The Carolina Hurricanes finally brought down the hammer on former Head Coach Paul Maurice following a year and a half of futility following their surprising Stanley Cup Final run 2 seasons ago. Maurice was in his 9th season behind the Carolina bench and was one of the longest serving coach?s in the league prior to his firing. Joining Maurice on the unemployment line were assistants Randy Ladouceur, and Don Edwards.
Former Islander Head Coach Peter Laviolette, and assistants Kevin McCarthy, and Jeff Daniels have taken over the helm in Carolina and immediately the Canes have recorded back to back wins under the new coaching staff. Paul Maurice had long lost this team and the Canes were long overdue for a change behind the bench. General Manager Jim Rutherford?s close relationship with Maurice was no doubt the reason that Maurice remained employed long after this team had stopped responding to his methods, and clearly this move came a good year after it should have.
The good news for Carolina is they have some new blood to infuse into their team and the emotional Laviolette will be refreshingly welcomed following several years under the less than inspiring Maurice. The veterans on this team should benefit greatly with the change and Laviolette has vowed to inject some life into the Canes struggling offense by opening up play with a more aggressive puck pursuit style rather than the tired trap employed by this team for so long.
The Dallas Stars have come to life somewhat over the past 2 weeks after suffering through a terrible slump. Their road play has been nothing short of disastrous this season with an absolutely horrendous 4-12-2 record on the road this year. They did register a rare road victory in Tampa Bay on Saturday by edging the Lightning 2-1. Winning back to back on the road might be a stretch however with Carolina playing well right now and riding a 2 game winning streak with their new coach.
Carolina Goaltender Kevin Weekes should be the key to tonight?s game as he continues to play very well in spite of the team around him. Weekes has allowed just 7 goals in his last 5 games and has posted back to back 2-1 wins. With his supporting staff playing some inspired hockey under the new leadership his odds of winning become even more pronounced. Dallas is a -130 favorite on the road tonight despite their atrocious record away from home. Given their win in Tampa Bay the other night I?m still not conviced this team has turned the corner. All sings point to the Canes getting it done here. The positive money is a bonus!<p>
Take Carolina +110
<p>
Both the Penguins and the Montreal Canadians are without their #1 goaltenders tonight as Pittsburgh?s rookie Marc-Andre Fleury has been lent to the Canadian National Junior team for the Junior World Championship tournament, and Montreal?s Jose Theodore suffered a bruised collarbone in Nashville 2 games ago. X-Rays came back negative but he certainly was not his normal self against Toronto on Saturday night. His status for tonight?s game is not yet known but following 6 straight starts Mathieu Garon could well get an opportunity tonight against the struggling Penguins.
The last 5 meetings between these 2 clubs have seen a minimum of 5 goals per game and tonight?s tilt should follow that trend given Montreal, and Pittsburgh?s tendency to go over the total of late. 4 of Montreal?s last 5 have eclipsed 5 goals, and Pittsburgh has gone over the total in 9 of their last 11 games. With Fleury unavailable, and Theodore a question mark tonight, an over is almost a certainty. The 5 line is a bonus as well but should this total spike to 5 1/2, the play remains strong with 2 skating clubs neither of which are playing well defensively. <p>
Play over 5<p>
The Nashville Predators come off a huge 1-0 win over Detroit and have been involved in several low scoring yawners this season given their defensive style mainly attributed to their lack of offensive prowess. Head Coach Barry Trotz has instilled a tight defensive system for this team since the Predators broke into the league to compensate for his teams lack of scoring punch, and with Thomas Vokoun playing well between the pipes the Preds are always a strong under play.
