Picks: Vote on the New Fan Favourite Pick!
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Anaheim Ducks +110 at New Jersey Devils -130
The Devils host the league’s longest win-streak, currently at 5 games, but have struggled at home only going 3-4 opposed to a perfect 8-0 at home. The Devils are the third-lowest scoring team in their home building, only averaging 2.0 goals per game, while the Ducks have had more success, averaging 2.8 goals for on the road. Their defense at home averages 2.7 goals allowed per game matched up against the Ducks’ road defense, 2.6 goals allowed – good for 10th overall. After a dismal middle stretch of games so far, the Ducks are finally putting up solid consecutive solid performances – perhaps after being woken up by a hammering courtesy of the then-winless Leafs. That’s good news for us here because Anaheim has been good on the road, 2-1-2, and won 2 of 3 on their last trip to the East Coast. The Devils haven’t announced who starts yet but we could see Danis go again as the Devils play Pittsburgh tomorrow night.
Pick: Ducks +110
New York Islanders +170 at Washington Capitals -200
This is the third time these goalies will square off against each other this year, so far each taking a game in their opponent’s rink. The Isles upset the Caps huge, 4-3, in their last meeting on Oct 30. The Islanders have won 5 of their last 7 and aren’t as much of a pushover as the oddsmakers will have you believe. Dwayne Roloson has won 4 straight starts and boasts a 1.99 GAA over that stretch. Three of those games have been at home, however, where the Isles have played better hockey – Roloson is 1-1-1 with a 3.86 GAA on the road this season. The Caps have shown they can still score without Ovechkin and have the league’s second-best offense at home, averaging 4.0 goals per game. Neither team brings a solid defense into this game with Washington averaging 3.2 goals allowed at home and New York averaging 3.6 goals allowed on the road.
Pick: Over 6.0 goals +100
Los Angeles Kings -165 at Carolina Hurricanes +145
Jonathan Quick appears to be getting the night off due to poor play but his team needs to score goals (only 2 goals in 2 games) in order to have a chance to win. Fortunately Carolina, starting Manny Legace, gives them that chance. Legace was sent down to the minors last season for less-than-stellar play and he hasn’t really rebounded – Carolina has been forced to turn to Legace because the 5.12 GAA of Michael Leighton on the season just won’t cut it. In 6 games with the AHL Chicago Wolves, Legace is 2-2-1 with a 3.21 GAA and .898 SV%. LA is looking at Erik Ersberg who allowed 4 goals in his only action of the season, a 4-2 loss to the Rangers. Despite their recent scoring struggles, the Kings can score as they have the league’s 6th-best offense at 3.2 goals per game. The Canes have the league’s second-worst defense at 3.7 goals allowed per game. Carolina also has the worst offense in the league at only 2.0 goals per game but have surprisingly not faced any back-up goaltenders all season. This could very easily be a snoozefest the way both offenses have been playing but given the quality of goaltenders at each end, you have to expect some scoring.
Pick: Over 5.5 goals -110
Colorado Avalanche +160 at Chicago Blackhawks -180
This line is enormous and it really doesn’t deserve to be. The Avs could very easily surprise the Hawks, they beat them at home just two games prior. Colorado has the 9th-best offense overall with 3.1 goals for, but they have had a little more trouble scoring on the road averaging only 2.6 goals for. In fact, in 11 road games this season, Colorado has gone under the posted game total in 8 of them. They have the 8th-best road defense at 2.5 goals per game and the 5th-best road penalty kill at 87%. The Hawks have the 12th-ranked home scoring at 3.4 goals for, feature the 15th-best home defense, 2.6 goals allowed per game, and the 5th-best home penalty kill at 86.5%. Overall, the Hawks have the 7th-best defense at 2.4 goals allowed per game. The Hawks have also gone under in 7 of their last 8 games played – 5, all under, at home during that stretch.
Pick: Under 5.5 goals -110
Fan Favourite Record: 0-1, -1.00
Betting results by category so far this season:
- Money Line 34-34, -18.69
- Puck Line 7-14, -5.3
- Game Totals 29-20-1, +2.67