The San Jose Sharks head home tonight to take on the Colorado Avalanche. The Sharks have gained momentum after a successful 5 game road trip going 3-1-1. The Avalanche have not had success in San Jose, with a record of 5-21-1 in the last 27 games. Clavin Pickard is confirmed to be between the pipes for Colorado. He brings with him a 5.11 GAA and a .840 SV%. With numbers like that, the Sharks should be able to find the back of the net.
Tonight’s pick:
San Jose Sharks
The Columbus Blue Jackets take their 8-12 road record south tonight to face the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Blue Jackets’ record in Tampa has been dismal, going 1-6 in their last 7 games. Ben Bishop is expected between the pipes for the Lightning. He comes in with a 14-11-2 record, a 2.00 GAA and .926 SV%. On the flip side for the Jacks, Joonas Korpisalo is expected in net. He has a 1-3-0 record, a 3.23 GAA and a .902 SV%. The injury riddled Lightning could get some key players back today – Drouin, Boyle and Brown. I expect Tampa to light it up.
Today’s pick:
Tampa Bay Lightning
The red hot Washington Capitals travel south tonight to take on the Carolina Hurricanes. Washington has won 5 straight and that streak should continue tonight. Caps are 5-1 in their last 6 meetings in Carolina. They are 4-0 in their last 4 games following a win and 6-0 in their last 6 Monday games. Holtby is out but a competent backup, Philipp Grubauer, is expected between the pipes for the Caps. He has a GAA of 2.53 and a SV% of .901. I’m riding the Caps until they lose.
Tonight’s pick:
Washington Capitals
Penguins should snap their 4 game losing streak tonight when they host the Carolina Hurricanes at home. Hurricanes haven’t done well against the Metropolitan division. They’re 0-6 in their last 6 and they have issues in Pittsburgh, going 2-7 in their last 9. Taking the Penguins tonight.
Tonight’s pick:
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Tampa Bay Lightning and the Washington Capitals clash tonight at Verizon Center in Washington. The Lightning will enter tonight’s contest minus two of their key players, Tyler Johnson and Ondrej Palat. Washington has the best defense in the league and this can be attributed to the outstanding goaltending by Braden Holtby. Holtby has a GAA of 1.83 and has earned points in each of his last 13 games, going 12-0-1 which includes 2 wins over the Lightning. The Capitals have owned the Lightning, posting a record of 10-1-1 over their last 12 contests. Siding with Ovechkin and company in this one.
Tonight’s pick:
Washington Capitals
The Calgary Flames try to make it 7 straight wins when they travel to American Airlines Center tonight to take on the Dallas Stars. It won’t be easy for the Flames with one of their top producers, Michael Frolik, expected to be out with an upper body injury. Dallas Stars are 12-3 at home and they’re 5-0 in their last 5 games on one day’s rest. Calgary has been anything but spectacular on the road this year with a 4-9-2 record. Kari Lehtonen is expected between the pipes for the Stars. He’s 11-1-0 with a 2.50 GAA and .916 SV%. The Flames should have Karri Ramo in the net tonight, with a 10-8-1 record, a 2.89 GAA and .903 SV%. Dallas has the edge in offense, defense, power plays, face offs and goaltending. The Flames streak should end tonight.
Tonight’s pick:
Dallas Stars
The Vancouver Canucks visit Xcel Energy Center tonight, to take on the Minnesota Wild. Vancouver hasn’t done well against the Western Conference, going 0-5 in their last 5 games. They’ve also been struggling on the road, posting a 0-4 record in their last 4. On the flip side, Minnesota is riding a 6 game point streak, allowing just 3 regulation goals and 5 overall with 3 shutouts during this stretch. Minnesota is tough to beat at home with a stellar record of 10-3-1. With the edge in offense, defense, face offs, discipline and goaltending, the Wild should get this one.
Tonight’s pick:
Minnesota Wild
