Category: Hockey

Two bottom feeders will face each other tonight in Western New York when the Buffalo Sabres play host to The Arizona Coyotes. Arizona is 9-17-7 on the road this season, 1-5 in their last 6 meetings with the Sabres, and 2-5 in their last 7 trips to Buffalo. These two clubs met in the desert on November 2nd, with Buffalo prevailing, 5-4. One of these two teams will get the overall pick in the draft so what are they playing for – a win or a number one pick? I say a win. Hockey players have pride.
TONIGHT’S PICK: BUFFALO SABRES

The Columbus Blue Jackets have been on a roll, winning 8 in a row, and will seek their 9th when they travel to Manhattan tonight to the face the New York Rangers. The Blue Jackets road record is mediocre at 16-17-0-3 and they have struggled at MSG, going 2-5 in their last 7 games there. New York is tough on their home ice, with a record of 20-13-2-2, and have won their last 2 games at home, downing Pittsburgh and Carolina. Columbus last visited MSG in November and lost, 5-3. I like the Rangers chances in this one and they are a home underdog.
TONIGHT’S PICK: NEW YORK RANGERS +135

The Anaheim Ducks are fighting for their post-season lives, so from now on down the stretch they will be pulling no punches, which will make them a very dangerous opponent. The New Jersey Devils will roll into Honda Center tonight with an impressive road record of 19-12-2-3, but this is where it ends. The Devils have not fared well in Anaheim, going 2-8-1 in their last 11 and the Ducks are 5-1 in their last 6 at home. Add to the mix, the home team is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings between these two clubs. Ducks look like the side to take in this one.
TONIGHT’S PICK: ANAHEIM DUCKS

The Minnesota Wild have not been kind to visitors at Xcel Energy Center, with a record of 24-5-5, and tonight they will host the Colorado Avalanche, a team they would really like to put the screws to. The Avalanche won both meetings this year, 7-1 on March 2nd, and 7-2 on January 6th, but both games were in Colorado. The Avalanche have not fared well in Minnesota, going 2-10 in their last 12, and the home team is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings. Consider the Wild in this one.
TONIGHT’S PICK: MINNESOTA WILD

The Nashville Predators are on a roll, winning 9 in a row, and they will seek their 10th tonight when they host the Anaheim Ducks. Nashville has not been kind to visitors at Bridgestone Arena, with a record of 23-7-1-2, and especially Anaheim, who is just 1-5 in their last 6 trips to Nashville. However, Anaheim has also been on a roll, winning three in a row and 7 of their last 10. The Ducks looked sharp on Tuesday when they blanked the Washington Capitals, 4-0, at Honda Center. On one day’s rest, Anaheim is 6-0 in their last 6 games, and they are 5-0 in their last 5 against the Central. This game looks ripe for an upset.
TONIGHT’S PICK: ANAHEIM DUCKS

The Minnesota Wild rarely lose at home, with an outstanding record of 23-5-5-1, and they will try to notch another one tonight when they host the Carolina Hurricanes. The Hurricanes’ road record is 13-14-3-2 and they are just 3-7 in their last 10 games overall. Carolina has not fared well against Minnesota, going 2-7 in the last 9 meetings, and they are 0-4 in their last 4 trips to Xcel Energy Center. The home team is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings between these two clubs. All points are in the Wild’s favor in this one.
TONIGHT’S PICK: MINNESOTA WILD

The Toronto Maple Leafs have lost three in a row but should be able to right the ship tonight when they travel to Western New York to take on the Buffalo Sabres. Buffalo’s home record is not good, at 9-18-4, and they are expected to have Chad Johnson between the pipes, who has been less than spectacular. Johnson is 6-10-3, with a GAA of 3.18, and a .896 SV%. Toronto on the road is 17-13-5 and they will have the edge tonight in Offense, Defense, Power Plays, Penalty Kills, Face Offs, Discipline, and Goaltending.
TONIGHT’S PICK: TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS