Category: Hockey

The Calgary Flames have lost 3 straight and they know they had better right the ship soon if they want to keep pace with the red hot San Jose Sharks for the top spot in the Pacific Division. Tonight they will get an opportunity to do just that when they pay a visit to BB&T Center for a match-up with the Florida Panthers. The Flames have been impressive on the road, with a record of 17-11-1. They have dominated the Panthers, winning 5 of the last 6 meetings overall and 4 of their last 5 trips to Sunrise, Florida. The Panthers are slumping as well, losing their last 2 games, both at home, so this is a golden opportunity for Calgary to pounce and get back in the win column. TONIGHT’S PICK: CALGARY FLAMES

The Washington Capitals disposed of the Los Angeles Kings last night, 6-4, and tonight they will be a road dog when they take their game to Nationwide Arena for a match-up with the Columbus Blue Jackets. After losing 5 straight, John Tortorella has his Blue Jackets playing well, winners of their last 3, so this will be a challenge for the Caps but they are up for it. Washington has been very respectable on the road, with a record of 14-9-2. The Caps are 5-2 in their last 7 meetings with the Jackets and 4-0 in their last 4 trips to Columbus. If fatigue isn’t a factor for Washington, they have a good chance of coming away from Columbus with a win.
TONIGHT’S PICK: WASHINGTON CAPITALS

The Colorado Avalanche are a mess, losing 5 in a row and 8 of their last 10, and today they will play an early one in Brooklyn against one of the top teams in hockey, the New York Islanders. Good luck because they’re going to need it. Be it at Long Island or Brooklyn, the Islanders are a force at home with a record of 15-7-4 and have won 7 of their last 10 overall. New York has won the last 4 meetings at home against Colorado and the home team between these two clubs is 17-5-1 in the last 23 meetings.
TODAY’S PICK: NEW YORK ISLANDERS

The New York Rangers will be a home dog tonight when they host another Original Six team, the Boston Bruins. The Rangers are a force when they take the ice at MSG, with a record of 13-8-6, and they have won 8 of the last 10 match-ups with Boston. The Bruins will be playing back-to-back games after knocking off the Islanders last night so fatigue could be an issue for them. I like the Rangers in this situation. 
TONIGHT’S PICK: NEW YORK RANGERS

The Buffalo Sabres will open a 7-game home stand tonight when they return to KeyBank Center for a match-up with the Chicago Blackhawks. Chicago comes into tonight’s contest just 8-14-3 on the road and have not played since January 22nd, so rust and timing will definitely be a factor in their performance. Buffalo, on the other hand, has played two games since the All-Star break, so rust and timing will not be an issue for them. The Sabres are a very respectable 14-6-3 at KeyBank and will get it done tonight.
TONIGHT’S PICK: BUFFALO SABRES

The Anaheim Ducks return home to Honda Center tonight for a showdown with the St. Louis Blues. The Ducks are a respectable 10-7-8 at home and have had the Blues number. St. Louis is just 1-4 in their last 5 meetings with Anaheim and 5-21-1 in their last 27 trips to Honda Center. The Ducks will be a slight dog tonight and are worth consideration.
TONIGHT’S PICK: ANAHEIM DUCKS

The Toronto Maple Leafs will be hosting the Arizona Coyotes tonight at Scotiabank Arena. The Coyotes have not done well against their Eastern foes, going 0-5 in their last 5 against the Atlantic and 3-13 in their last 16 against the Eastern Conference. Matthews and company will get it done tonight.
TONIGHT’S PICK: TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS