Category: Hockey

The Carolina Hurricanes have surged out of the gate to a 4-0 start. Tonight they will go for 5 straight when they host their division rival, the New York Islanders, in the friendly confines of PNC Arena. The Canes swept the Islanders 4 straight in last year’s semi-finals and it appears New York is still nursing their wounds, going 1-2 to start the season. Carolina has notched 17 goals in their first 4 games and New York’s offense that has mustered just 7 tallies in their first 3 contests. PNC Arena will be electric tonight and the Canes are hot, so ride them.
TONIGHT’S PICK: CAROLINA HURRICANES

If the New York Islanders fall to the Carolina Hurricanes tonight at PNC Arena, and go down 3-0, it’s pretty much over and they know it, so losing is not an option. The Islanders have not been getting it done on their home ice but on the road it’s a different story. New York is 5-0 in their last 5 road games and they are 5-1 in their last 6 trips to PNC Arena. Add to that, the road team is 7-1 in the last 8 meetings between these two clubs. A wager on the Islanders is warranted.
TONIGHT’S PICK: NEW YORK ISLANDERS

The Washington Capitals have won their last 5 home games against the Carolina Hurricanes and the home team between these two clubs has won the last 6 meetings. Caps advance.
TONIGHT’S PICK: WASHINGTON CAPITALS

After putting the screws to Toronto Wednesday night at Scotiabank Arena, the Boston Bruins will have the momentum when the venue switches tonight to TD Garden in Boston. With the series knotted at two apiece, both teams are well aware that the winner of game 5 in a 7-game series, more times than not, will win the series. This has to be a major concern for the Leafs, knowing they have lost 4 of their last 5 trips to Legends Way, and that the home team has won 12 of the last 17 meetings between the two clubs. Brad Marchand has been a Leaf killer and with 20,000 raucous fans behind them, the Bruins get it done.
TONIGHT’S PICK: BOSTON BRUINS

The Montreal Canadiens are just 1 point ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets for the final spot in the Wild Card race so losing is not an option. The Habs are surging at the right time, winners of their last two, and will host a struggling Buffalo Sabres team tonight at Bell Centre. Buffalo is just 3-12-2 in their last 17 overall and a dismal 11-20-5 on the road. The Canadiens are 0-1-2 this year against the boys from Western New York so they are due.
TONIGHT’S PICK: MONTREAL CANADIENS

With the Arizona Coyotes and the Minnesota Wild both breathing down their necks in the wild card race, the Dallas Stars know they have to get back on track and in a hurry. Dallas will try to do just that and snap their 2-game skid when they host the Florida Panthers tonight at American Airline Center. Dallas has played well at home with a record of 21-12-3, they expect to have Ben Bishop between the pipes and he has been red hot. Bishop has not allowed a goal in over 230 minutes of play, has a .933 SV% and a 2.05 GAA. On the flip side, Florida has been playing well, winning 4 of their last 5 but their road record is not great at 14-16-6 and they fell to Dallas at home back in February, 0-3. The Stars get back on track.
TONIGHT’S PICK: DALLAS STARS

With a win tonight at home over the Arizona Coyotes, the Tampa Bay Lightning will capture the Atlantic Division title. The NHL’s best is 30-6-2 at home and are riding a 4-game winning streak. In the last meeting between these two clubs, the Lightning were throttled by the Coyotes, 7-1, but that was in the desert and Tampa has not forgotten. Payback time.
TONIGHT’S PICK: TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING