NYR/Colum: I expect Denis. Coach uses whoever is hot, and Denis did so well at Rangers 14th. NYR said other day Blackburn will start tonight. But NY Post now sez coach is unsure. No doubt because Richter's terrific performance only reason they got a tie monday...if Columbus wins tonight, they will climb above .500 for the first time in while.
Chi/FL: has to be Luongo and Thibault. Teams here rarely use backup goalies, and neither played last few days, and don't play again until 18th...Thibault 10-4-0 vs FL, 2.09 gga, .923 pct. Luongo's gotten better lately. Under 4-2 last 6 meetings, under 8-3 last 11 Chicago road games, under 2-5-1 last 8 FL home games.
Det/Dallas: Has to be Hasek (Legace started last night) and Belfour. Belfour defeated Det earlier in season. Turco got last start against Det (sat), gave up 5 goals, tho some of that due to Dallas playing like old men. Belfour been fine lately, won last two starts. His two starts against Det this season gave up 4 goals in winning effort on road, 3 in OT loss at home.
Buff/Anaheim: Most likely Giguere. Team didn't play last night, and not again until 18th. backup rarely used....Friesen (#2 point leader) and York most probably out tonight...Buffalo paper sez Biron tonight in goal, Essensa will start against LA or Phx on this road swing...Buffalo 5-2-0 at Pond, going back to 1997.
WA/Montreal: Montreal plays Carolina tomorrow. Theodore has had some b/b starts. I would guess him tonight, but ?? Montreal leaves immediately after matchup tonight on 4 game road swing. That will make them a bit distracted....Most probably WA will use Kolzig, backup not used much and team doesn't play again until 18th. Kolzig got cortisone shot to finally calm ankle, then notched up two shutouts. But new big defensive strategy team employing helps there...WA 7-2 ATS and SU last 9 meetings. Under hits 13-6 in Montreal home games. Over hit 3-1-1 in the five meetings of 2001.
Early faves: unders in Chi and WA games
