Category: Hockey

The Columbus Blue Jackets are coming off an impressive win over the Tampa Bay Lightning, beating the champs 5-2 on Saturday. Tonight they will go for two straight when they host the Florida Panthers at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets had a blockbuster trade over the weekend with Winnipeg, acquiring high flying Patrick Laine, but his status is uncertain for tonight due to quarantine and visa issues. Florida has not played since January 19th so rust could be an issue and they are a dismal 2-14 in their last 16 in Columbus.
TONIGHT’S PICK: COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

The Winnipeg Jets are off to a 3-1-0 start and just took two from the Ottawa Senators in Ottawa. Tonight the two teams will meet again but the venue will switch to Bell MTS Place in Winnipeg. The Jets have had the Senators number, winning 4 straight and 8 of the last 10 meetings. If that’s not dominance, what is? Winnipeg will have the edge in goaltending tonight. Connor Hellebuyck is expected between the pipes for the Jets and as always, he has been spectacular, posting a GAA of only 2 with a .935 SV%. The 1-2-1 Senators are expected to counter with Matt Murray, who has a 3.79 GAA and a 0.88 SV%. I like the Jets in this situation.
TONIGHT’S PICK: WINNIPEG JETS

The reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Tampa Bay Lightning, will be on the road tonight for a matchup with the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Lightning are once again looking like the best team in hockey, which they are, after downing the Chicago Blackhawks in their first two games of the 2021 campaign by a combined score of 10-3. Tortorella’s team has not looked sharp thus far, with a record of 1-2-1, and will have their hands full with the Bolts. Tampa is 5-1 in their last 6 with the Jackets overall and 9-3 in their last 12 trips to Columbus.
TONIGHT’S PICK: TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

The Philadelphia Flyers looked impressive in their two wins over the Pittsburgh Penguins and will host the Buffalo Sabres tonight, a team they have literally owned. The Flyers are 21-8 in their last 29 overall against Buff and 14-3 in their last 17 against the Sabres in Philly. The Broad Street Bullies get it done tonight.
TONIGHT’S PICK: PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

The Anaheim Ducks have always had issues with the Vegas Golden Knights. They are 1-7 in their last 8 meetings overall and 0-4 in their last 4 in Las Vegas. Tonight will be no different.
TONIGHT’S PICK: VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS

The Montréal Canadiens have had the Toronto Maple Leaf’s number, winning 4 straight, but they are just 1-4 in their last 5 trips to Scotiabank Arena. Matthews and company get it done tonight.
TONIGHT’S PICK: TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

The Dallas Stars have been walking a tightrope but that can’t continue and their luck runs out tonight when they square off against the Tampa Bay Lightning in game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Tampa is, by far, the more talented team in this series. Their offense is relentless, they are 12-5 in their last 17 playoff games, and 8-3 in their last 11 meetings with the Stars. The Big Guava prevails.
TONIGHT’S PICK: TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING