After a shortened slate yesterday, Tuesday offers us
plenty of pickings.
New Jersey Devils at
Toronto Maple Leafs
NHL Odds: Devils -115
The New Jersey Devils and the Toronto Maple Leafs have
been two teams heading in opposite directions in the last couple of weeks, and
we’ll look for those trends to continue.
The Leafs have lost five of six while the Devils are
8-1-1 in their last 10. Goaltending has been the noticeable difference between
the two teams as the Leafs have been outscored 25-11 in their run while the
Devils have been led by Martin Brodeur, who is 7-1-0 with a 1.72 GAA in his
last eight. James Reimer has 4.31 GAA in his last five starts while Jonas
Gustavsson has a 3.42 GAA in his last four.
The Devils have won three of four in this series along with
their last two visits to the Air Canada Centre.
NHL Picks: Devils
Detroit Red Wings
at Chicago Blackhawks
NHL Odds: Blackhawks -110
It looks like the Chicago Blackhawks have turned a corner
and gotten back on the winning track. They’ve won three straight and scored 13
goals in the process and that’s an encouraging sign.
They’ll be hosting the red-hot Red Wings, but Detroit is
a much stronger team at home than on the road where they are just 15-15-1. The
Blackhawks are a strong home team and should be able to take advantage. They
have won six of their last seven home games.
Jimmy Howard is expected to be back between the pipes but
he’s 4-5-1 with a 3.06 GAA against them. Conversely, Blackhawks netminder Corey
Crawford has played a bit better going 5-2-2 with a 2.20 GAA in nine career
starts versus the Detroit Red Wings.
NHL Picks: Blackhawks
Edmonton Oilers at
Calgary Flames
NHL Odds: Flames -165
The Calgary Flames beat the Edmonton Oilers like their
little brother in the worst of times. In the best of times, another win
shouldn’t be a problem.
The Flames have won nine straight over the Oilers and 10
straight at home. They’ve played particularly well recently, which should be
encouraging to bettors for Tuesday’s matchup.
Calgary is 5-0-3 in their last eight games and are now
tied for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Meanwhile, the Oilers have lost three straight and five
of their last six games. Devan Dubnyk is likely to be in net on Tuesday after
Nikolai Khabibulin exited from the team’s latest contest with a groin injury.
He’s got an 0-3-1 lifetime record against Calgary with a 3.44 GAA.
On the flipside, Miikka Kiprusoff has owned the Oilers.
He’s won nine straight against them while posting a 2.08 GAA. Take the Flames.
NHL Picks: Flames
Anaheim Ducks at
Tampa Bay Lightning
NHL Odds: Ducks -115
It’s hard not to keep going back to the wishing well with
the Anaheim Ducks as they continue to roll. It’s even harder not to like them
given their competition on Tuesday.
The Tampa Bay Lightning have three wins in their last
seven and are playing like a team that’s about to fold up for the season.
They’ve already started to trade away veteran parts as a signal that they
aren’t planning on competing this season. They’re only six points out of a
playoff spot but at the same time, they’re just one point better than the worst
team in the East.
The Ducks are playing with plenty of confidence and
should have a huge advantage in net. Jonas Hiller, who is the NHL’s reigning
first star of the week.
The Ducks have won six of seven in this series and
they’re worth a flier to make that seven of eight.
NHL Picks: Ducks