Written by Scott on Tuesday, January 31st, 2023
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Only one game yesterday.
The Blues were in Winnipeg to play the Jets. I had the Jets to win in regulation and they did 4-2. The Blues were up 2-0 early in the 3rd but Morrissey and Scheifele both scored a couple for the Jets.
The Canucks traded their Captain Bo Horvat to the New York Islanders for winger Anthony Beauvillier, Aatu Raty, and a conditional 2023 first-round pick. The Isles made the first move and it was a big one.
3 games tonight. With it being the 2nd last day before the all-star break it’s tricky to predict the outcomes of these games. And the odds for all the games isn’t helping either.
Capitals vs Blue Jackets
Both teams are having issues.
The Caps have gone 4-6 and the Jackets 3-6-1 over last 10.
The Caps road record is 12-12-3 and the Jackets at home have gone 11-15-1.
I would lean towards the Caps for this game but with them entering the bye week after this who knows how they will play.
If taking Caps it would have to be in regulation and their road record isn’t good enough for me to make that play.
Senators vs Canadiens
Both of these teams are in the bottom of the Atlantic standings with the Sens in 7th and the Habs 8th.
With them being neighbors there is some history between these teams.
The Sens have won the last 4 games against the Canadiens and they just played on Saturday and the Sens won that one with ease 5-0.
With the Sens having success against Montreal I would lean towards them winning but again heading into the break it’s tough to try and predict.
The Sens are favored so we would need to take them in regulation and with a 9-12-2 road record it’s an easy pass for me.
Kings vs Hurricanes
The Kings have gone 6-4 over last 10 and are on the road where they have gone 14-9-4. The Canes have gone 7-1-2, are on a 5 game win streak and at home where they have gone 16-5-2.
I like the Canes chances to win this game but they play tomorrow too. They have won the last 6 against the Kings dating back to 2019.
I am skipping this game but would lean towards a Canes win. If taking the Canes would, like the games above, need to be in regulation.
To WIN moneyline (probably puckline): Ottawa
Lean: to WIN moneyline: Washington
It may be various team’s last game before a break, but I like where Ottawa finds itself in a great situation to climb the standings and be out of the basement and into the legitimate race for a Wild Card position, given the second half of the season starts. Being on the road in Montreal for one game will aid their focus and resolve. They just trashed Montreal, who have a wagonload of players out injured and have been league basement this season regardless. Losing Caufield really hurts their offense.
Caps should also win tonight. Caps should feel the high anxiety of ever taking a night off from here on, as there are at least four teams ready to challenge them for a Wild Card spot and every point will count. They haven’t been playing that well, but they can’t afford to avoid these two points. Just a lean, not sure I’ll risk it. How bad is Columbus? They just beat Edmonton. They’ll beat you if you don’t show up to win. Can Caps be trusted? Generally in previous years, no way.
Freddy Andersen before the injury
October 12 to November 6
8 games 5-3
22 goals against 2.75 GAA
.891 SV %
since coming back in January
January 12 to January 29
6 games 5-0
10 goals against under 2 GAA
.934 SV %
Small sample, but between the Hurricanes dominant advanced metrics, solid defense and that level of goaltending, they’ll continue to be a real problem for teams after the all star break as well. Be interesting to see if Andersen can hold up and stay healthy for them.
I originally thought the Kings could come in and shock them because some of their metrics were sneaky good. And was hoping Raanta would get this game and Anderson the Buffalo game. But so far they’re showing Andersen vs Copley both listed as the likely starters though yet to confirm it. So I’ll have to pass.