Category: Hockey

The Washington Capitals lost in a shootout Thursday 2-1, to the New Jersey Devils but they can even the score when these two clubs meet up in Newark in an early one today. Washington is 4-0 in their last 4 at Prudential Center and 7-1 in the last 8 meetings. Braden Holtby is expected between the pipes for the Caps. Holtby is 15-8-4, with a GAA of 2.02, and a .928 SV%. Keith Kinkaid is the confirmed goalie for the Devils. Kinkaid is 4-3-2, with a GAA of 2.49, and a .930 SV%. The Caps have the edge in every category: offense, defense, power plays, penalty kill, face offs, discipline and goaltending. With a road record of 8-4-1-3, I like the Caps in this one.

Today’s pick:

Washington Capitals

The Carolina Hurricanes are winners of their last 3 but that streak could be in jeopardy tonight when they travel to PPG Paints Arena to face Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Penguins are 23-8-4-1 on the season and own the league’s best home record at 15-2-2-0. Crosby has been on fire, finding the back of the net in his last 4 games, and leads the league in goals with 25. The Hurricanes road record is 5-8-3-3 and they are 3-9 in their last 12 in Pittsburgh. I like the Penguins chances tonight.

Tonight’s pick:

Pittsburgh Penguins

I like the Anaheim Ducks chances for a win tonight at home against the San Jose Sharks. The Ducks are 10-4-0-1 at home this season and winners of their last 4 at Honda Center. The Pacific Division leading Sharks have struggled against the Ducks, going 1-5 in the last 6 meetings, and 1-4 in their last 5 in Anaheim.

Tonight’s pick:

Anaheim Ducks

I like the Buffalo Sabres chances for a victory tonight at home over the Carolina Hurricanes. The Sabres have dropped two in a row but both have been by shootouts and one of those was to the Hurricanes on Saturday, 2-1. Carolina has struggled against Buffalo, going 1-4 in the last 5 meetings and they are 0-4 in their last 4 in Western New York. In the last 10 meetings between these two clubs, the Sabres have the upper hand with a 6-3-1 record. Eichel and company get revenge tonight for Saturday’s S/O loss.

Tonight’s pick:

Buffalo Sabres

The St. Louis Blues will be glad to return home to Scottrade Center tonight to face the New Jersey Devils, after a dismal 4-game road trip, where they were just 1-3. The Blues have been tough to beat at home this year, owning a 12-1-2-1 record and are 5-2 in their last 7 against the Eastern Conference. The Devils have struggled on the road. They are 4-9-3-1 and are 0-6 in the last 6 meetings with St. Louis and 0-4 in their last 4 at Scottrade Center. Jake Allen is expected between the pipes for the Blues and he is 14-6-3 on the season, with a 2.52 GAA. The Devils expect to have Cory Schneider in the crease tonight and he has a record of 9-8-4, with a 2.83 GAA. The Blues should get back on track tonight.

Tonight’s pick:

St. Louis Blues

The San Jose Sharks are winners of their last two and will be playing back-to-back games after knocking off Toronto 3-2 in a shoot out last night. The Sharks will stay north of the border tonight to face the Ottawa Senators. San Jose has struggled against Ottawa, losing the last 5 contests and were beaten by the Sens at home on December 7th, 4-2. Fatigue could be a factor for San Jose tonight. I like the Senators chances in this one.

Tonight’s pick:

Ottawa Senators

The Anaheim Ducks are starting to heat up and I see them putting another notch in their belt when they take on the Ottawa Senators in an early one at the Honda Center today. The Senators are expected to have Andrew Hammond between the pipes today and if they go with him instead of Condon, he is 0-1-0, with a bloated 4.50 GAA and a .793 SV%. The Ducks are expected to have John Gibson in the net. Gibson is 9-7-4, with a 2.58 GAA and a .911 SV%. The Senators are 3-10 in their last 13 meetings with the Ducks and are just 2-7 in their last 9 at Honda Center. I like the Ducks chances in this one.

Today’s pick:

Anaheim Ducks