Category: Hockey

The New York Rangers are still winless at home with a record of 0-6-1 but that should end tonight when they host the struggling Nashville Predators at MSG. The Predators are in a tailspin, losing 4 straight and 7 of their last 8. The Rangers are coming off a 5-0 shutout loss at home to the New York Islanders but have won 4 of their last 6. Nashville is 1-3-2 on the road and is allowing 3.47 goals per game. Both teams have trouble finding the back of the net but New York has a huge edge in goals allowed, surrendering just 2.5 per game.
TONIGHT’S PICK: NEW YORK RANGERS

The 6-5-2 New York Islanders lost in a shootout in their last outing against the Boston Bruins at home on Tuesday, but I expect them to bounce back tonight when they host the 5-7-3 Minnesota Wild at UBS Arena. Despite Tuesday’s loss, the Isles are still 4-2-1 on their home ice and are expected to have David Rittich between the pipes and he is 3-1-0. The Wild lost last night 4-3 to the Carolina Hurricanes so they will be playing back-to-back games and are just 2-4-1 on the road. The Wild has also lost 6 of their last 8, are 1-10 in their last 11 against the Metropolitan Division, and 1-7 in their last 8 road games against a team with a winning home record. New York is the better team, will be well-rested, and should come out on top.
TONIGHT’S PICK: NEW YORK ISLANDERS

The Buffalo Sabres and the Saint Louis Blues will square off tonight in Western New York. The perennial bottom feeding Sabres are showing some promise this year and have played well at KeyBank Center with a record of 5-2-2. The Blues are tied with the Calgary Flames for the fewest points in the league, with only 10, and will be playing back-to-back games after being blown out by the Washington Capitals last night 6-1 in Washington. St. Louis is expected to have Joel Hofer between the pipes, and this guy would have trouble stopping a basketball. Hofer is 1-3-0 with a 5.02 GAA and a .836 SV%. The Sabres have the edge in goals scored, goals against, and the Blues are 0-4 in their last 4 road games.
TONIGHT’S PICK: BUFFALO SABRES

Utah was lucky to get an overtime win last night in Buffalo. Tonight they will be playing back-to-back games when they make the short trip up the QEW to face the surging Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs have won 2 straight, 4 of their last 5, and are 6-2-1 at Scotiabank Arena. The Mammoth have a good team with solid goaltending but on zero days’ rest they are 3-7 in their last 10. Toronto is hot, at home, can score, and has Auston Matthews.
TONIGHT’S PICK: TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

The 9-3-0 Montréal Canadiens will be on their home ice tonight when they host the 6-5-1 Philadelphia Flyers. The Canadiens are on a roll. They are #1 in the Atlantic, winners of 3 straight and 5 of their last 6. Montréal is also 4-1-0 at Bell Centre and can score, averaging 3.67 goals per game. Philadelphia has lost 2 straight and at home they are a force but when they take it on the arches, they are 0-2-1. The Habs have won 4 of their last 5 meetings with the Broad Street Bullies and are worth considering tonight.
TONIGHT’S PICK: MONTRÉAL CANADIENS

If the 4-6-2 Nashville Predators are going to start turning things around it should start today when they host the 2-8-2 Calgary Flames this afternoon at Bridgestone Arena. There is not that much to say about the Flames except that they are the worst team in the NHL and a dismal 1-5-1 on the road. Nashville is not that much better but are a respectable 3-3-1 at home and have a slight edge over Calgary in goals scored and goals allowed. If the Predators can’t beat the lowly Flames on their home ice, changes will need to be made.
TODAY’S PICK: NASHVILLE PREDATORS

The Philadelphia Flyers will be on their home ice tonight when they host the struggling Nashville Predators. The Predators have lost 2 straight, 6 of their last 8, and are 1-2-1 on the road. The Broad Street Bullies are clicking. They have won 2 straight, 4 of their last 5, and are 5-1-0 at Xfinity Mobile Arena. The Flyers score more than the Predators, give up a lot less, and should come out on top tonight.
TONIGHT’S PICK: PHILADELPHIA FLYERS