NHL Wednesday Preview and Discussion

BUF @ BOS. Expected Goalies: Luukkonen v. Ullmark.

Sabres are an impressive 20-9 on the PL as they are a better road team than they are at home. That's something to consider with this steep line. Bruins are 14-1 vs. the Sabres over the last three seasons. Both teams have traded wins at each other's barn this year. The Bruins are in a 3-in-4 and 4-in-6 situation and this is their first game back at home after a road trip. I don't like that angle at all for them but the Sabres are still short Dahlin (as of now, could change later) & Tuch and UPL has been very shaky in net of late. Tage has been on fire but one man can only do so much. Bruins have won 8 straight games. Over is 5-0 in Sabres last 5 games playing on 1 days rest. Over is 4-1 in Sabres last 5 vs. Eastern Conference. Sabres are 16-5 in their last 21 road games. Bruins are 6-1 in their last 7 in the third game of a 3-in-4 situation. Under is 5-1 in Bruins last 6 vs. a team with a winning record. Sabres are 1-9 in the last 10 meetings in Boston. Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Boston. UPL has allowed 4 goals in each of his last 2 games. Ullmark is coming off an insane 54 save performance against the Flames 2 nights ago which makes me think Swayman could get the nod.

NASH @ FLA. Expected Goalies: Saros v. Bobrovsky. 

Preds beat Panthers 7-3 in Nashville back in the middle of February. Predators are 5-0 vs. the Panthers on the road off a loss over their last 5 games. Panthers are coming off a big 4-1 win over the Lightning and the Preds are coming off a 3-1 loss to the Pens. Over is 6-1-1 in Predators last 8 games playing on 1 days rest. Over is 5-1 in Predators last 6 overall. Over is 6-1-1 in Panthers last 8 games playing on 1 days rest. Over is 8-2-2 in Panthers last 12 home games. So many recent stats point toward the over except this one: Under is 7-2-2 in the last 11 meetings in Florida. Saros is coming off 3 straight games of allowing 2 or less when in net. Bob only allowed 1 against the Lightning.

OTT @ NYR. Expected Goalies: Talbot v. Halak.

Both teams are 6-3-1 in their L10. Both also skewing more to the over in their L10. This is the 3rd and final meeting of the season for these 2 with each team winning one in the other's rink in close games. This is a 4-in-6 spot for the Sens and a b2b spot for the Rangers. Ottawa hasn't scored less than 5 goals in each of their last 3 games. Over is 4-0 in Senators last 4 games playing on 1 days rest. Senators are 4-0 in their last 4 games playing on 1 days rest. Rangers are 6-1 in their last 7 home games. Over is 4-1 in Rangers last 5 home games. Rangers are 4-1 in their last 5 games playing on 0 days rest. Road team is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings. Under is 20-6-5 in the last 31 meetings in New York. Ottawa is still in a tough spot for the last Wildcard spot (but only 2 points behind the 3 teams ahead of them) and needs the points tonight but is in a tough spot. 

More games below..

PITT @ TB. Expected Goalies: Jarry v. Vasilevskiy

Pitt has smoked the Lightning twice this season; 6-2 and 7-3 just the other day. Both teams played last 2 days ago and have been on the same schedule for 4 straight games. Pens have won 3 straight after that long losing streak. Lightning have dropped 2 in a row. Jarry only gave up 1 goal against the Preds in his last outing and Vasi gave up 3 relatively quick ones to the Panthers in his last game. Over is 3-0-1 in Penguins last 4 vs. Eastern Conference. Penguins are 0-4 in their last 4 Thursday games. Over is 8-1-1 in Penguins last 10 Thursday games. Over is 5-1-1 in Lightning last 7 following a home loss of 3 or more goals. Under is 4-1 in Lightning last 5 games playing on 1 days rest. Penguins are 4-1 in the last 5 meetings. Over is 35-10-6 in the last 51 meetings. Don't know if I love the with how well Jarry has played in his last 2 games and if Vasi gets the nod again after giving up 3 goals. 

SEA @ DET. Expected Goalies: Jones v. Husso.

