Category: Hockey

Auston Mathews and the Toronto Maple Leafs are red hot, winners of their last 5, and will try to make it 6 when they travel to DC tonight to take on Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals. Toronto was the winner in the last contest between these two clubs on November 26th, 4-2, but that was on their home ice. They are not the Leafs of old, but they have struggled in Washington, going 5-16 in their last 21 and they are 1-5 in the last 6 meetings with the Caps. Ovechkin is a Toronto killer; in 40 games he has found the net 32 times and notched 58 points. I like Washington in this situation.

Tonight’s pick:

Washington Capitals

The Washington Capitals lost in a shootout Thursday 2-1, to the New Jersey Devils but they can even the score when these two clubs meet up in Newark in an early one today. Washington is 4-0 in their last 4 at Prudential Center and 7-1 in the last 8 meetings. Braden Holtby is expected between the pipes for the Caps. Holtby is 15-8-4, with a GAA of 2.02, and a .928 SV%. Keith Kinkaid is the confirmed goalie for the Devils. Kinkaid is 4-3-2, with a GAA of 2.49, and a .930 SV%. The Caps have the edge in every category: offense, defense, power plays, penalty kill, face offs, discipline and goaltending. With a road record of 8-4-1-3, I like the Caps in this one.

Today’s pick:

Washington Capitals

The Carolina Hurricanes are winners of their last 3 but that streak could be in jeopardy tonight when they travel to PPG Paints Arena to face Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Penguins are 23-8-4-1 on the season and own the league’s best home record at 15-2-2-0. Crosby has been on fire, finding the back of the net in his last 4 games, and leads the league in goals with 25. The Hurricanes road record is 5-8-3-3 and they are 3-9 in their last 12 in Pittsburgh. I like the Penguins chances tonight.

Tonight’s pick:

Pittsburgh Penguins

I like the Anaheim Ducks chances for a win tonight at home against the San Jose Sharks. The Ducks are 10-4-0-1 at home this season and winners of their last 4 at Honda Center. The Pacific Division leading Sharks have struggled against the Ducks, going 1-5 in the last 6 meetings, and 1-4 in their last 5 in Anaheim.

Tonight’s pick:

Anaheim Ducks

I like the Buffalo Sabres chances for a victory tonight at home over the Carolina Hurricanes. The Sabres have dropped two in a row but both have been by shootouts and one of those was to the Hurricanes on Saturday, 2-1. Carolina has struggled against Buffalo, going 1-4 in the last 5 meetings and they are 0-4 in their last 4 in Western New York. In the last 10 meetings between these two clubs, the Sabres have the upper hand with a 6-3-1 record. Eichel and company get revenge tonight for Saturday’s S/O loss.

Tonight’s pick:

Buffalo Sabres

The St. Louis Blues will be glad to return home to Scottrade Center tonight to face the New Jersey Devils, after a dismal 4-game road trip, where they were just 1-3. The Blues have been tough to beat at home this year, owning a 12-1-2-1 record and are 5-2 in their last 7 against the Eastern Conference. The Devils have struggled on the road. They are 4-9-3-1 and are 0-6 in the last 6 meetings with St. Louis and 0-4 in their last 4 at Scottrade Center. Jake Allen is expected between the pipes for the Blues and he is 14-6-3 on the season, with a 2.52 GAA. The Devils expect to have Cory Schneider in the crease tonight and he has a record of 9-8-4, with a 2.83 GAA. The Blues should get back on track tonight.

Tonight’s pick:

St. Louis Blues

The San Jose Sharks are winners of their last two and will be playing back-to-back games after knocking off Toronto 3-2 in a shoot out last night. The Sharks will stay north of the border tonight to face the Ottawa Senators. San Jose has struggled against Ottawa, losing the last 5 contests and were beaten by the Sens at home on December 7th, 4-2. Fatigue could be a factor for San Jose tonight. I like the Senators chances in this one.

Tonight’s pick:

Ottawa Senators