Category: Hockey

The Chicago Blackhawks have now won two in a row but that streak will end tonight when they travel to Colorado to take on the Avalanche. The Blackhawks’ road record is not good, at 5-12-2, where they are surrendering an average of 4.11 goals per game. The Avs are 8-4-3 at Pepsi Center and have won the last 4 out of 5 meetings with the Blackhawks.
TONIGHT’S PICK: COLORADO AVALANCHE

The Toronto Maple Leafs snapped their 2-game skid on Tuesday with a decisive 7-2 win over New Jersey and will return home tonight to face the Florida Panthers with revenge on their minds. The Leafs fell to the Panthers just last week in Florida, 4-3, in a game they were clearly taking for granted. Toronto sits in 2nd place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 22-10-2 and are 9-5-1 at Scotiabank Arena. The Panthers have won two in a row but I wouldn’t get too excited. They are just 2-4 in their last 6 overall and 1-4 in their last 5 on the road. Florida sits dead last in the Atlantic with a record of 13-13-6 and are 6-8-2 on the road. Toronto has won the last 5 meetings against Florida at home and after tonight it will be 6.
TONIGHT’S PICK: TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

It’s no secret that Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals do not like Sid Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tonight they will be able to show that dislike when they host them at Capital One Arena. The Penguins have been inconsistent all year and will have their tail between their legs tonight after blowing a 2 goal lead at home on Monday against Anaheim, resulting in a 4-2 loss. Pittsburgh has had issues in Washington, going 1-4 in their last 5, and they have notched only 2 wins in their last 10 road games. The Capitals are playing like the Champs that they are. Washington has won 5 in a row and 12 of their last 14. The Caps have a stellar home record of 10-4-2 and their captain, Alex Ovechkin, has been off the Richter scale, notching 17 goals with 6 assists in his last 14 games – unbelievable. All hot streaks come to an end but Ovi and company won’t let that happen in their house against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
TONIGHT’S PICK: WASHINGTON CAPITALS

The Buffalo Sabres return home tonight after a successful 2-game road trip to host the bottom dwelling Florida Panthers. The Panthers have owned the Sabres in the past but that was then and this is now. Buffalo is an impressive 11-3-2 at KeyBank Center and have won 3 of their last 4 games.  Florida’s away record of 5-8-2 is nothing to write home about and they are winless in their last 4 on the road. The Sabres’ Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart, and Jeff Skinner have been on a tear and the home team has won 7 of the last 9 meetings.
TONIGHT’S PICK: BUFFALO SABRES

Two teams that are on a roll will meet tonight at PPG Paints Arena when the Pittsburgh Penguins host the Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks come into this one winning 3 in a row and 8 of their last 9. On the other side of the coin, the Penguins have won 2 in a row,  5 of their last 7, and have been red hot at home. Pittsburgh has won 4 straight at The PPG and are 6-1-1 in their last 8 at home. Anaheim has won the last two meetings between these clubs but are  3-7 in their last 10 overall against the Penguins and just 2-8 in their last 10 in Pittsburgh. The Penguins are 10-1 in their last 11 games against the Pacific and that dominance should continue tonight. 
TONIGHT’S PICK: PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

The Minnesota Wild are riding high after going on a scoring frenzy Tuesday night, knocking off the Montreal Canadiens, 7-1. Tonight they will be home to face a Florida Panthers team that has been struggling on the road. The Panthers are 1-5 in their last 6 road games and 0-6 in their last 6 trips to Xcel Energy Center. The Wild are tough at home, with a record of 9-4-2, and should get the victory tonight.
TONIGHT’S PICK: MINNESOTA WILD

With last night’s loss to the Winnipeg Jets, the Chicago Blackhawks have now lost 8 straight. Tonight they will try to right the ship when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins at United Center. Chicago will be a big dog tonight and is worth a consideration in this one. They are 8-0 in the last 8 meetings overall with Pittsburgh and 6-0 in their last 6 against them at home.
TONIGHT’S PICK: CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS