Minnesota @ Boston
Pick: Wild +105
Minnesota has lost 2 games in a row heading into tonight; a 3-2 OT loss in Dallas and a 4-3 loss in Pittsburgh. The Wild have yet to lose 3 games in a row this season. Three times this season they have lost consecutive games. The previous two times they responded by winning the next game. Tonight’s game is also the final game in a 4 game road trip for Minnesota over the past 7 days. They started off with a win in Carolina last Thursday, lost in Dallas in OT on Saturday, then headed up to Pittsburgh for a 1 goal loss to the Penguins. After tonight’s game the Wild head home for a couple days of rest. This is a classic scenario for Parise and his squad to buckle down and grind out a tough win to wrap up a road trip. A win gives the Wild a 2-1-1 record on their trip; a success.
Colorado @ Pittsburgh
Pick: Penguins -1.5 (+175)
This is the kind of pick analytics won’t help you with. Last Saturday the Penguins were embarrassed 4-0 by the New Jersey Devils on the road. It was their 3rd loss in 4 games. As can be expected, the Penguins were not happy. These are the moments when teams look to their leadership. Assistant captain, Evgeni Malkin, stepped up on Saturday night vocally and more importantly, followed through on the ice three days later on Tuesday. On Saturday, Malkin called out the entire locker room for the poor work ethic. On Tuesday, the Penguins defeated a very good Minnesota team 4-3; Malkin had 2 goals and 2 assists. Whatever issues the Penguins were having have absolutely nothing to do with talent. If the team responds to Malkin’s call to arms, Colorado doesn’t have a chance.
San Jose @ Philadelphia
Pick: Sharks -135
This pick isn’t complicated. These have to be dark days for the Flyers’ fans. They’re bad. Really bad. San Jose should win tonight without a doubt.
Dallas @ Washington
Pick: Stars -105
The Stars are killing it this year. They’re 15-4 overall, 6-1 in their last 7, and are on a 3 game win streak. The Caps aren’t exactly a walk in the park but they did play in Detroit just last night. I like a more rested Dallas team to come in and take care of business.
NY Rangers @ Tampa Bay
Pick: Rangers -130
New York is riding a 9 game win streak. Only 3 of those games have been decided by 1 goal. The Rangers are dismantling teams every time they take the ice right now. Meanwhile, the Lightning have dropped 4 of their last 5 games including 2 straight losses to the Florida Panthers.
Arizona @ Montreal
Pick: Arizona +1.5 (-170)
This is a shitty line but it’s less shitty than the Habs money line (-200). Montreal isn’t dominating teams like they were the first 10 games of the season. Arizona has been beating teams they have no business beating. The Coyotes could win this game but I think they will keep it close at least.
Anaheim @ Florida
Pick: Florida -115
Six months ago if you had told me that on November 19th the Florida Panthers would be favored against the Anaheim Ducks, I would have laughed in your face. Yet, here we are. The ML for the Ducks and Panthers, respectively, is -115 and -105. For the sake of hockey history I have to roll with the Panthers. If you need more substance to trust your money on this pick, Florida is coming off 2 straight wins against Tampa Bay.
Columbus @ Ottawa
Pick: Blue Jackets +120
The Jackets’ coaching change just might have saved their season. Since replacing Todd Richards with John Tortorella the Blue Jackets are 7-4; before that they were 0-8. It’s not crazy to think if Torts had been at the helm since day 1, the Blue Jackets would be favored in this game.
Buffalo @ Saint Louis
Pick: Sabres +175
Buffalo hasn’t lost 3 games in a row all year. They head into tonight on a 2 game losing streak. The Blues very well could stomp the Sabres out. That actually will probably be the case. But I’m feeling myself tonight and I’m rolling with Cap’n Jack.
