The betting on NHL games is picking up some steam as the NFL betting starts to wind down to the playoffs. Teams are fighting for spots in the NHL standings, and all of the NHL scores posted are important at this point of the season. Some teams are trying desperately to put a winning streak together while others are trying to avoid being out of the playoffs by Christmas. The Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals are each trying to build momentum as they prepare to play in the Winter Classic on January 1, 2011.
Wednesday – Vancouver Canucks @ Detroit Red Wings
The Vancouver Canucks looked like they may be slipping out of contention for first place in the Northwest Division for a while there. But a four-game winning streak, and winning eight out of their last 10 games, has seen the Canucks tied for first with the Colorado Avalanche. The Canucks are hitting on all cylinders as their defense, goaltending and goal scoring have come together to increase their goal differential to +23. Goaltender Roberto Luongo is on a five-game winning streak of his own that he can extend against the Red Wings.
For the Red Wings, second-year goaltender Jimmy Howard is becoming somewhat of a riddle. One week he is the best goalie in hockey, and then the next week he will lose three games in a row. The Red Wings sit on top of the Central Division holding a four-point lead over the second place Nashville Predators, but the Red Wings have only won four of their last 10 games. The Canucks come into Detroit on a roll, and that may mean problems for the Red Wings.
Pick: Vancouver Canucks
Wednesday – Nashville Predators @ Chicago Blackhawks
When the Predators put up a fight in the playoffs, and then did not make any significant changes to their roster, many fans and experts felt that the Predators would be a team to reckon with in the 2010-2011 season. When the Chicago Blackhawks let a good chunk of their Stanley Cup championship team go in the post-season, and Patrick Kane got hurt a week or so ago, people had the feeling that the Blackhawks were ready to hit on hard times.
The Blackhawks have yet another problem in goal. They picked up Marty Turco from the Dallas Stars and are starting to realize why the Stars let Turco go. Turco is inconsistent and can be awful at times. The Predators have won eight of their last 10 games, but they are riding their goaltending. The Predators need to start putting the puck in the net in order to compete long-term in the NHL. The Blackhawks may offer the Predators a chance to get their scoring touch back.
Pick: Nashville Predators
Thursday – Pittsburgh Penguins @ Washington Capitals
The “Winter Classic” preview. The Capitals are still trying to figure out how to win hockey games while the Penguins would like to get back into another extended winning streak. The Caps will play this game physical, and they will probably aim most of their aggression at Pens captain Sidney Crosby.
The big difference between these teams is goaltending. No one is playing well in net for the Capitals while Marc-Andre Fleury has regained his Stanley Cup form for the Pittsburgh Penguins. This could be a very long night for the Capitals and their fans, but it will be an entertaining hockey game.
Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins
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