Previews for NHL games from December 23-29.
Montreal Canadiens @ Boston Bruins
Despite matching up pretty evenly the past few seasons, the Boston Bruins have owned Montreal lately in this classic Original Six rivalry.
The Bruins are 8-2 SU against the Habs in their last 10 meetings. Both teams are in the heat of the ultra-tight Atlantic Division battle at the moment, Montreal with 19 wins and Boston with 20.
So where do you find the edge for the Canadiens-Bruins game? It might be on home ice, but only slightly. The Bruins have covered the puck line in 29 out of 43 games at home. Not a percentage you want to bet the farm on, but one that’s worth considering. The Garden is still a tough place to play, no matter where Boston sits in the standings.
The catch this year is that Montreal is a different team. They’re capable of scoring in bunches and have sat in or near the top 5 in the NHL in goals scored since the beginning of the year. Add in red-hot rookie goalie Jacob Fowler, fresh off a shutout of Sidney Crosby and the Penguins, and this could be the game where Montreal starts to turn around the B’s domination of late.
Check out the latest odds on Lucky Rebel.
Florida Panthers @ Carolina Hurricanes
The injury bug that took down a number of Florida’s top players (Barkov and Tkachuk to name just a few) has migrated north to Carolina.
Suddenly, the ‘Canes are without their top goalscorer Seth Jarvis and top D-man Jaccob Slavin. While Florida’s been without their key players since October and they’ve had time to adjust, both the Hurricanes’ injuries just came up in the past week. Forward lines and defensive pairings will need to be tested out in real time and that could trip up the Hurricanes.
So where does that leave the Florida-Carolina betting odds?
If last week was any indication, it looks good for the Panthers. They roared back from a 3-0 deficit midway through the third period against Carolina less than a week ago to win in a shootout. And Florida’s showing some of that grit that took them to the Stanley Cup Finals the past few years – it was their second late 3-goal comeback in just two weeks.
Carolina is still favored though. Maybe the books haven’t fully priced in Jarvis’ fresh injury yet, or maybe they’re looking at the 22-10-3 record that the Hurricanes are sporting. Either way, we like the ‘dog here, especially when it’s a two-time reigning Stanley Cup champion underdog.
Calgary Flames @ Edmonton Oilers
Connor McDavid is on an absolute heater lately, as you’ve probably seen in the highlights every night. The Oilers legend has 62 points on the season, and it’s gotten to the point where it’s weird when he doesn’t have a multi-point game. His current point streak consists of 10 straight games and 26 points during that stretch.
The Edmonton-Calgary “Battle of Alberta” rivalry is one of the best in the NHL. Both fan bases really dislike each other and that spills onto the ice too. More often than not, these games are penalty-filled, and that means more PP opportunities for McDavid.
Both teams are 3-2 in their last 5 games, and while Calgary dug themselves a hole during the first two months of the season, they’re 6-2 since early December and won’t roll over for McDavid and the Oil. They didn’t in their previous match, a 4-3 season opening Flames win in OT.
If you’re looking for some live betting for this matchup, wait and see if Edmonton scores first. They’re an amazing 15-1-3 this year when potting the opening goal of the game.
While Calgary is pulling it together this month, we like the Oilers to cover. They landed Spencer Stastney in a recent deal, and he’s solidified the Oilers defence already. They needed a refresh after their former goalie Stuart Skinner was getting rocked every other night in nets, and Stastney came in while Skinner went out. Championship teams (Edmonton has been to the Stanley Cup both times in the last two seasons) use December to elevate themselves while the average teams fight fatigue and travel.
Colorado Avalanche @ Vegas Golden Knights
While the Avalanche are (rightly) getting all the headlines for the season they’re having, Vegas is flying under the radar with a playoff-worthy showing. The Golden Knights are 3rd in the NHL in losses in regulation, behind only the Avs and the Stars.
This Saturday night clash comes after the short Christmas break for the NHL. That’s a small but maybe attractive edge for Vegas, as it levels the ice surface while both teams find their legs for the first period.
The Avs started the week on a 5-game win streak (when aren’t they on a win streak this season?). So not much news there, just Nathan MacKinnon battling it out with Connor McDavid every other night for the overall NHL scoring lead and Cale Makar dominating the NHL in points from the blueline.
The Knights came into the week on a streak of their own, three straight L’s. Not the time to meet the soul-crushing Avalanche. Still, the likely return of their top player Jack Eichel to the lineup and a much-needed Xmas reset could help Vegas keep it close against the Avs. The Knights might also get a boost if they put Carter Hart in nets again – he’s 3-1-2 since joining the team earlier this month.
New York Rangers @ New York Islanders
Both Big Apple teams face off on Saturday night this week, with just 2 points separating them in the NHL standings.
Home ice advantage? Not really an issue when you’re a subway ride away from the other team’s rink.
What is an issue is the day-to-day status of the Isles’ leading scorer, Bo Horvat. His 19 goals are 7 more than the next player on the roster, Emil Heineman, with 12. Only one other NYI player has double digits. Expect a big scoring drop-off if Horvat isn’t ready after the Christmas break.
And expect the Under either way. The Rangers are dead last in the NHL in goals scored this season, struggling with a 2.50 goals per game average. The reason they’re still in the hunt at this point of the season is that they’re 7th in goals allowed, as goalie Jonathan Quick is dominating games with a 1.79 GAA. If Horvat’s out, don’t be surprised to see the Rangers pull off the upset.