Category: Hockey

Round 2 of the Eastern Conference playoffs will kick off tonight when the Washington Capitals play host to the Pittsburgh Penguins. It’s a known fact that Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby and Washington’s Alex Ovechkin have a distaste for each other and that will make for some exciting hockey. The home team between these two clubs is 8-0 in the last 8 meetings and the Penguins are 1-4 in their last 5 trips to Washington. Home ice advantage didn’t play a factor in yesterday’s games but I think it will in this one.

Tonight’s pick:

Washington Capitals

After the dramatic double overtime win over Ottawa Senators on Friday, the momentum has now shifted to the Boston Bruins. The Bruins and the Senators will play game 6 in a matinee today at TD Garden. Ottawa has had success at TD Garden but this is playoff hockey which is a different animal. I’ll take the home team in this one.

Today’s pick:

Boston Bruins

The Washington Capitals playoff woes continue and they are on the verge going down 3-1 to a young and carefree Toronto Maple Leafs team. Tonight however, they will have a chance to even things up when they take the ice at Air Canada Centre. Both of Washington’s losses were in overtime and I don’t see a repeat of that tonight. Washington just has too many weapons and they are 7-3 in their last 10 meetings with Toronto. The Capitals have the edge in offense, defense, penalty kill, discipline and goaltending. Washington should get this one.

Tonight’s pick:

Washington Capitals

The Columbus Blue Jackets have gone cold, losing 4 in a row, and that’s not good when you are entering the playoffs. Tonight they will host a team that has been eliminated from playoff contention but has won 5 straight, the Winnipeg Jets. The Jets have had success against the Blue Jackets, going 4-1 in the last 5 meetings, but the Blue Jackets won the last contest in Winnipeg, 5-3, on December 29th. Columbus has the edge in offense, defense, penalty kill, power play, face-offs, discipline and goaltending. I like the Blue Jackets’ chances to right the ship tonight.

Tonight’s pick:

Columbus Blue Jackets

The Boston Bruins and the Florida Panthers will play a matinee today at the TD Garden. The Bruins are hot, riding a 3-game winning streak and today they will be playing on one day’s rest, where they are 5-1 in their last 6 games. Florida comes in today’s matchup 0-4 in their last 4 road games and 1-10 in their last 11 games in Boston. Tuukka Rask is confirmed between the pipes for the Bruins and he is 35-20-4, with a 2.31 GAA and a .912 Sv%. Florida will counter with Reto Berra, who is also confirmed, and he is 0-3-0, with a 3.38 GAA, and a .874 Sv%. Boston has owned the Panthers, winning 8 out of the last 10 matchups.

Today’s pick:

Boston Bruins

The New York Islanders have lost 3 in a row but still have an outside chance at a playoff spot so tonight they had better take of business when the New Jersey Devils come to town. The Devils have lost 4 in a row, are 12-20-4-2 on the road and have struggled against the Islanders, going 2-10 in the last 12 meetings. New York has been solid at Barclays Center, with a record 20-12-5-2, and they won the last contest with the Devils, 6-4, on February 19th. New York needs this win; I like their chances tonight.

Tonight’s Pick:

New York Islanders

The Los Angeles Kings are thinking more about golfing than playing hockey and tonight they have back-to-back games when they travel to Calgary to take on the Flames. Calgary has won 3 in a row at home and with a victory tonight, will clinch a playoff berth. The Flames won on Monday, beating Colorado 4-2, and with 1 day’s rest they are 12-3 in their last 15 games. The Kings have lost 2 in a row, are 1-4 in their last 5 games overall, 0-5 in their last 5 road games, and 0-6 in their last 6 against the Pacific. Los Angeles will put up a fight tonight but Calgary should get this one.

Tonight’s pick:

Calgary Flames