21/FEB - Friday's NHL

[donly1ace]

Early plays for Friday...

Buffalo -.5 (+105)
The Sabres are coming off a 2-1 OT win against the Habs. Varada's addition in their lineup has added some grit and gives energy to their team. This season, the Sabres have been a streaking team: first 6 games (3-2-1), next 17 games (1-12-3-1), next 7 games (4-2-1), next 7 games (0-6-0-1), next 10 games (7-1-2), next 8 games (0-6-0-2) and last 3 games (2-0-0-1). If you look at those winning streaks, they usually come in spurts of 6 to 10 games. I guess we can qualify them as an "up and down" team. With that in mind you have to guess that they will probably be lifted against that victory vs the Habs and continue their winning ways against an LA team that played last night.

The Kings started an important road trip with a loss. A road trip that should decide if they will remain close to the 8th spot in the West. They pulled Storr at the start of the 3rd period so keep him fresh for tonight's game... and probably to make sure he gets to keep his confidence level in check. To show you desperation for the Kings, Huet, Storr's backup, only played 15:17 minutes in the 3rd period... 4:43 minutes of empty-net hockey for the Flyers before the Flyers finally scored at the 16:55 mark! They certainly need to bounce back to remain in check but I don't believe teh Kings will be able to remain close to that 8th spot after this road trip and perhaps we will get to see interesting trades by the Kings' management...

 

[donly1ace]

Tampa Bay (-120)
The Lightning are within grasps of clinging to that 3rd spot in the East. They had a big come from behind win against the Caps a few days ago which will definitely carry with them for the next few games. With a win against the Canes, they would end up in that spot, which they definitely want. It would avoid them having the possibility of playing the Sens in the playoffs... let's just say they don't win alot against them! The only question mark I have is the play of Khabibulin. He needs to start getting consistency in his game, something he has not done this year. Grahame had a shutout against the Thrashers, basing myself on the last time he did get one, he will possibly be the starter for the Bolts.

The Canes have played much better hockey in their last 6 games going 1-2-2-1 in that span. Both losses have come by 1 goal deficits. They played really tough opponents during that stretch: Ducks, Stars, Flyers, Caps, Leafs and Bruins. It seems that they have learned how to play without Cole and Brind'Amour. They will certainly be a dangerous team to meet for the rest of the season. They are an angry team. A major reason why they have done fairly well in that stretch has been the play of Kevin Weekes. He has been the star of the game in the last 4 the Canes have played. No surprise that this comes after Irbe's demotion to the minors...

In all, these are two teams that are playing well. This will defnitely be a tight, tight game but I expect the Bolts to carry out their mandate and continue performing well all because of that important win against the Caps. The Canes are playing against a hot team and I don't think they have enough ressources to win it in the end.

:violin:

I have to say that after all of this writing, I am a little more concerned about going against the Canes in this one... There is one thing I hate to do when making a play: going against a team that is playing very well. Besides their injuries and their inability to win, they don't have anything bad going for them... :shrug:

 

[donly1ace]

...and their inability to win, they don't have anything bad going for them... :shrug:

I think I just remembered why I like the Tampa Bay play!

 

[donly1ace]

Phoenix +1.5 (-128)
The Coyotes are coming off 4 straight wins and are 2-4-0-1 on 3/4 with a B2B spot in the 2nd and 3rd game. They are healthier as ever, Amonte is producing again, Brad May's energy is back again and Sean Burke is on the verge of returning. Remember the Coyotes of last year? They won down the strech...

The Stars aren't the hottest team of late but always find a way to win. If you look at their last 4 opponents, Canes (OT win), Ducks (loss), Sharks (win) & Flames (tie), you can't be really proud. Their recent play has a lot to do with Turco's injury. Tugnutt did play very well against the Flames but that first game he started for Turco, he did not do the job and the guys in the locker room probably had to start worrying about defense again, which usually hurts their offense. When you focus your energy on something it takes your focus away from somewhere else. And that stat about the Stars covering 80% of the time by 2 goals at home should not be taken into account when Tugnutt is in nets...

Great value for the Coyotes with the half goal or the Moneyline.

 

[donly1ace]

A few plays worth mentioning...

NY Rangers
The Rangers are healthy and are playing much better hockey. They need a big win against a good team to go on a run... and I suspect a winning streak in the horizon...
The Ducks are playing good hockey and everyone is contributing on their team. They shutout the Blue Jackets last game.

San Jose
The Sharks are back from their road trip and are playing the Blue Jackets who are struggling. Both of these teams won't make the playoffs (unless the Sharks get on a 12 game winning streak) but they shoudln't finish below the Jackets.

 

[Gorki]

I like Sabres & desert dogs
LA 0-8 on b2b this year
Phoenix 10-2 revenging home loss

GL!

 

[donly1ace]

Great stats to back up those two plays gorki. Thanks!

 

[trademaster]

U like phx

GOOD LUCK

 

[homerh]

good luck tonite
always look for your post

 

[donly1ace]

Thanks trade and homer!

trade - Phoenix +1.5? Yup! :yup ... For all the reasons mentioned below! I guess we will see tonight!

 

[Chenker]

good luck-

Phoenix also in a 4/6 and 5/7- tired club tonight:shrug:

 

[donly1ace]

Thanks Chenker!

I agree with the tiresome factor but one thing you have to take into consideration is that Brad May, Brian Savage and Tony Amonte have come back from injuries only recently. In my mind, they should still have energy left in the tank. The rest of teh core on still young kids... they can take it!

 

[cooz3]

phoenix playing great hockey right now...getting healthy ...dallas a little banged up...im looking at that play myself


good luck tonight

cooz

 

[Terryray]

good luck cyra1!

good luck cyra1!

covers sez LA 2-9 on 0 days rest. but they are 4-0 on fridays this season, and that's no fluke stat. they are 9-3 on fri last 3 seasons, and 21-10 since '96. (compare that to Boston's woeful friday record, or their terrific Sat one)

LA is 0-6-1 at Buff last 7.

enuf of trends...


you'd think LA would come out blasting after last night's game. Nashville won and is nipping at their heels in the stantdings, Edmonton lost and that give hope.


tho Dallas is more predictable in coming out hard after a lackluster effort. that you can bank on. Dahlen is due back, Matvichuck might be which would help Tuggy---tho he's been 2-1-1 in Turco's absence, with 1.72 gga.


ap writers claim NYR looked poor even when beating MN

"Despite the victory, the Rangers didn't play a strong game. The Wild punished New York's feeble penalty killing unit with two power-play goals, the Rangers played poorly in their own zone and got lucky as the Wild hit several goalposts. "




anyway, thanks for your stuff cyra1 and much luck!

 

[THE WIZZARD]

GOOD LUCK TONIGHT.

WIZZ.

 

[donly1ace]

Thanks cooz, Terryray and Wizzard!

Did not get to watch the Ranger game but I thank you for your bringing up that info Terry! I haven't played them yet and possibly will pass until they have another big win.

 

[Aces High]

gl 2 nite

 

[donly1ace]

Thanks Aces!

 

[kcwolf]

gl! Hope you win them all.

 

[kickserv]

good luck Cyra