13 Tampa Bay at 21 Buffalo
Buffalo is playing well and there are no key injuries. They will get opportunities against the Lightning and I think guys like O'Reilly, Eichel, Moulson and Reinhart can finish. Tampa has been in a goal slump - they create but aren't finishing. Kucherov has been about it for Tampa Bay. If anyone else, like Tyler Johnson or Steven Stamkos or Victor Hedman, can get a goal, Tampa should win.
Buffalo 6/4
12 Boston at 3 Washington
I have to give it to Boston and Krejci and Bergeron and Chara - they are keeping this team solid. Marchand and Erikson help a lot too. The Caps have to rebound after their loss to the Rangers. They played well but just didn't make the most of opportunities while the Rangers did. If they give those opportunities up to Boston, Boston has the players to make them pay. Ovechkin has been gold so far this season.
Washington 6/4
11 New York Islanders at 1 Montreal
If Tavares is a no-show tonight for the Isles, I give Montreal 9/1. Looks like he will play though. Montreal gives up rebounds and can get caught with their defensemen pushing offense. But they usually have handled that well mostly. Pacioretty and Plekanec have been goal-less in their last five games. Montreal is pretty unstoppable when these two are scoring.
Montreal 6/4
10 Winnipeg at 20 Ottawa
I think Winnipeg will create more chances. Ottawa's goalie Craig Anderson is playing so well though - keeping it simple and not trying to be too much. I don't think Winnipeg can give up any soft goals. Blake Wheeler has a hot hand. Ladd might be the difference maker tonight. Ottawa's Kyle Turris can be that for his team as well.
Tossup 5/5
7 Nashville at 6 Minnesota
When I think of a game like this, I think of who will stand up to make a difference. There are many. Minnesota is more of the determined type and Nashville is more of the straight skill type. This will be a good match-up. Both teams still need to prove they are better than they were last season.
Tossup 5/5
22 Philadelphia at 27 Calgary
I just can't see putting any confidence in either of these. I think Philly has shown more upside. But they can play worthless hockey, too. Calgary, hmmm - they've been basically zeros this season, after some seemingly good offseason moves, too. When will there be a Jokab Voracek sighting?
Tossup 5/5
28 Colorado at 24 Arizona
Arizona hasn't been on the ice in forever, it seems. Tippett should have them ready, right!? Colorado doubled up on Calgary, which must have felt good. Hanzal is back in the lineup - that is only positive.
Arizona 6/4
30 Columbus at 2 Los Angeles
I haven't watched many of the 6 games so far in the Blue Jackets/Tortorella experiment but they have three wins - an infinite amount more than the zero wins before he arrived. My guess is that they are playing with a little more consistency in their own end. This will be a good test for them - Los Angeles is playing very good hockey.
Los Angeles 8/2
16 Florida at 17 San Jose
Both of these teams can be good. Both have been on the bottom side of close games. Both can give up high quality chances in critical times. Crazy to say a 40+ year old guy would be the difference maker if he is in the lineup, but it's Jaromir Jagr and he has always been that guy. Gudbranson and Huberdeau need to step up for the Panthers and for their careers.
Tossup 5/5
Predictability score: 5.78
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