Online Sportsbook Overview
Two very different teams, that play two very different styles, and are on two very different streaks meet in what should be a very entertaining hockey game. Last year, the New Jersey Devils got head coach John MacLean fired by December 22 because the team would not score goals. Notice that the term was “would not” as opposed to “could not.” The effort was not there for the Devils and the production was non-existent. Former Devils head coach Jacques Lemaire took over just before Christmas and almost took the Devils to the playoffs. Peter DeBoer is the head coach of the Devils now and the team is not scoring. The Lemaire countdown has already begun inNew Jersey.
The bookie software usually has the Washington Capitals at the top of the Southeast Division every year. This year is no different, but the Capitals are showing signs of inconsistency this season. In the early going of the year, the Capitals looked unstoppable. Alex Ovechkin was scoring goals and Tomas Vokoun was a monster in net. But in the last four or five games, the Capitals have slowed down. The team is showing that it is still unsure as to whether or not Michal Neuvirth should be the starter or not. Vokoun had struggled a little so Neuvirth went in and has gone 1-1 in his last two starts. There just does not seem to be any consistency from the Capitals’ roster, which is something that the price per head Capitals fans have been dealing with for years.
New Jersey Devils
Because it has future hall of fame goaltender Martin Brodeur in net, the Devils have been able to maintain a strong defensive team. But a sportsbook review of the Devils’ season so far shows that the team has given up more goals than it has scored. The Devils have scored only 33 goals in 13 games played this year and given up 36 goals. The defensive numbers forNew Jersey are impressive, but the lack of goal scoring is going to haunt the Devils all season long. It is not out of the question that the Devils will turn to Lemaire yet again if the team cannot turn things around by January. The question this time would be whether or not Lemaire wants to put his cape back on and swoop in to save the day.
Washington Capitals
NHL fans inWashington know that the Capitals will turn this losing streak around and get back to winning very soon. But inconsistent goaltending is rearing its ugly head again, and fans are starting to wonder if maybe head coach Bruce Boureau may not be a little to blame. Rather than staying with Neuvirth last season when times got tough, Boudreau kept cycling Neuvirth and Semyon Varlamov in and out of net. Rather than getting a backup to Neuvirth for this season, the Capitals pick up veteran starting goaltender Tomas Vokun. Then Boudreau platoons those two goalies based on who won last. The Capitals need to show confidence in one of its goalies if it wants to start winning again.
The Bottom Line
The Devils are not producing offensively despite having plenty of scoring punch on the roster. Maybe the team only responds to Lemaire, but that is a poor excuse for professionals to lose hockey games. The Devils offer the Capitals an opportunity for a win, and the Capitals will be more than happy to take it.
Pick: Washington Capitals
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.