The Lightning couldn’t handle the Bruins this afternoon despite four power play opportunities and two more shots than the Bruins. That bring us to 5-1 over the long weekend. Here are two picks for tomorrow, sent out exclusively to our email subscribers. These picks won’t be posted on the website until tomorrow.
(4 UNITS) Colorado Avalanche @ Carolina Hurricanes : Avalanche in Regulation 2.22
The Colorado Avalanche are a perfect 6-0 on the road, and have suffered only two losses this season in sixteen games, both of which were at home.The Avalanche score an average of 3.38 goals per game (4th best in the NHL), and the Hurricanes are struggling to reach 2 goals per game (they are currently at 1.88 G/G- second WORST in the League). The Avalanche manage to allow less than 2 goals per game (1.75 GA/G). The Avs manage to take 13.3 PIM/G but luckily they have the third best penalty kill in the NHL, at 88.5%. The Hurricanes are struggling on the power play: they are converting only 13.2 % of the time (22nd PP%). In all of their last four games, the Avalanche have managed to score four goals in each game. The Hurricanes have managed to score only 6 goals in their last four games (average of only 1.5 goals per game). The Hurricanes are still without Cam Ward and Anton Khudobin although the return of Ward is probable soon. Justin Peters is likely to start for the Canes and has gone 2-5-1 and currently has a 2.51 GAA and a .915 SV%. Either option is good for the Avalanche, as Giguere is a perfect 5-0 and has a 1.00 GAA and a .970 SV%, while Varlamov is 9-2-0 with a 2.00 GAA and a .936 SV%. We have good value here on the Avalanche to win in 60 minutes and we will take it for 4 units.
Anaheim Ducks @ Florida Panthers: Ducks in Regulation 1.96
The 1st place Ducks (15-3-1 : 31 Points) will meet the 28th place Panthers (3-11-4: 10 Points). The Ducks have gone a perfect 8-0 at home, and 7-3-1 away. The Florida Panthers have lost nine straight games and have lost five straight on home ice. The Ducks have won five in a row, outscoring their opponents 22-9 in the same five game span. The Ducks have needed extra time only 3 times this season, against Boston, Phoenix, and Minnesota. The Ducks offense are scoring 3.42 G/G, which is close to what the Panthers are allowing per game, at 3.39 GA/G. The Panthers offense are managing 2.00 G/G and the Ducks defense allows 2.32 GA/G. Both teams have terrible penalty kill numbers, but the Panthers receive 13.9 PIM/G, and the Ducks are more disciplined at 9.9 PIM/G. The Ducks are 76.7% on the penalty kill (27th) and the Panthers are 77.8% (26th). Anaheim is better on the power play, converting 11.8% of the time (26th) and Florida is 9.7% which is 28th in the League. The Florida Panthers have been shut-out three times this season, twice by the St.Louis Blues and once by the LA Kings. The Ducks haven’t been shut-out at all, and have shut-out the New York Rangers by a score of 6-0. The goaltender with the best record for the Ducks is Frederik Andersen, he has a perfect 6-0 record and a low 1.41 GAA and a .952 SV%. Viktor Fasth has been injured but has participated in a full practice on Saturday. Jonas Hiller is the other probable option for Anaheim and has gone 7-2-1 and has a 2.47 GAA and .908 SV%. All three goaltending options for the Panthers aren’t good, as they allow allow 3+ goals against. Thomas has a .900 SV% and Markstrom and Clemmensen share a .877 SV%. In his return against the Rangers on Sunday, Thomas allowed 4 goals on 29 shots for a .862 SV%. Things have not been going well for Florida and they aren’t likely to get better against the League’s best Anaheim Ducks.
