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The NHL’s schedule is wonky this week, stacking up Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with games instead of Tuesday and Thursday, so we’re coming at you Wednesday and Friday with our four best bets.
Before we get into it though, let’s give a bit of congratulations to Cale Makar, who, with his fifth goal of the season on Monday evening, scored his 200th regular season point in his 195th career game. That’s the fewest games it’s taken any defenceman to hit 200 points to start a career in NHL history. It's an outstanding achievement for the 24-year-old, who could plausibly retire today and have a decent case for the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Calgary Flames and Pittsburgh Penguins to go to overtime
You couldn’t possibly pick two teams in more similar situations right now than the Pittsburgh Penguins and Calgary Flames. Both teams started red-hot, then went on extended losing streaks. Both teams have started squeaking out a couple of wins lately. Both teams also control 54 per cent of the expected goals at 5-vs-5, and no, I’m not joking.
Even when you account for special teams, the two teams are remarkably close at 54 per cent of expected goals for the Penguins and 52 per cent for the Flames. Both teams have seen what looked to be victories fall apart late in games, and both teams have struggled to get consistent goaltending this season. If ever there was a game destined for OT, it’s this one.
Montreal Canadiens to beat Columbus Blue Jackets
On the second half of a back-to-back with travel on the road, the Canadiens won’t be the favourites in this game, but the Habs absolutely pounded the Blue Jackets in their last matchup not even a week ago. The scoreline went the way of the Blue Jackets after a rare off game from Sam Montembeault and some mental mistakes, combined with a spectacular performance from Joonas Korpisalo, but everything broke perfectly for the struggling Blue Jackets in that one.
With the injuries depleting the Blue Jackets, it’s unlikely that a goaltending swing as severe as the last game will occur again. Then again, tell that to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the bubble against this same team.
Toronto Maple Leafs to beat New Jersey Devils
While it’s shocking to say this after the last few seasons, right now the New Jersey Devils are a better team than the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier are healthy, and a plethora of young Devils players have all hit their stride at once. The result is a ridiculous 13-game winning streak. But all streaks come to an end, right?
The Maple Leafs finally have some stability in goal with Matt Murray back from injury, and he helped the Leafs get to overtime against the Devils in the last game between them.
The Leafs may be shorthanded on defence, but they’re playing better than they have all season, and they have the firepower to get through the Devils if things go the right way for them.
Mark Stone to score anytime vs Ottawa Senators
Riding a three-game goalscoring streak, Mark Stone faces off against his former team as they visit Vegas on their West coast road trip. While Stone and Vegas are killing it, the Senators are struggling mightily under the expectations of taking the next step in their rebuild.
With how this season has gone for the Sens, what would be more expected than a former star player rubbing salt in the wound by scoring a goal on them, especially with how rough their goaltending has been of late? It just makes sense.