In the Crease - Week 28
Joe Williams
Detroit Rock City
The Detroit Red Wings have been eliminated for a long time, but they're certainly not throwing in the towel. They have won six in a row, and eight of the past nine outings. During their current six-game winning streak they have cashed some huge numbers, including +330 at Vegas on March 23 and +320 at San Jose on March 25. They also toppled Boston (+180) at home on March 31, 6-3, while also dealing Pittsburgh (+170) a costly loss for another solid payout for those who invested in the Red Wings. During the 6-0-0 run, they have cashed a healthy (+1235).
They'll play the second end of the home-and-home with the Penguins in the Steel City on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. ET, and they're a huge underdog (+275). Are you feeling them, or is the win streak finally going to end? The Red Wings have won just once in their past five trips to Pittsburgh, although the underdog is 5-2 in the past seven meetings, with the 'over' 5-1 in the past six meetings in Western Pennsylvania. The over is also 12-4 in the past 16 meetings overall in the series.
Looking Ahead
Thursday, April 4
Montreal at Washington: The Canadiens are fighting for a wild-card spot, while the Capitals are still shooting for a division title. Both teams have something to play for, so this one should be one of the best games of the evening. The Habs are 6-2 in the past eight games overall, while going 5-2 in the past seven against Eastern Confernce teams. However, they're just 2-5 in the past seven road games, and 1-8 in the past nine away from home against teams with a winning home record. The Canadiens are just 2-6 in the past seven meetings, but the road team is 20-7 in the past 27 in this series, and the underdog is 22-9 in the past 31 battles overall.
Tampa Bay at Toronto: The Lightning head into this one with a 42-9 mark across their past 51 against the Eastern Conference, steamrolling all comers. They're also 39-16 in the past 55 games on the road, an area which will obviously handy once the postseason begins. Tampa Bay has won four of the past five in this series, and they're 4-1 in the past five trips to Toronto, too. The Leafs are a solid 41-20 in their past 61 at home.
Winnipeg at Colorado: The Jets have won just once in the past five games overall, but it seems the closer together the games are, the better they do. That will serve them well in the playoffs. In the past 27 in the third game of a 3-in-4 situation, they're 21-6. They're also 17-6 in the past 23 in the fourth game of a 4-in-6 situation. Colorado has won five in a row at home, and they're 7-2 in the past nine overall. The Avalanche need just one point in the next two games to eliminate the Arizona Coyotes and punch their ticket to the postseason.
Friday, April 5
Dallas at Chicago: The Blackhawks won a hard fought game on Wednesday, topping the Blues 4-3 in a shootout behind Cam Ward in his first start in a month. It might be his final start in the NHL, unless he elects to return for another season. The Stars are into the postseason, clinching over the weekend, and they're 5-2 in the past seven meetings in this series. The road team has cashed in four straight meetings, with the 'over' going 20-7-1 in the past 28 meetings in the Windy City.
Los Angeles at Anaheim: The Kings and Ducks have nothing to play for but pride. Even if neither of these teams are going to the playoffs, this will be played like a playoff game most likely. These rivals do not like each other, so it should be entertaining. L.A. has won just seven of their past 26 games, and they're 3-9 in the past 12 as a road underdog. Anaheim isn't quitting, either. They beat the No. 1 seed Flames on Wednesday, moving to 32-1 in their past 33 regular-season home games against Calgary. In this series, the under is 4-1 in the past five meetings, the home team is 4-1 in the past five, and the favorite has cashed in nine of the past 11 in this series.
Saturday, April 6
Toronto at Montreal: The Maple Leafs could potentially knock their Original Six rivals out of the postseason depending on how things shake down over the next couple of days. That should make Saturday's battle very interesting. The Habs haven't had a lot of success against the Leafs lately, with Toronto going 7-0 in the past seven meetings, and the favorite cashing in each of the past five in the series.
Carolina at Philadelphia: The Hurricanes could be playing for their playoff lives on Saturday, or they might simply be jockeying for the seventh seed just to avoid the Tampa Bay Lightning in the playoffs. Either way, this will be an important game. They just beat Philly 5-2 as home favorites on March 30 behind Petr Mrazek, who has won 10 of his past 12 entering play on Thursday. They'll be looking to complete the season sweep against the Flyers, including a home-and-home win on Dec. 31 and Jan. 3. Mrazek won the last game in Philly on Jan. 3 by a 5-3 margin.
Colorado at San Jose: The Avalanche might have already clinched a playoff spot by the time the puck drops, but depending on what happens in the Dallas game on Friday night, the Avalanche could potentially be playing for the first wild-card, and a chance to avoid the Calgary Flames. The Sharks have been sick lately, and not in a good way. They're limping into the playoffs and need a momentum builder. They have won four meetings in a row at home against the Avalanche since Dec. 28, 2016, and the over is an impressive 7-1-1 in the past nine in this series. The home team is also 7-2 in the past nine meetings, with the favorite 3-0 in the past three.
