There are eight games on the schedule tonight. Let’s take a look around the NHL at the top picks, plays and predictions.
| Jets vs Flyers ML +171 / -190 O/U 5 |
Blue Jackets vs Capitals ML +201 / -225 O/U 5 |
| Sabres vs Red Wings ML +156 / -173 O/U 5 |
Maple Leafs vs Lightning ML +210 / -235 O/U 5 |
| Avalanche vs Predators ML +196 / -219 O/U 5 |
Ducks vs Oilers ML -155 / +140 O/U 5 |
| Flames vs Coyotes ML +120 / -133 O/U 5.5 |
Kings vs Sharks ML -102 / -108 O/U 5 |
Here are tonight’s starting goaltenders, courtesy of LeftWingLock.
Play of the Day: The over in Avalanche vs Predators.
The Colorado Avalanche are clinging to life by a thread. After dropping an all-important game against the Minnesota Wild on home ice Saturday, the Avs now face a five-point deficit with seven games to play. What’s worse is that their remaining schedule is positively brutal, including two games against the Blues, two games against the Predators, the Capitals, Stars and Ducks. Oh, and four of those games are on the road. Not that their play at home has been any better. Yikes.
The Avs allowed four goals in both of their last two games to the Flyers and Wild. It is entirely possible that the Avs get lit up again on the road. However, Colorado does play surprisingly well on the road and against Nashville in particular, so this game could very well end up being 4-3.
James Neal tallied his seventh goal in six games saturday, reaching the 30-goal mark for the second time in his career. Roman Josi is on the verge of breaking franchise records as well, tying the Nashville record for points by a defenseman with 56 set by Shea Weber just two seasons ago. His 44 assists are a franchise best.
The over is 8-2-1 in the last 11 meetings in Nashville. It is 5-0-2 in the last seven Predator home games and 8-1-4 in the last 13 overall for Nashville.
Prediction: Take the Preds to win. Play the over.
The Game to Watch: Kings vs Sharks.
The San Jose Sharks are very close to officially locking up a playoff spot as the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings have already done. Looking to snap a three game losing streak, home-ice advantage is still very much so a possibility for the Sharks for their first round matchup.
The Kings sit three points ahead of the Ducks atop the Pacific Division standings. Anaheim is in Edmonton tonight with what should be a virtual win. With Ducks holding a game in hand as well, this is a crucial game for Los Angeles. It means the difference between playing the Nashville Predators and round one and playing San Jose.
Which, the last time they met in the first round, it was an eventful series. The Sharks blew a 3-0 series lead and the Kings won the Stanley Cup.
The season series is split 2-2, with the road team taking all four games. Perhaps it is a testament to how inconsistent the Sharks’ play is at home this season, as they have been outscored 7-3 at the SAP Center. The Kings have taken five of the last six meetings at the Shark Tank.
Kris Versteeg will remain out of the Kings’ lineup tonight.
Prediction: Why buck the trend? Take the Kings to win on the road. Play the over.
Other Game Notes Around the NHL
Jets vs Flyers: The Flyers lost a spirit-breaker in Arizona Saturday against the Coyotes. What should have been two points in the bag instead was a regulation loss that saw their captain Claude Giroux leave early.
Giroux is expected to play tonight, though he is going through the league’s mandatory concussion protocol.
The loss means that Philly is still in a points tie with the Red Wings with a game in hand. The Red Wings are at home against the Sabres, meaning that tonight is a must-win for the Flyers.
Winnipeg is 1-4 in their last five road games. They are 1-12 against the Eastern Conference.
Prediction: It’s desperation time for the Flyers. Take Philly to win. Play the under.
Sabres vs Red Wings: Meanwhile, in the other camp for the Eastern Wild Card spot, the Red Wings are currently on the outside looking in. Their incredible postseason streak is at risk, and their play of late has been far from encouraging. They fell apart late against the Lightning to lose 6-2, allowed three goals in the third period against the Habs to barely hang on for a 4-3 victory, then were lit up by Pittsburgh in a 7-2 defeat.
The Wings are in the first leg of a back-to-back. Tomorrow they go on the road to play the Canadiens. Jimmy Howard has been named the starter tonight, a move that could make or break their playoff chances. A loss tonight and a Flyers win could spell doom for Detroit, even if Buffalo is a lottery team.
The cons of starting Jimmy Howard- over his last six appearances he has allowed 16 goals on 136 shots (.882 save percentage).
The pros of starting Jimmy Howard- he is 6-0-1 in his career against Buffalo with a 1.46 goals against average and a .941 save percentage.
The real question is which Jimmy Howard will Detroit get tonight with their season hanging in the balance?
Prediction: It’s more of a gamble than the line gives it credit for. Betting on this game could very well depend on who you root for. Detroit fans, give Howard some faith and take them to win. If you love a little anarchy, taking the Sabres to win at +156 is not the craziest thing in the world. Play the under.
Maple Leafs vs Lightning: The Toronto Maple Leafs are coming off what is probably their best home stand of the season. They took four of six at the Air Canada Centre, including a 4-1 win over their opponent tonight and a 6-5 overtime win against the Ducks.
Will their fortune continue on the road? Probably not. Toronto is winless in their last four ventures to Amalie Arena. Tampa will also be skating frivolously to keep pace with the Panthers.
Prediction: Take the Bolts to win. Play the over.
