There are seven games on the docket tonight. Let’s take a look around the NHL at the top picks, plays and predictions.
| Flames vs Sabres ML +110 / -130 O/U 5 |
Rangers vs Penguins ML +140 / -160 O/U 5.5 |
| Avalanche vs Blue Jackets ML +120 / -140 O/U 5.5 |
Lightning vs Predators ML +115 / -135 O/U 5 |
| Wild vs Stars ML -105 / -115 O/U 5.5 |
Blackhawks vs Oilers ML -105 / -115 O/U 5.5 |
| Devils vs Sharks ML +195 / -215 O/U 5 |
Here are tonight’s starting goaltenders, courtesy of LeftWingLock.
Play of the Day: The under in Flames vs Sabres.
This is a stone-cold under play. The under has hit in each of the last five games Calgary has played on 0 days’ rest. It is also 3-0-2 in their last five overall.
The Flames have scored just 15 goals in regulation in 10 games this month. For those playing at home, that’s an average of 1.5 goals per game.
Despite their offensive woes, they are still 4-6-0 in the month of November, which really is not all that bad, all things considered. Their last four games have been decided by just one goal, and they have won three of them. Sometimes, hockey is weird.
The Buffalo Sabres have somehow performed even worse, mustering just 12 goals in 10 games. That equates out to 1.2 goals per game. If you thought Calgary’s offensive output was bad, the Sabres have been atrocious.
So, what do you get when two of the most anemic offenses in the league go head-to-head? You get a stone-cold under play. I am honestly surprised that the over/under was not set at 4.5. Both teams have been mired in goal-scoring droughts and are missing their headlining talents. This could very well finish 2-1 in a shootout.
The Sabres are 3-5-2 in November. Again, could be a lot worse.
The Flames are 1-10 in their last 11 trips to Buffalo. The long trip usually is trouble for Calgary, but both these teams are so bad that literally anything is possible.
Prediction: Take Calgary to win. Play the under.
The Game to Watch: Wild vs Stars.
The Minnesota Wild are just a point behind the Winnipeg Jets for the third Central Division spot. The good news? They have a whopping four games in hand.
Minnesota has struggled to string together consecutive wins, largely due to their lack of consistent goal support. In eight November games, the Wild have scored 11 regulation goals. They have been shut out twice this month.
Dallas has played 11 games in November, with nine played in the last 15 days. That’s a lot of hockey. They are 4-3-4 this month, with a 2-2-1 record on home ice. Like the Wild, the Stars have 19 points, though their busy month has given Minnesota two games in hand.
Patrick Eaves enters this game on a five-game point streak for Dallas. Eaves has nine goals and five assists on the year, already rivaling his point total from last season. The winger was mostly used as a grinder until injuries to the Stars’ top six propelled him onto the top line, where he surprisingly flourished alongside Jamie Benn.
Tyler Seguin has six points in his last five games, including a three-assist night against Vancouver back on the 13th. Jamie Benn has been quiet on the stat sheet this season by Jamie Benn standards, posting five goals and 10 assists through 19 games.
The Wild have been very hit-and-miss on the road this season, and they have struggled in Dallas over the years. Even though the Stars have been busier, home ice could be a major factor tonight.
Prediction: Take Dallas to win tonight. Play the under.
Other Game Notes Around the NHL
Rangers vs Penguins: The Rangers received some very bad news last night. Mika Zibanejad, a top line player since his acquisition from the Ottawa Senators this offseason, will miss about two months with a broken fibula suffered in yesterday’s game against the Florida Panthers.
Zibanejad was down for the count late in the third period after a hit to the head from Jason Demers. Though the young Swede was shaken up, he finished the period and was good to go for the ensuing overtime. On his way behind the New York net, Zibanejad’s skates got caught up in a Panther’s stick and went feet-first into the end-boards.
Pavel Buchnevich remains out long-term as well. The Rangers claimed Matt Puempel off waivers to fill the void on the roster. Oscar Lindberg and Josh Jooris will likely fill the void, though it is a huge blow to the Rangers’ speed, top-line chemistry and face-off percentage.
Last night’s shootout loss to the Panthers also marked the first time this season that the Rangers have lost consecutive games, which is in of itself an impressive feat.
That said, they are in great danger of dropping their third in a row tonight in Pittsburgh on the tail-end of a back-to-back without one of their star players. The Penguins are two points behind the Rangers for the Metro Division lead, with a game in hand. Even at this early point of the season, every four-point game is important for two teams that expect to jockey for the top playoff spots.
Marc-Andre Fleury will be in net for the Penguins tonight. Flower has allowed three or more goals in half of his 12 starts this season, and has allowed fewer than two goals only once (last start against Buffalo).
Antti Raanta will get the start for the Rangers. The Finnish backup is undefeated in four starts for the Blueshirts this season.
Pittsburgh is 7-1-1 on their home ice this season.
Prediction: Take the Penguins to win. Play the over.
