Category: Hockey

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

The Florida Panthers snapped their 7-game losing streak last night by knocking off a really good Toronto Maple Leafs team but I wouldn’t get too excited because tonight they will be at Bridgestone Arena to face one of the best in the game, the Nashville Predators. The Panthers have not been getting it done on the road, losing their last 6, and they are 2-8-1 in their last 11 trips to the Music City.
TONIGHT’S PICK: NASHVILLE PREDATORS

The Washington Capitals are on a 3-game skid and it won’t get any easier for them tonight because they will be facing their ex-coach, Barry Trotz, and the red hot New York Islanders. New York will be playing back-to-back games after disposing of the New Jersey Devils last night, so fatigue could be an issue. The Islanders have not fared well against the Caps, going 1-4 in their last 5 meetings and 2-7 in their last 9 at Capital One Arena. Washington will honor their ex-skipper Trotz tonight, who took them to the Promised Land last year, but that is just a charade. Deep down inside they would love nothing more than to put the screws to him.
TONIGHT’S PICK: WASHINGTON CAPITALS

The San Jose Sharks are on a roll, winning 7 in a row, and will seek their 8th straight win tonight when they travel to the desert to take on the Arizona Coyotes. The Sharks will face a team with a host of injuries and the Coyotes are just 3-11 in their last 14 home games. San Jose is getting it done on the road, winning 6 of their last 7 and they are 4-0 in their last 4 trips to Gila River Arena. The Sharks are hot, ride them ’til they’re not. 
TONIGHT’S PICK: SAN JOSE SHARKS

The Toronto Maple Leafs are a solid 13-9-1 at home this season but have lost their last two games at Scotiabank Arena and 4 of their last 5. Toronto should be able to fix their home woes tonight because the Colorado Avalanche come to town. The Avs are going in the wrong direction, notching just 3 wins in their last 16 overall, and they have lost 7 straight on the road. The Leafs could see the return of their #1 goalie tonight, Frederik Andersen, who has been sidelined since December 22nd with a groin injury. Toronto’s young stud, Auston Matthews, has just 1 tally in his last 9 games so he is due for a big night.
TONIGHT’S PICK: TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS