Monday?s best NHL bets
Philadelphia Flyers at Montreal Canadiens (-105, 5.5)
If the goal of a coaching change was to shake up the players, mission accomplished for Paul Holmgren. The Flyers GM fired John Stevens and replaced him with former Hurricanes coach Peter Laviolette.
The news hit Philly captain Mike Richards the hardest. The two-way forward made big strides while under coach Stevens? guidance.
?My heart stopped,? Richards told the Philadelphia Daily News. ?John has given me a lot. He made me realize my potential as a pro and he gave me the opportunity to succeed in this league.?
The players in the locker room knew Stevens was on the hot seat. Richards called Holmgren earlier in the week and assured him that the recent slump (1-7 over the last eight games) could be fixed, but Holmgren wasn?t buying it.
?I think the older guys will understand,? Holmgren said after the switch. ?For the younger guys who have been around John for a number of years, it?s probably going to be a little bit tougher for them.?
Don?t expect an inspired effort from Richards Monday against the Habs.
Pick: Montreal
Washington Capitals at Tampa Bay Lightning (+120, 6)
Alexander Ovechkin was not happy about the two-game suspension he received after a knee-to-knee hit he had with Canes defenseman Tim Gleason. Ovechkin was the one who came away hurt from the blow, but he was ejected for the second time in three games which led to the suspension.
?It is what it is. Nothing I want to say about it,? Ovechkin told the Washington Examiner. ?I?m disappointed.?
His teammates made out well without their star winger. The Caps scored 14 goals and went 2-0 in his absence.
Ovie is eligible to return to the lineup Monday and should be motivated to make a splash.
That?s bad news for the Lightning.
Pick: Washington
Philadelphia Flyers at Montreal Canadiens (-105, 5.5)
If the goal of a coaching change was to shake up the players, mission accomplished for Paul Holmgren. The Flyers GM fired John Stevens and replaced him with former Hurricanes coach Peter Laviolette.
The news hit Philly captain Mike Richards the hardest. The two-way forward made big strides while under coach Stevens? guidance.
?My heart stopped,? Richards told the Philadelphia Daily News. ?John has given me a lot. He made me realize my potential as a pro and he gave me the opportunity to succeed in this league.?
The players in the locker room knew Stevens was on the hot seat. Richards called Holmgren earlier in the week and assured him that the recent slump (1-7 over the last eight games) could be fixed, but Holmgren wasn?t buying it.
?I think the older guys will understand,? Holmgren said after the switch. ?For the younger guys who have been around John for a number of years, it?s probably going to be a little bit tougher for them.?
Don?t expect an inspired effort from Richards Monday against the Habs.
Pick: Montreal
Washington Capitals at Tampa Bay Lightning (+120, 6)
Alexander Ovechkin was not happy about the two-game suspension he received after a knee-to-knee hit he had with Canes defenseman Tim Gleason. Ovechkin was the one who came away hurt from the blow, but he was ejected for the second time in three games which led to the suspension.
?It is what it is. Nothing I want to say about it,? Ovechkin told the Washington Examiner. ?I?m disappointed.?
His teammates made out well without their star winger. The Caps scored 14 goals and went 2-0 in his absence.
Ovie is eligible to return to the lineup Monday and should be motivated to make a splash.
That?s bad news for the Lightning.
Pick: Washington