After a nice winning stretch the Red Wings have dropped 3 in a row only scoring 1, 2, 0 in their L3. And 2 of those losses were against the Sens. Seattle beat Detroit at home 4-2 in mid February. To make matters worse for the Wings they are in a 4-in-6 situation. Kraken are 5-1 in their last 6 vs. a team with a losing record (they remind me of the Sabres of the West). Total niche stat of the day: Under is 6-0-1 in Red Wings last 7 games after allowing 8 or more power play opportunities in their previous game. Over is 4-0-1 in Red Wings last 5 vs. Western Conference. Red Wings are 5-1 in their last 6 vs. Western Conference. Husso gave up 6 goals against the Sens in his last appearance. Jones gave up 3 against the Kraken.

DAL @ CHI. Expected Goalies: Oettinger v. Mrazek.

Season series is 1-1 with both games going over. Blackhawks are 4-1 vs. the Stars at home off two or more days rest over their last 5 games. Both teams are in a 4-in-6 spot. Since Otter was in yesterday it makes sense Wedgewood could get the nod tonight. Under is 6-0 in Stars last 6 games playing on 0 days rest. Stars are 5-0 in their last 5 in the third game of a 3-in-4 situation. Stars are 8-1 in their last 9 Thursday games. Under is 7-0 in Blackhawks last 7 Thursday games. Over is 4-1 in Blackhawks last 5 in the fourth game of a 4-in-6 days situation. Blackhawks are 10-45 in their last 55 vs. a team with a winning record. Over is 10-1 in the last 11 meetings. Favorite is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings. It's hard for me to buy into a Blackhawks win after selling off parts and guys being out of the lineup. Mrazek gave up 4 goals in his last game against the Ducks.

More games below...

Great write-up 'O', can't thank you enough 

First thought is watch Vasi, remember he's still world class and after a bad performance he can usually be counted on to bounce back. 'Seems ' like he usually pitches a shutout after a poor performance. (At least in games that count) This could be a good spot for Tampa to get back on track and they're pretty damn good at home. 

Thanks again Bud Best of Luck today

Wednesday? Thursday? Hell, you are beginning to sound like Rustie when all days run together 

Was totally wrong about Buffalo the other night (a reason why I am in timeout). I do feel like Tampa will be a different beast tonight. Also, Halak in net? Hmmmmm Sens will bring it for sure. While Panthers chances are fading, still think there is fight left. Need to see if Barkov and Bennett status but again the Preds have fire sold the team this week. Mojo can't be the best. 

TOR @ CGY. Expected Goalies: Woll v. Vladar

Flames are 3-4-3 in their L10. They are a very weak 8-21 on the PL at home. Leafs beat Flames 5-4 (OT) in Toronto back in December. Flames have lost last 4 of 5 dropping their last one in OT to the Bruins. Toronto is on a b2b after losing to the Oilers last night. Maple Leafs are 6-1 in their last 7 games following a loss of 3 or more goals. Maple Leafs are 13-3 in their last 16 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game. Over is 5-1 in Flames last 6 vs. Eastern Conference. Over is 5-1 in Flames last 6 vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Over is 3-0-1 in the last 4 meetings in Calgary. Maple Leafs are 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Calgary. Favorite is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings. Woll lasted play on February 18th only giving up 1 goal against the Habs. Tough game to call. Maybe another OT game. Because of all their recent losses, I'd lead Flames here who are 5 points back of the last wild card spot.

MIN @ VAN. Expected Goalies: MAF v. Demko.

Wild have won both games this year against the Nucks; 4-0 and 3-0. As you might be able to predict, the Wild are 1-9-0 O/U in their L10. They don't score much and they don't allow much either. Nucks have quietly played very well in their last 5 games for a team that looks to be looking toward the future.  Wild are 6-0 in their last 6 games playing on 1 days rest. Over is 6-0-1 in Canucks last 7 games playing on 2 days rest. Canucks are 0-8 in their last 8 games following a win. Wild are 5-0 in the last 5 meetings. MAF has strung together 2 good games but both were against the Blue Jackets. Demko has allowed at least 3 goals in his last 4 starts. The Wild are only 3 points behind the Stars in the Central. 

MON @ LAK. Expected Goalies: Allen v. Copley.

Kings beat the Habs 4-2 in Montreal back in December. Both teams are 7-3-0 O/U in their L10 and 6-4 W/L in their L10 overall. Kings are coming off an impressive come from behind win against the Jets. Over is 5-1-1 in Canadiens last 7 games following a win. Over is 4-0 in Kings last 4 vs. a team with a losing record. Over is 11-1-1 in Kings last 13 games playing on 1 days rest. Under is 6-1 in the last 7 meetings BUT when they play in LA the over is 4-1-1. Road team is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings. Allen only gave up 1 goal in his last start against the Sharks. Copley gave up 5 against the Jets but was razor sharp late in OT and in the shootout against a very desperate Jets team. 

1 more below..

OH SHOOT it is Thursday. Can a mod here do me a big favor and change that in the subject????!? 

LAST GAME.

STL @ SJ. Expected Goalies: Binnington v. Reimer.

Blues beat Sharks 5-3 back in November. Blues have lost 6 straight. SJ has lost 3 straight. Both teams aren't good but I'll give the Blues some credit for being very competitive in their last several games. Under is 7-1-4 in Blues last 12 games playing on 1 days rest. Under is 6-1 in Sharks last 7 games playing on 1 days rest. Over is 23-6-1 in Sharks last 30 vs. Western Conference. Favorite is 6-0 in the last 6 meetings. Blues are 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in San Jose. Blues are 14-3 in the last 17 meetings. Reimer gave up SIX goals in his last game against the Preds on the 23rd of February. Binner has given up at least 3 goals in his last 5 starts.

Please add your notes, comments and predictions below.

@rustie

 Thank you. I too think Tampa Bay is in a great bounce back spot tonight. 

Wow..rich getting richer.

https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/2564096/bruins-acquire-bertuzzi-from-red-wings-for-pair-of-picks

Him and Marchand on the same team. Talk about pest infestation. 

We'll just call it Blursday, then shall we ?

LOL, nailed it Doc, I'm living proof 'Groundhog Day' was a documentary.

Leafs bounce back I expect. 

Good pick up by the Bruins. Indeed, the rich get richer. But the Wings also get some draft collateral for a guy who was an upcoming free agent and not likely to return.

I usually avoid scrub games but I can't keep my eyes off the Blues for some reason. I need to get my eyes checked, I think.

Can a mod change the subject for me (or is that rarely if ever done)? My apologies to those seeing this and wondering why I botched the day of the week. 

Jakob Chychrun 

Jakob Chychrun landed in Manhattan this am and didn’t take morning skate. You’d think he’d be a go,come game time

The Florida Panthers will look for some revenge when they kick off a seven-game homestand with a battle against the Nashville Predators at FLA Live Arena on Thursday.

On Feb. 18, the Predators secured a 7-3 win over the Panthers at Bridgestone Arena.

"We've got to make amends for that," Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said. "As much as we remember that [game], their team's gone through a whole bunch of chances and we're coming off a game that we loved. We'll spend all our time talking about replicating our Tampa effort."

If Kane plays tonight which I think he will, I might have to take him as a goal scorer. I feel like players who come to a team score in their first game. I'm sure rangers will be passing to him a lot.

Everyone seems to be on Tampa. Pitt is playing well and Tampa is not. Not sure I can do it but Tampa seems like the play

#Preds head coach John Hynes confirms Kevin Lankinen will get the start between the pipes tonight vs. Florida

word is Quick to the Knights

Pierre Dorion looking smart with that trade for Chychrun, I really thought that he would have brought more than a 1st and two 2nd Rounders?

That leaves Karlson, where's he going ?

Looks like Swayman tonight for the Bruins.  

Because Arizona ran out of options with Oilers and Kings so they had to take what they could get.  My guess is Zona asking price was way too high to begin with. 

@rustie

 Is  chychrun a rental or under contract?

@dubz4dummyz

 Under contract till 2024-25, Sens are quietly putting together a decent group.

@rustie

 Wow steal of a deal for the sens...

The Bruins will hammer this team tonight. The Sabres stink and Luukkonen is absolute garbage. He can't stop a beach ball.