Looking at the NHL slate tonight, this may be one of the most exciting set of games we’ve had all year. Most of these games are interdivisional rivals with serious playoff implications. Instead of breaking down one game, I’m going to do a little writeup on a few of the major games.
New York Rangers @ Pittsburgh Penguins
The New York Rangers head to the steel city for a matchup with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Rangers are currently one point behind the Penguins in the standings with a game in hand. While both teams will most certainly make the playoffs baring an absolute collapse. However, this game does have a significant impact on playoff seeding. These teams met just a few days ago where the Rangers won 5-1.
New York is 6-4-0 in their last 10 games and is coming off a 5-4 overtime win against the rejuvenated Buffalo Sabres. The Ranger’s offense has been much better in their last 10 averaging 3.40 goals for compared to their season average of 3.02, which ranks 18th. Their offense is led by Artemi Panarin, but Chris Kreider has been the hot hand as of late collecting 7 points in the last 4 games.
While New York has been great defensively all year, they have struggled recently allowing an average of 3.30 goals against which is almost a goal more than their season average. Oddly enough, they have done a better job of limiting shots against.
Igor Shesterkin will get the start in net for the Rangers tonight who has a +31.5 GSAx on the season. He started against Pittsburgh in their most recent game where he only allowed one goal on 21 shots.
The Penguins have also been playing some great hockey going 6-3-1 in their last 10 games. Their most recent game was against the Detroit Red Wings where they won 11-2! Everyone on the team had at least one point besides two players.
Pittsburgh’s offense has found its groove averaging 3.90 goals for in their last 10 games. This number is obviously a little skewed given their most recent game. The addition of Rickard Rakell seems to have provided them with some additional depth scoring. Sidney Crosby has been playing particularly averaging 2 points per game in their last 5.
Defensively, Pittsburgh has been around their season average in terms of goals against so nothing noteworthy there. It looks as though Tristan Jarry will get the start for them in net tonight. Jarry also started in their last matchup where he allowed 5 goals on 30 shots. However, he rebounded well stopping 33 of 35 shots against Detroit in his next start.
PICK: PITTSBURGH PENGUINS (-175)
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Boston Bruins
We have another interdivisional rivalry on our hands here as the Maple Leads ship up to Boston to take on the Bruins. These teams are tied in the Atlantic division standings right now so the winner of this game will take over 3rd place. If the Tampa Bay Lighting lose to the Hurricanes tonight in regulation, the winner of this game would move to 2nd in the division.
The Bruins have been red hot as of late going 8-1-1 in their last 10 games and have not lost at home in their last four. Boston’s offense has averaged 3.30 goals for per game in their last 10 compared to their season average of 3.05. Brad Marchand has been their best player as of late with 7 points in their last 5 games. David Pastrnak has also been good with 5 points in the last 2 games.
The Bruins have been around their season average in terms of goals against averaging 2.60. Jeremy Swayman has been solid all year with a 2.09 GAA. He didn’t start in their previous matchup this year, so it’ll be the first time he faces this high-powered offense this year.
The Leafs have also been playing some great hockey as of late going 6-3-1 in their last 10 games. In Toronto’s most recent game, they upset the Florida Panthers 5-2. However, prior to that they lost to the Canadiens at home 4-2.
In terms of offense the Leafs have averaged 3.70 goals in their last 10 which is slightly above their season average. Defensively, they’ve been worse as of late averaging 3.40 goals against compared to their season average of 3.40.
Peter Mrazek will get the start in net who’s had an interesting year with the Maple Leafs. Prior to the trade deadline he was placed on waivers as Toronto was expecting to pick up another goalie. However, that goalie was claimed by the Coyotes, so the Leafs had to take Mrazek back. While he has struggled this year, following his return to the team he’s played well allowing two goals against in each of his two starts.
PICK: BOSTON BRUINS/ TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS UNDER 6.5 (-115)
Carolina Hurricanes @ Tampa Bay Lighting
The Carolina Hurricanes will Tampa Bay Lightning in what could be a preview of the Eastern Conference Finals. The Hurricanes are coming off a game last night where they defeated the Washington Capitals 6-1. On no days rest this year, the Hurricanes are 5-4-2. Tampa last played on Sunday beating the New York Islanders 4-1 on the road. These teams have played twice before this season with Carolina winning both matchups. In their most recent game, there was a scrum to end the game so expect a physical matchup tonight.
The Canes’ haven’t been great as of late going 5-3-2 in their last 10. Their offense has been sub-par averaging 2.80 goals for per game compared to their season average of 3.31. However, they’ve been better defensively averaging 2.20 goals against in their last 10 compared to their season average of 2.37.
Just like the Hurricanes the Lightning have struggled recently going 4-6 in their last 10 games. Their offense has been dreadful averaging 1.20 goals for less than their season average. Their defense has been pretty much they same in terms of goals against. This should be a tough matchup for the Lighting offensively tonight as they face one of the best defenses in the NHL.
Antti Raanta will start for Carolina tonight as Frederick Anderson got the start in Washington last night. While Raanta is the backup for the Hurricanes, he is one of the best backups in the NHL. On the year he has a +6.9 GSAx. The Lightning will have their ace in net tonight as Andrei Vasilevskiy is expected to start. He’s been one of the best goalies in the league this year with a +26.4 GSAx.
PICK: TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING (-140), CAROLINA/ TAMPA BAY UNDER 6.0 (-120)
Player Prop of the Night:
Tonight, I’m looking at a player prop for the Boston Bruins. David Pasternak is currently listed at -140 for over 3.5 Shots on Goal. All of the data I’m referencing can be found at linemate.io. The first thing I’m looking at is their previous matchup this season. When they met on November 6th, Pastrnak had 6 shots on goal. On the year, David Pastrnak has gone over 3.5 Shots on Goal in 58.5% of his games. He’s also gone over this number in four of his last seven games. As a team, the Bruins have also averaged 38.80 SOG in their last 10 which is an uptick from their season average of 35.75. Given his matchup history and recent play, I like him to go over this number again.
PICK: DAVID PASTRNAK OVER 3.5 SOG (-140)
Best of luck, and as always you can find me on Twitter @GatorBetting and Instagram @Gator_Sports_Betting.
