Category: Hockey

With a win tonight, the Columbus Blue Jackets can post their 17th consecutive victory, but they have a problem – they have to travel to Washington to face Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby is expected between the pipes for the Caps and he has had success against Columbus, owning a record of 8-3-2 with a 2.83 GAA. Evgeny Kuznetsov broke out of his slump on Tuesday after not finding the net for 17 games. If Kuzy heats up, this could be a problem for the Blue Jackets. Columbus won both match-ups this year, but they weren’t easy, winning 2-1 in overtime at home and 3-2 in Washington. With the Blue Jackets at just 2-6 in their last 8 at Verizon Center, I see their streak ending tonight.

Tonight’s pick:

Washington Capitals

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