There are nine games on the docket tonight. Let’s take a look at the top picks, plays and predictions.
| Wild vs Sabres ML -134 / +121 O/U 5 |
Coyotes vs Flyers ML +158 / -175 O/U 5.5 |
| Islanders vs Penguins ML +171 / -190 O/U 5.5 |
Panthers vs Maple Leafs ML -105 / -105 O/U 5.5 |
| Lightning vs Canadiens ML -107 / -103 O/U 5 |
Red Wings vs Blues ML +153 / -170 O/U 5 |
| Stars vs Jets ML +103 / -114 O/U 5.5 |
Predators vs Kings ML +127 / -140 O/U 5.5 |
| Blue Jackets vs Sharks ML +174 / -194 O/U 5.5 |
Here are tonight’s starting goaltenders, courtesy of LeftWingLock.
Play of the Day: Flyers over Coyotes with the over.
Arizona is looking really rough this year. Like, really, really rough.
Their road trip went from bad to worse on Tuesday night, as they fell 5-3 to the New Jersey Devils. Their road record is now 0-5, and they have one more to get through before they return home.
Philadelphia should be licking their chops. They’ll be taking shots at Louis Domingue tonight, who is now 0-4 with a 5.03 goals-against average and .851 save percentage. That is not just bad. That’s minor league bad. Philly is fifth in the league in powerplay percentage to start the year as well, coming in with an efficiency rating of 26.9%. This is more bad news for Arizona, who is fifth worst in the league in penalty killing.
The Flyers should be able to skate rings around the Yotes tonight. The over is absolutely the safe play tonight, given Arizona’s propensity to bleed goals. Claude Giroux currently leads the NHL in assists with eight, incidentally. Matt Read is one of just seven skaters in the league with five or more goals.
Home teams are 5-0 in the last five meetings between these two teams, just to make things worse for AZ. The over is 5-1 in the last six encounters.
Oh, we got trouble brewing.
Prediction: Take Philadelphia to win. Play the over.
The Game to Watch: Lightning vs Canadiens.
The two teams atop the Atlantic Division square off tonight. The Montreal Canadiens have started off the year on an impressive run, winning six games in regulation with just one shootout loss. Three of those wins coming on home ice. The Tampa Bay Lightning, meanwhile, have started 5-1-0, with a 2-0 record on the road.
Tonight will be a battle in the goaltending department. Though Ben Bishop is by all measures an elite goaltender, his statistics hardly reflect well on him. Despite a 3-1 record, his goals-against average is a whopping 3.51, with a .885 save percentage. Tampa is winning games thanks to their offense, but they will need a strong game from the giant in net. And he will have to perform without his two front teeth, just to add insult to injury- or perhaps, injury to insult.
On the other end of the ice, Carey Price has shown no signs of rust after missing most of last year with a myriad of injuries. Price is a perfect 3-0, with a 1.67 goals-against average and a .939 save percentage. Montreal is tops in the league in goals-against per game, due in large part to Price’s return to dominance.
Shea Weber is quickly dispelling the panic surrounding his arrival (there are other things about the trade that brought him here to hate, but I digress). Weber is the team’s leading scorer during their surge to the top of the NHL standings, posting three goals and six assists. Two of those goals have come on the man advantage. While his possession stats have taken a predictable dive, he is still a +12 at 5v5 for those who like that sort of thing. That mark leads the NHL.
Brendan Gallagher leads the team with four goals.
The Bolts have won games because of their offense, which ranks third in the league in goals-for per game. Price and the Habs’ defense may be up to stymy the torrid offensive attack in white and blue. Steven Stamkos, back in Tampa to stay after spending the entirety of last year unsure of his future, has nine points to start the year. Alex Killorn is tied with Stamkos for the team lead in goals with five.
When a hot offense runs into a hot defense/goaltender, my money will be on the goaltender nine times out of 10.
Prediction: Take the Habs to win. Play the under.
Other Game Notes Around the NHL
Islanders vs Penguins: An untested road team is heading into the house of a hot home team. The Pens are 4-0-1 at home this season, with their most recent victory coming Tuesday night over the Panthers. Brooklyn has not been the visiting team since the first week of the season, and they dropped both games against the Rangers and Capitals.
The Isles are winless in their last four road games and winless in their last seven games against Metro Division opponents.
Traditionally, the home team has the advantage in their meets.
Prediction: Take the Pens to win. Play the under.
Red Wings vs Blues: Perhaps the biggest surprise of the season has been Jimmy Howard’s stellar play. Howard has allowed just one goal on 63 shots and has made some phenomenal saves, in particular in his NBC game against the Rangers.
Problem is Jimmy Howard is not in net tonight. Nor should he be.
Petr Mrazek is the Red Wings’ number one, plain and simple. But to keep that spot, he’s gotta up the ante. Detroit is on a five-game win streak, and if Mrazek can tighten up his mechanics just a bit and get a little confidence in his game, the Wings will be a dark horse in the Atlantic.
St. Louis lost a bad one on Tuesday against the Calgary Flames. Given the slanted line, this could be a fun play on Detroit.
Prediction: Take the Red Wings. Play the over.
