Nashville
and Florida head into the playoffs, others head off into the sunset.
Nashville
Predators at Colorado Avalanche
NHL
Odds: Nashville -130
It’s
official: the Colorado Avalanche have mentally checked out for the season. There
was clear evidence of this on the ice Thursday night when they lost 5-2 at home
to the Columbus Blue Jackets as a -185 favorite. The Avs have now lost five of
their last six games, their lone win coming against the lowly Calgary Flames,
who’ve been just as bad as the Avs of late.
The
Nashville Predators come to town focused on the playoffs. Having already
secured an invitation, they still need a win to secure home-ice advantage in
the first round. So, they’ll have plenty of reason to get up for this game, and
they probably won’t get much of a fight from Colorado.
The
Avs have scored just seven goals in their last five losses while the Preds have
won five of seven while giving up just four goals in those wins. Take the
Preds.
NHL Picks: Predators
Carolina
Hurricanes at Florida Panthers
NHL
Odds: Florida -180
Both
the Carolina Hurricanes and the Florida Panthers have momentum on their side. Unfortunately, that momentum is pulling the
two teams in diametrically opposite directions.
The
Canes have won two straight and are now 7-3-1 in their last 11 games. A win on
Saturday would give them a three-game winning streak to end the year, which they
can use as a positive foundation in the offseason.
Meanwhile,
the Panthers, losers of five straight, are certainly not playing like a playoff
team heading to the postseason; they’ve lost eight of their last nine games.
And one of those losses was a 3-1 defeat at home to Carolina.
There’s
little reason to have faith in Florida right now, so bet Carolina.
NHL Picks: Hurricanes
Tampa Bay
Lightning at Winnipeg Jets
NHL
Odds: Winnipeg -145
The
Winnipeg Jets are trying to finish up their first season back in Winnipeg on a
positive note. Although they had a shot to make the playoffs, they stumbled a
bit, which means that Saturday’s contest is their last of the season.
Winnipeg
has played very well at home. A boisterous crowd can be expected to send them
off with some graciousness after a good season. Winning shouldn’t be a problem
for the Jets given that the Lightning are tied for the fewest road wins in the
NHL.
The
Jets have showed some guts with a
2-1-1 spell in their last three games. One of the losses came in Tampa Bay (3-2
in overtime), and they’ll try to return the favor on Saturday. Tampa Bay has
been very disappointing in their last two road games, losing to Montreal and
Toronto, the worst and third-worst teams in the Eastern Conference respectively.
Since
the Jets are a respectable 23-13-4 at home, look for them to get an emotional
home win to wind down the season and head into the offseason on a positive
note.
NHL Picks: Jets