 8 of his last 9 appearances, that is incredible. I was a little shocked to see Demko get the starting nod tonight considering he was in goal Tuesday when Vancouver lost 4-1 to this same Oilers team but that could also have to do with Holtby’s awful career numbers against Edmonton, even dating back to his days in Washington.
The Bet: Over 5.5 Total Goals
Prediction: Canucks 2-4 Oilers
Fancy a Parlay?
Penguins & Hurricanes to Win
