Category: Hockey

The North leading Toronto Maple Leafs find themselves in a bit of a funk but I expect them to get back to what they do best, and that is win, when they host the Ottawa Senators, who are just 3-7-0-0 on the road. The Leafs lost a close one to the Habs on Saturday and then lost focus, blowing a 5-1 lead on Monday against the lowly Ottawa Senators. Sheldon Keefe will have his team ready and that won’t happen again tonight. Toronto is #2 in the league in scoring and will be facing a Senators’ D that is #31 in the league. This could be a blowout. Consider the puck line.
TONIGHT’S PICK: TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS -1.5 PUCK LINE

After being outplayed on Thursday night by the Florida Panthers in Sunrise, losing 5-2, the Tampa Bay Lightning woke up and poured it on Saturday, blowing out Florida, 6-1, and showing why they are the best in the business. Tonight the rivalry continues but moves to Amalie Arena where the Lighting are still unbeaten at 6-0-0-0. Andrei Vasilevskiy is expected between the pipes for Tampa and he has been on his A-game as usual, with a 1.92 GAA and 0.933 SV%. Florida is no slouch on the road at 3-0-0-1 and are in a 4-way battle for the second spot in the central but are up against the #1 offense in the league and the #1 defense. It is unclear if Tampa’s superstar Steven Stamkos will return to the ice tonight but if he does, bonus Bolts.
TONIGHT’S PICK: TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

The Colorado Avalanche are an elite team but have not played since February 2nd due to Covid protocol, so could rust and rhythm be an issue for them tonight when they play the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena? Absolutely. Vegas is tough at home with a record of 7-1-0-1. They have won 4 of their last 5 and will be playing back-to-back games but that doesn’t bother them. They are 6-1 in their last 7 on zero days’ rest.
TONIGHT’S PICK: VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS

The Montreal Canadiens had their way with the Edmonton Oilers in their first two meetings of the season, winning easily, outscoring Edmonton by a combined total of 8-2, and that was in Edmonton. Tonight the venue will be at Rogers Centre and Montreal is expected to have Jake Allen between the pipes. Allen’s numbers are impressive. He is 4-1-0 with a nasty GAA of only 1.81 and a 0.94 SV%. The Oilers have won 5 of their last 6 but 4 of those wins were against Ottawa and everybody beats them.
TONIGHT’S PICK: MONTREAL CANADIENS

The East leading Boston Bruins will take their 3-game winning streak to Manhattan tonight to face the bottom dwelling New York Rangers. The Bruins just get the job done. They are 6-1 in their last 7 overall and 4-0 in the last 4 meetings with the Rangers.
TONIGHT’S PICK: BOSTON BRUINS

It was a tough loss for the Columbus Blue Jackets last night but they will get back on track tonight. Patrik Laine is already paying dividends for the Jackets, notching two goals last night and he is just warming up. Columbus is 4-1 at home against the Carolina Hurricanes and are a home dog? Take the Jackets.
TONIGHT’S PICK: COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

The Montreal Canadiens were caught sleeping when they fell to the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night, but that won’t happen today. Montreal is averaging 4.2 goals per game and allowing an average of 2.6. The lowly Sens are averaging just 2.5 goals per game and allowing an average of 4.5. Take the Habs.
TODAY’S PICK: MONTREAL CANADIENS