Phoenix has been guilty of spotty play this season and they have struggled mightily against some of the higher scoring teams in the NHL this season giving up far too many goals against the high flying teams. Nashville doesn?t fall into this category by any means and the Predators rely on the low scoring games in order to win. Phoenix and Nashville have yet to meet thus far this season, but 3 unders in their 4 meetings last season should be a good indicator for what to expect tonight. Nashville has posted just 5 overs in 17 home games this season with just 1 game going over the total in 8 as a home favorite. Look for Nashville to play their typical defensive game tonight as they look to shut down the Coyotes snipers and remain patient for their own opportunities. The 5 line here is very favorable for an under play. <p>
Play under 5<p>
Former Islander Head Coach Peter Laviolette, and assistants Kevin McCarthy, and Jeff Daniels have taken over the helm in Carolina and immediately the Canes have recorded back to back wins under the new coaching staff. Paul Maurice had long lost this team and the Canes were long overdue for a change behind the bench. General Manager Jim Rutherford?s close relationship with Maurice was no doubt the reason that Maurice remained employed long after this team had stopped responding to his methods, and clearly this move came a good year after it should have.
The good news for Carolina is they have some new blood to infuse into their team and the emotional Laviolette will be refreshingly welcomed following several years under the less than inspiring Maurice. The veterans on this team should benefit greatly with the change and Laviolette has vowed to inject some life into the Canes struggling offense by opening up play with a more aggressive puck pursuit style rather than the tired trap employed by this team for so long.
The Dallas Stars have come to life somewhat over the past 2 weeks after suffering through a terrible slump. Their road play has been nothing short of disastrous this season with an absolutely horrendous 4-12-2 record on the road this year. They did register a rare road victory in Tampa Bay on Saturday by edging the Lightning 2-1. Winning back to back on the road might be a stretch however with Carolina playing well right now and riding a 2 game winning streak with their new coach.
Carolina Goaltender Kevin Weekes should be the key to tonight?s game as he continues to play very well in spite of the team around him. Weekes has allowed just 7 goals in his last 5 games and has posted back to back 2-1 wins. With his supporting staff playing some inspired hockey under the new leadership his odds of winning become even more pronounced. Dallas is a -130 favorite on the road tonight despite their atrocious record away from home. Given their win in Tampa Bay the other night I?m still not conviced this team has turned the corner. All sings point to the Canes getting it done here. The positive money is a bonus!<p>
Take Carolina +110
<p>
Both the Penguins and the Montreal Canadians are without their #1 goaltenders tonight as Pittsburgh?s rookie Marc-Andre Fleury has been lent to the Canadian National Junior team for the Junior World Championship tournament, and Montreal?s Jose Theodore suffered a bruised collarbone in Nashville 2 games ago. X-Rays came back negative but he certainly was not his normal self against Toronto on Saturday night. His status for tonight?s game is not yet known but following 6 straight starts Mathieu Garon could well get an opportunity tonight against the struggling Penguins.
The last 5 meetings between these 2 clubs have seen a minimum of 5 goals per game and tonight?s tilt should follow that trend given Montreal, and Pittsburgh?s tendency to go over the total of late. 4 of Montreal?s last 5 have eclipsed 5 goals, and Pittsburgh has gone over the total in 9 of their last 11 games. With Fleury unavailable, and Theodore a question mark tonight, an over is almost a certainty. The 5 line is a bonus as well but should this total spike to 5 1/2, the play remains strong with 2 skating clubs neither of which are playing well defensively. <p>
Play over 5<p>
The Nashville Predators come off a huge 1-0 win over Detroit and have been involved in several low scoring yawners this season given their defensive style mainly attributed to their lack of offensive prowess. Head Coach Barry Trotz has instilled a tight defensive system for this team since the Predators broke into the league to compensate for his teams lack of scoring punch, and with Thomas Vokoun playing well between the pipes the Preds are always a strong under play.
Phoenix has been guilty of spotty play this season and they have struggled mightily against some of the higher scoring teams in the NHL this season giving up far too many goals against the high flying teams. Nashville doesn?t fall into this category by any means and the Predators rely on the low scoring games in order to win. Phoenix and Nashville have yet to meet thus far this season, but 3 unders in their 4 meetings last season should be a good indicator for what to expect tonight. Nashville has posted just 5 overs in 17 home games this season with just 1 game going over the total in 8 as a home favorite. Look for Nashville to play their typical defensive game tonight as they look to shut down the Coyotes snipers and remain patient for their own opportunities. The 5 line here is very favorable for an under play. <p>
Play under 5<p>
