Category: Hockey

The New Jersey Devils will go for their ninth straight win when they head to Ball Arena tonight for a meeting with the Colorado Avalanche, but they have a problem. The Avalanche have lost 4 straight, are due for a win, and are tough at home. Colorado is 2-0-2 in the mountains and matches up well with New Jersey. The Avs average 3.3 goals per game and allow an average of 2.4. The Devils average 3.89 goals per game and allow an average of 2.44. Altitude does play a factor on teams that visit Ball Arena and that will be evident tonight.
TONIGHT’S PICK: COLORADO AVALANCHE

With last night’s 6-2 win over the Minnesota Wild, the Utah Mammoth have now won 6 straight but that streak could end tonight when they head north of the border to face the Winnipeg Jets. The Jets have also been on a roll, winning 6 of their last 7, and when they take the ice at Canada Life Centre they always step it up a notch. Winnipeg was idle yesterday and will be well rested. Utah on the other hand will be playing back-to-back games and in that situation they are just 2-7 in their last 9.
TONIGHT’S PICK: WINNIPEG JETS

The red hot 3-3-0 New York Islanders will be at home tonight to host the 5-2-0 Detroit Red Wings. New York has won 3 straight but if anyone can slow them down it’s Detroit. The Red Wings have won 5 of their last 6 and 4 straight against New York. They are expected to have Cam Talbot between the pipes, and he has been outstanding. Talbot is a perfect 3-0 with a 1.78 GAA and a .932 SV%.
TONIGHT’S PICK: DETROIT RED WINGS

With yesterday’s 5-2 road victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs, the New Jersey Devils have now won 5 straight and will return home to The Rock tonight to host the Minnesota Wild. New Jersey is 5-1-0 on the season and a perfect 2-0 on their home ice. Minnesota comes in at 3-3-1 and have lost 3 of their last 4. The Devils are averaging 4 goals per game as opposed to the Wild’s 2.71. They also have the edge in goals allowed and have won the last 4 meetings with Minnesota. The Devils are hot, ride them ’til they are not.
TONIGHT’S PICK: NEW JERSEY DEVILS

The Carolina Hurricanes staved off elimination Monday night with their 3-0 shutout of the Florida Panthers in Sunrise. Tonight their lives are on the line again when the venue moves to Lenovo Center for game 5. Can the Canes do it again and push a game 6? I say not. The Champs had a slight letdown on Monday night, but they want to rap this thing up and will come out swinging tonight. Florida has out-muscled Carolina in this series and have outscored them 16-7 over the first 4 games. Playing on the road is not an issue for the Panthers who have won four straight in the playoffs away from Sunrise: two in Toronto, and two in Carolina.
TONIGHT’S PICK: FLORIDA PANTHERS

The Toronto Maple Leafs return home tonight to face the Ottawa Senators in game 5 of round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Leafs lead the best of 7 series (3-1), are dangerous on their home ice, and should close out the series with the Senators tonight. Toronto is 9-0 in their last 9 home games, score more than Ottawa and give up less. Scotiabank Arena will be electric with the best fans in all of professional sports and the Leafs won’t let them down.
TONIGHT’S PICK: TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

The Tampa Bay Lighting will host the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight and Tampa is the side to consider. The Bolts are 27-8-2 at Amalie Arena and will be extra motivated after losing their last 3 meetings to the Leafs. A win tonight will tie Tampa with Toronto for the lead in the Atlantic. The Bolts will come out swinging.
TONIGHT’S PICK: TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING