Games Tonight: October 20th

16 Arizona at 27 New Jersey
New Jersey has put together some very good efforts. I was impressed with the way they played the Rangers and San Jose recently. Arizona is coming off of two losses. The Minnesota loss wasn't terrible - Minnesota is going to win some. But Boston. I am counting on Arizona to play better hockey than that. Another good, weigh-the-team game for Arizona.
Arizona

13 Florida at 19 Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is showing signs of gellin'. Florida is a solid team and playing well. Dallas stung them but that is ok. Beating the Pens will redeem that loss. This is a good test for the Pens, that's for sure. They bring a two-win "streak" into the game. With the Pens, everyone thinks offense, but this team needs the defense to make things difficult. If that happens, the Pens should win another one.
Pittsburgh

6 New York Islanders at 30 Columbus
It's hard to see Columbus out-scoring the Isles. Is it possible? Yes, if almost everything they are doing, they stop doing. I can't fault Ryan Johansen much. He is bringing his game. Actually, I don't know any player to blame. But they are not protecting the center of the ice. The Isles are taking on the character of their leader - John Tavares. They play well all over the ice when they are playing well. They have good finishers and Tavares is masterful.
Islanders

3 Dallas at 17 Philadelphia
Dallas is good. The Benn/Seguin line is almost entirely up to them finishing. They will create. Philly has shown up their last two games. Oh wait, it was all Michal Neuvirth. Certainly makes it easier on me to pick the winner. Honestly, though, the Flyers will have to protect the center of the ice - Dallas can be lethal if given time with the puck.
Philadelphia

4 St. Louis at 1 Montreal
Hard to go against what Montreal is putting together here. They are playing good hockey everywhere on the ice. St. Louis is playing good hockey as well, but without Tarasenko or Steen just putting up a special night, I don't see St Louis winning. The Habs are deep and humming.
Montreal

10 Tampa Bay at 5 Nashville
This is another tough one to call. Tampa has depth at scoring and with Hedman back, the blueline is one of the better in the league. Nashville has a hot James Neal and plenty of depth and they work hard for Peter Laviolette.
Nashville

12 Washington at 29 Calgary
Calgary plays an aggressive hap-hazard style from what I can tell. This can work at times and at others fail miserably. Long-term they need to settle down and rely on those decent defensemen they have. Washington is tough this year. Defensively, they are playing as tight as ever. I love Justin Williams on this team. Their only loss was due to an alarm malfunction in the Ovechkin crib.
Washington