Matt's Picks (1 Live)
Don't love that red-hot Columbus is in the second of a back-to-back, but its superior goalie is in tonight in Jet Greaves, who is unbeaten in six appearances (one in relief). Not like he played Tuesday at New Jersey. And top-line forward Kirll Marchenko (46 points) is expected to play after missing Tuesday with an illness.
Second of a back-to-back for the Leafs, who remain without top blueliner Morgan Rielly (31 points). That also means backup Anthony Stolarz in net and he's having an awful season with a 3.67 GAA and .876 SV. In two starts since returning from injury, Stolarz lost both and allowed a combined nine goals. Last game for Toronto ahead of the break so the guys. The Oilers are rested, healthy and probably motivated after being embarrassed 7-3 at home on Saturday to snap a three-game winning streak. They won easily in Toronto earlier this season.
Ottawa is playing some good hockey right now but is on the second of a road back-to-back and thus starts journeyman James Reimer in net and he's really the fade reason (sorry a bit late, the Sens waited forever to confirm him). Reimer allowed four goals in a home loss to the Canes on Jan. 24. Carolina has won six of eight and plays its final home game for more than three weeks due to the break. In the New Year, the Canes are 7-0-1 at the Lenovo Center. Brandon Bussi has been lights out everywhere at 21-3-1 with a 2.21 GAA. His 14 wins on home ice are tied for the second-most among NHL goalies.
Very good Detroit absolutely could win in Denver and will be duly motivated after getting smashed in Motown by the Avs 5-0 on Saturday, but it's just so rare to even get Colorado -1 on home ice this dominant season that we have to. Think I've seen more -2s than -1s on the Avalanche, who are often -300 or higher in Denver. Granted, they have lost four of five there but still just 2 regulation home defeats. Do be aware we might see some really crazy results this week ahead of the Olympic break with guys worn down and/or looking forward to Italy.
Fun matchup here as Connor Bedard of Chicago faces Macklin Celebrini of San Jose. The two are friends, B.C., natives and recent No. 1 overall draft picks. They have faced off only once in their NHL careers with Celebrini and the Sharks winning last season; Celbrini had a helper and Bedard was blanked. You know he will want some personal payback and to find the net here against struggling Sharks netminder Yaroslav Askarov (3.65 GAA in past five, 3.43 on season).
The Blues have dropped six of seven and will be selling ahead of the trade deadline. They are eight under .500 away. Star Robert Thomas is on IR and fellow forward Jake Neighbours (22 points) is iffy. Should be Joel Hofer's turn in, net and he has allowed four goals in back-to-back outings. The Predators are 19-6-1 when scoring three or more goals.
Be aware this is outdoors at Raymond James Stadium as part of the NHL's Stadium Series. And seriously it's so unreal cold down here in Florida it might work out well in terms of ice quality, etc.. Just hope no half-frozen iguanas laying comatose at center ice. That's not an urban legend, it's 100% true. We already resuscitated a frog with warm water and I'm not even kidding. The Bolts will get back future Hall of Fame blueliner Victor Hedman from IR, while Boston will be missing two of its top scorers in Elias Lindholm (37 points) and Pavel Zacha (also 37). I went and looked at Bruins TT Under 3.5 but it's crazy high priced. Maybe an add-on.
I'm not going to whine about a push (Flyers), but it's almost comical how I cannot win an OT/shootout game in the NHL. Am I one of those types of people who yells "NOONAN!!!!!" (Caddyshack if don't know) at the TV when I want someone to miss something? Absolutely. Pretty sure it doesn't affect anything. So the next NHL game that I play on here just for giggles that goes to OT, I'm fading myself in that period/SO. Maybe I get the curse off. As for this. The Devils are expected to be without two of their top three scorers in Nico Hischier (41 points) and Jack Hughes (36). And goalie Jake Allen has allowed at least four in three of his past four.
New York again will sit the "Breadman" in leading scorer Artemi Panarin. I may address his trade odds in the daily newsletter (and perhaps on CBS Sports if no one has beaten me to it) during the Olympic break if not dealt by then. The Russian definitely could put a contender over the top. If the Avalanche get him, just shut the league down as it's over. The Blueshirts are free-falling as they start a rebuild, while the Pens are rolling at five wins in a row. I could see Pittsburgh in the Panarin market to try and win one last Cup in the Crosby/Malkin Era.
Tough start time for the West Coast Kings, who are playing game No. 5 of a six-game roadie and the front of a B2B. Flyers top goalie Dan Vladar is back from injury -- he actually returned Thursday in relief and didn't allow a goal in about a period of action. He's 9-3-3 with a 2.43 home GAA. If we get the 9 or the second 3, then obviously we won't lose.
Do I play this if it's not the lone NHL game of the night? Dunno. If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? I believe yes -- hasn't videotape proven that? Pretty sure 18th-century Irish philosopher George Berkeley, who first posited the question, wasn't aware of videotape. Relatively fair price at +1.5 as we do get Hawks No. 1 Spencer Knight in net, and his home splits are better. First road game in nearly two weeks for the Jackets, who are a game under .500 away. Also the front of a B2B.
I had planned to pass on this but for some reason the Sharks are starting struggling Yaroslov Askarov -- buy a W (as in consonant) dude -- even thought he has been raked of late and the team generally platoons. It should be Alex Nedeljkovic's turn and he has won five in a row. So I'm gonna break a rule and not take -1 here. The goalie change feels like a gift.
I know my cohort Jeff Hochman loves this play. I can't say I "love" any hockey play because one dude simply half-drunk in the net can win a game by himself by accident, but this does seem to set up well for the Wings. The Caps are free-falling and at the end of a long trip. And we might see history as Detroit's Patrick Kane -- I hate that the Blackhawks legend is a Red Wing -- is one point from becoming the all-time U.S.-born scorer in the sport. He will pass Reggie "Reg" Dunlop. I sure hope you get that; actually Kane would break a tie with Mike Modano. I'll address this in the newsletter.
Chicago is almost an auto-fade when backup Arvid Soderblom (5-8-2, 3.45 GAA) is in net, and he will be tonight. On the road, he has been even worse at 3-4-1 with a 4.48 GAA. The Pens are without Bryan Rust, which is not ideal, but a questionable Evgeni Malkin has been cleared to play. Arturs Silovs is the team's No. 2 in net but solid this month with a 2.40 GAA.