There are 12 NHL games on the docket tonight before Christmas break. Let’s take a look at the top picks, plays and predictions.
| Sabres vs Islanders ML +125 / -145 O/U 5 |
Wild vs Rangers ML +135 / -155 O/U 5 |
| Devils vs Penguins ML +185 / -225 O/U 6 |
Lightning vs Capitals ML +175 / -220 O/U 5 |
| Canadiens vs Blue Jackets ML +135 / -155 O/U 5.5 |
Red Wings vs Panthers ML +135 / -155 O/U 5 |
| Bruins vs Hurricanes ML -110 / -110 O/U 5 |
Avalanche vs Blackhawks ML +220 / -275 O/U 5.5 |
| Kings vs Stars ML +117 / -130 O/U 5.5 |
Canucks vs Flames ML +170 / -200 O/U 5 |
| Maple Leafs vs Coyotes ML -150 / +130 O/U 5.5 |
Oilers vs Sharks ML +145 / -165 O/U 5 |
Here are tonight’s starting goaltenders, courtesy of LeftWingLock.
Play of the Day: The under in Devils vs Penguins.
I cannot remember the last time the Devils had an over/under set at six in one of their games, regardless of opponent. But given how explosive the Penguins have been of late and how prone New Jersey has been to getting run out of the building especially on the road, the oddsmakers see this one as a scorefest.
I’m still not sold on it.
Granted, I thought that the goaltending battle would account for more than it did in last night’s Penguins-Blue Jackets game. But with both teams on the tail-end of a back-to-back, I really am not counting on the over hitting tonight.
Pittsburgh got absolutely thrashed last night by Columbus, losing by a score of 7-1. Scott Hartnell netted a hat trick in the loss, which infuriated head coach Mike Sullivan.
Mike Sullivan had some words for John Tortorella after the Blue Jackets went up 7-1: https://t.co/NHaYzYYGn6 pic.twitter.com/otOtIpd8pW
— SB Nation NHL (@SBNationNHL) December 23, 2016
Sullivan was irritated that his former coaching partner John Tortorella continued to use his top powerplay units even when up 6-1. In hindsight, given the Penguins just put up seven themselves in their previous game and hardly seemed like they wanted to slow things down, my guess is that Mike Sullivan was looking for a reason to be angry.
When you lose by that much, even the smallest of perceived slights can irritate you. So the next meeting between Columbus and Pittsburgh should be fun.
New Jersey is coming off a totally different kind of game. Despite getting beaten, boarded and cheap shotted all night, the Devils managed to shut down the Philadelphia Flyers in a 4-0 victory. Cory Schneider secured his first shutout on the season and the 22nd of his career.
P.A. Parenteau and Adam Henrique both lodged multi-point nights in the victory.
The Devils have struggled all year on the road, and have had an especially hard time winning in Pittsburgh these last few years. I anticipate a more energized Penguins team after getting embarrassed last night, but they could very well be alone in their quest to reach the over.
Prediction: Take the Penguins to win tonight. Six is just too far out of reach for two tired teams. Play the under.
The Game to Watch: Oilers vs Sharks.
Even though the San Jose Sharks have two games in hand on the Edmonton Oilers, the copper n’ blue have a chance to enter the Christmas break with first place under their belt. The two teams are in a points tie for the Pacific Division lead with 41 points a piece.
Both teams come in relatively hot, too. The Oilers have won four of their last five, including a regulation win over the Arizona Coyotes, breaking a five year curse. San Jose, meanwhile, has won five of their last six, as well as four of their last five home games.
Despite the Sharks’ solid home record of 11-4-0, the Oilers are just one of two teams in the Western Conference with double-digit wins on the road, making this one a trickier game to call than the line would make you think. Not to mention Edmonton has collected five of a possible six points in their last three trips to the Shark Tank (2-0-1).
Martin Jones has been stellar in his few games against the Oilers in his career, though: 3-1-1 with a 1.56 goals-against average and two shutouts.
Some bad news for the Oilers this morning: Tyler Pitlick will officially miss the remainder of the season with an ACL injury. Pitlick had eight goals and three assists in 31 games this season.
Prediction: Take the Sharks to win. Play the over, which has hit in six of the last seven meetings between these two teams.
Other Game Notes Around the NHL
Rangers vs Wild: The New York Rangers got an extra day to lick their wounds after an embarrassing 7-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins Tuesday night. Their defense was sloppy and humiliatingly slow, their offense lacked punch without Rick Nash in the lineup, and Antti Raanta unfortunately was not transformed into a 4×6 brick wall in the netmouth. Sidney Crosby would still find a way to score on him anyway, probably.
Minnesota is looking to push their winning streak to 10 games. Devan Dubnyk earned his 17th win of the season, stopping 32 of 34 shots on goal. Eric Staal’s shorthanded goal proved to be the game-winner. Staal has 26 points in 32 games, revitalizing what many thought was a career on life support this offseason. He enters this matchup on a six-game point streak.
Do you think Madison Square Garden has an emotional video tribute to Staal’s tenure as a Ranger? On this date one year ago, Carl Hagelin made his return to MSG. I’m sure this is exactly the same.
It is unclear at present whether Dubnyk will be in net again. If he is, that’s bad news for New York. Minnesota can finally improve their road record to .500 with a victory tonight. With a break looming, they will likely ride their red-hot goalie knowing rest is on the way.
Adam Clendening will likely enter the lineup tonight for the Rangers to provide an offensive boost to an otherwise inept blueline.
Prediction: Take the Rangers to win on the sole reason they come into this game more rested. Play the over.
Canadiens vs Blue Jackets: So last night was pretty sick for Jackets fans, eh? A win over the hated Penguins is great in of itself, but lighting them up for seven goals? That’s just sweet vengeance. Columbus is more often than not on the losing end of the high-scoring battles with the Penguins. Their first-round matchup back in the 2014 playoffs comes to mind. So last night was a great statement game.
Cam Atkinson scored again on the powerplay. He leads the league in points on the man advantage.
Montreal let two leads slip through their fingers in a frustrating loss to the Wild last night. Max Pacioretty opened the scoring with a shortie, but they allowed a shortie of their own later in the game in what proved to be the game winner.
Carey Price was uncharacteristically sloppy. His first goal allowed banked off his pad on a wrist shot following a wraparound that got him to drop early. The game-winner off Staal’s stick beat him short side on a clear-sight shot from an angle.
Al Montoya will be in net for Montreal. Montoya’s last venture into Columbus…well, let’s just say it did not go well.
Prediction: Take the Jackets to win. They probably won’t put 10 past Montoya again, but what the hey, play the over.
Avalanche vs Blackhawks: The Avs are horrible and the Blackhawks are tied for the President’s Trophy. Colorado is winless in their last four against Chicago. The Avs played last night.
You know what to do.
Prediction: Take the Blackhawks to win. Play the over.
Kings vs Stars: Dallas still has not won consecutive games since November. Their loss at home against the Blues in overtime earlier this week means they will have to start all over again tonight.
Tyler Seguin is on a six-game goalless drought, while Jamie Benn has been held off the scoresheet in his last three. If they are looking to spark their offensive output, it may not come on the man advantage. L.A. has killed off the last 22 powerplays they have faced.
In their last meeting, the Kings came away with a 4-3 victory despite blowing Dallas away in the shot battle. The Kings outshot Dallas 39-20 back in October.
Los Angeles has won three of their last four encounters with Dallas.
Prediction: Take the Kings to win tonight. Play the over.
