Category: Hockey

The Tampa Bay Lightning should have the rust and too much South Beach out of their system after last night’s thumping by the Florida Panthers. Tonight they head home to the friendly confines of Amalie Arena to host the San Jose Sharks. Tampa’s home record speaks for itself, at 20-4-1, and a win tonight will make their 13th straight home victory. The Sharks are better on the road than they are at the Shark Tank, at 10-13-4, but have struggled against the Bolts, going 0-6 in the last 6 meetings overall and 0-4 in their last 4 in Tampa. The Sharks have not played since before the break and are 1-7 in their last 8 with 3 or more days’ rest.
TONIGHT’S PICK: TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Going into the All-Star break, the Tampa Bay Lightning were clicking on every cylinder. Tonight they will be playing their cross-state rival, the Florida Panthers, in Sunrise. The Lightning have owned the Panthers, winning the last 7 meetings, and are 4-0 in their last 4 trips to FLA Live Arena. Barring any post-break hangover, Tampa Bay should get this one.
TONIGHT’S PICK: TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

There are only two games scheduled tonight before the All-Star break and the one that looks interesting is the Buffalo Sabres hosting the Carolina Hurricanes. The Canes are hot, riding a 6-game winning streak, but so are the Sabres. Buffalo has won 5 of their last 6 and will be well-rested, having not played since Saturday. On the other hand, Carolina will be playing back-to-back games after a tough battle with the Kings last night. The Sabres can score. They are averaging 3.8 goals per game, which is #1 in the league, and will be a home dog tonight. Consider the Western New Yorkers.
TONIGHT’S PICK: BUFFALO SABRES

The Washington Capitals will visit the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight for their final game before they head to Florida for the All-Star break. If the Capitals don’t take this one for granted, they should come out on top. The Jackets are the worst team in hockey. Columbus is 15-32-3, with just 3 wins in their last 10 tries. The Capitals come into this one with a record of 26-20-6 and they have won the last 3 meetings with the Jackets, including both meetings this year, outscoring them 7-2, and they are 7-2 in their last 9 trips to Columbus. The Jackets can only hope they land phenom Connor Bedard in the next NHL Draft if they want to turn this team around.
TONIGHT’S PICK: WASHINGTON CAPITALS

There is only one game on the slate tonight in the NHL, with the Winnipeg Jets hosting the St. Louis Blues. Both teams are in a funk. The Blues have lost four straight and will be without two key players tonight, center Ryan O’Reilly and winger Pavel Buchnevich, which will not help their cause. The Jets have lost three straight with two of those coming on their home ice, but despite those losses, they are still 17-8-0 at Canada Life Centre. Winnipeg has won the last five meetings with St. Louis, will have their dedicated fans for support, and should come out the victor tonight.
TONIGHT’S PICK: WINNIPEG JETS

With a win tonight at home over the Los Angeles Kings, the Tampa Bay Lightning will set a franchise record for 12 consecutive victories at Amalie Arena. After Thursday’s home victory over the Boston Bruins, the Tampa Bay Lightning will not be lacking confidence, and they have owned the Kings. The Lightning are 6-0 in their last 6 against the Kings at home, have won 10 of the last 11 matchups overall, and LA will be playing back-to-back games which is always tough. Amelie Arena will be sold out as usual and you know it will be electric. Consider the Bolts.
TONIGHT’S PICK: TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

The Toronto Maple Leafs have won 2 straight and 4 out of their last 5. Tonight they will look to stay hot when they host the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Arena. If the Leafs want to keep their lead over the Tampa Bay Lightning for the second spot in the Atlantic, they need to take care of teams like Ottawa and tonight they will do just that. Toronto rarely loses on their home ice. The Leafs are 19-3-4 at Scotiabank, have won the last 4 meetings with Ottawa, and are 6-0 in their last 6 against the Senators at home.
TONIGHT’S PICK: TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS