In the Crease - Week 15
January 10, 2018
STREAKY TEAMS
Wins and Losses Streak Over/Under Streak
Boston 8-2 past 10 games overall
Anaheim Under 12-3 past 15 games overall
Vancouver 2-13 past 15 games overall
Montreal Under 7-1 past eight games overall
Washington 5-0 past five games overall
N.Y. Islanders Over 9-2-2 past 13 games overall
Beantown Profits
The Boston Bruins are on quite the roll lately, picking up at least one point in 11 consecutive games, going 8-0-2-1 during the impressive span. They last lost in regulation on Dec. 14 against the nemesis Washington Capitals. They also fell to the Caps 4-3 in a shootout on Dec. 28. The good news is that the B's do not have to face the Caps again this season. The offense has kicked into high gear for Boston, making bettors a lot of money in the process. Boston is averaging 4.5 goals per game over the past 10 games, so it's no surprise the 'over' is 4-1-1 over the past six outings.
Single Digits
The Tampa Bay Lightning continue to show the way with 65 points, leading the NHL in the quest for the President's Trophy at roughly the halfway mark. Through 43 games they're 31-9-1-2, and they're the only team in the league yet to experience their 10th loss of the season. The Lightning also lead the league with an impressive plus-53 goal differential, while posting a sparkling 17-3-1 record at home. Only the expansion Vegas Golden Knights have had a better record (18-2-1) at home so far this season. They have rattled off three straight 'over' results, too, while averaging 3.4 goals per game over the past 10 contests.
Looking Ahead
Wednesday, January 10
The Blackhawks host the Wild in the Windy City and they're slight favorites. Minnesota suffered a 3-2 setback in overtime against the visiting Flames with their backup goaltender Alex Stalock in between the pipes. They will have Devan Dubnyk in the blue ice against Jeff Glass in a matchup that appears to have the visitors. Of course, Chicago's offense came alive with eight goals in Ottawa on Tuesday night. Something's gotta give in this one, as neither team has been very good against the number lately. Minnesota is 3-15 in their past 18 road games against a team with a winning home record, and 0-4 in their past four on no days of rest. Chicago is 1-6 in their past seven in the second end of a back-to-back situation, and they're 7-18 in their past 25 against teams with a winning record. However, they have won five of the past six at United Center.
Thursday, January 11
The Hurricanes and Capitals will do battle in another light night on the frozen surface. Carolina entered play Wednesday just one point out of the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. They're 1-4 in their past five overall, and 0-4 in their past four tries against teams with a winning record. For whatever reason they have shined with one day of rest, going 4-1 in their past five. And they're 11-5 in their past 16 games on a Thursday, for what that's worth.
The Caps have rattled off victories in 16 of their past 21 games overall, while posting an impressive 41-12 record in the past 53 outings at home. Like Carolina, the Caps have had success on Thursdays, going 37-16 in their past 53 on the day. More importantly, they're 81-37 in their past 118 against a team with a losing record. They usually take care of the lesser teams when called upon. They've taken care of the Hurricanes, too, going 6-0 in their past six home meetings with Carolina, and 4-0 in the past four meetings overall. The home team has won eight of the past 11 in this series. The 'over' is 4-0-1 in the past five meetings, too. The teams will also meet in the second end of a home-and-home series on Friday in Raleigh, too.
Friday, January 12
The Blackhawks will host the Jets, and Winnipeg will be looking for revenge after a rare 5-1 loss at MTS Centre back on Dec. 14. The Jets are 16-3-1 in 20 home games this season, and their worst loss came at the hands of the 'Hawks. Chicago entered play on Wednesday winning five of their past six home games, although they're just 9-21 in their past 30 games against Western Conference teams. The Jets have been rolling up the offense lately, going for four or more goals in each of their past three outings, and six of the past seven. Winnipeg is averaging 3.9 goals per game over the past 10 contests, while Chicago has erupted for 28 goals over their past six entering play Wednesday.
The Oilers and Coyotes will do battle in the desert on Friday night with Arizona looking for revenge. Edmonton won 3-2 in overtime against Arizona in the most recent meeting on Nov. 28 as Cam Talbot edged out Scott Wedgewood. The 'Yotes have dropped four in a row against the Oil dating back to a 2-1 win on Nov. 27 in Edmonton. That victory was part of a home-and-home sweep for the Coyotes, so it hasn't been that long since they've had success against the Oilers. Five of the past six meetings in this series have hit the 'under'.
Saturday, January 13
The Islanders and Rangers renew their rivalry at Madison Square Garden in matinee action. New York can focus squarely on hockey, too, as neither of their football teams came close to qualifying for the NFL postseason. The Rangers dropped a 4-3 decision in a shootout back on Oct. 19 at home against the Islanders, and they have dropped four in a row against their Gotham rivals dating back to a 5-3 win by the Blueshirts in the regular season opener on Oct. 13, 2016. These games have been high scoring lately, too, with the 'over' going 5-1-1 in the past seven meetings.
It's always a good time when the Ducks and Kings renew their Southern California rivalry. The first two battles this season have been amazing, with L.A. winning 2-1 in a shootout on Nov. 25 at Staples Center, and 4-3 in overtime at Honda Center back on Nov. 7. Five of the past six in this series, and seven of the past nine meetings, have resulted in one-goal games. We rarely see a blowout when these teams sharpen the skates and square off with one another. L.A. hasn't won at home in regulation since Dec. 5, a five-game span which has seen them go 3-1-1, with all three victories and one loss coming in overtime.
