Sunday's best NHL bets
Pittsburgh Penguins at Florida Panthers (+130, 5.5)
The holiday break was supposed to recharge the weary Panthers heading into 2010. However, the team?s troubles have continued after losing their third straight game to the Montreal Canadiens on New Year?s Eve.
Florida lost 5-4 at home, giving up two third-period goals to spoil a solid outing from goaltender Tomas Vokoun. The Panthers took a costly delay of game penalty early in the final frame, setting up the go-ahead, power-play goal for the Canadiens.
"It was suicide," Florida coach Peter DeBoer told the Palm Beach Post about the careless penalty. "We put ourselves in that position and we paid for it. You can't shoot yourself in the foot like that and win too many games."
The game before that, a 4-1 defeat to the New York Rangers, Florida allowed two goals in the third period including a short-handed goal from Marian Gaborik.
The Panthers rank 20th in power-play efficiency and 22nd in penalty kill.
"In the end, it was them converting their opportunities and we were left empty handed," forward Keith Ballard said after Thursday?s loss. "We had plenty of scoring chances, but they made the most of theirs. That was the difference.?
Pick: Penguins
Philadelphia Flyers at Ottawa Senators (-115, 5.5)
Not only did the Flyers have a four-game winning streak snapped by their 2-1 OT loss to the Boston Bruins in the New Year?s Day?s Winter Classic, but the defeat sucked the air out of the franchise after it took a 1-0 lead into the third period.
"It was a fun week, but it's just disappointing the way it ended," Flyers forward Danny Briere told the Philadelphia Enquirer. "It is what it is."
Both teams played with fire in their skates, knowing the importance of winning the nationally-televised event. The Flyers needed the win to give them momentum heading into the second half of the schedule after falling short of expectations earlier in the year.
Philadelphia?s offense fell flat, scoring just one goal and firing only five shots on goal in the third period. The Flyers had been on fire offensively in recent games, scoring a total of 17 goals during their four-game winning run.
"We had six or seven two-on-one chances and just weren't able to capitalize," defenseman Chris Pronger told reporters.
Philly visits a Senators team that has won three of its last four games, is 15-6-1-2 at home and shutout the Flyers 2-0 when the teams met in Philadelphia last month.
Pick: Ottawa
Pittsburgh Penguins at Florida Panthers (+130, 5.5)
The holiday break was supposed to recharge the weary Panthers heading into 2010. However, the team?s troubles have continued after losing their third straight game to the Montreal Canadiens on New Year?s Eve.
Florida lost 5-4 at home, giving up two third-period goals to spoil a solid outing from goaltender Tomas Vokoun. The Panthers took a costly delay of game penalty early in the final frame, setting up the go-ahead, power-play goal for the Canadiens.
"It was suicide," Florida coach Peter DeBoer told the Palm Beach Post about the careless penalty. "We put ourselves in that position and we paid for it. You can't shoot yourself in the foot like that and win too many games."
The game before that, a 4-1 defeat to the New York Rangers, Florida allowed two goals in the third period including a short-handed goal from Marian Gaborik.
The Panthers rank 20th in power-play efficiency and 22nd in penalty kill.
"In the end, it was them converting their opportunities and we were left empty handed," forward Keith Ballard said after Thursday?s loss. "We had plenty of scoring chances, but they made the most of theirs. That was the difference.?
Pick: Penguins
Philadelphia Flyers at Ottawa Senators (-115, 5.5)
Not only did the Flyers have a four-game winning streak snapped by their 2-1 OT loss to the Boston Bruins in the New Year?s Day?s Winter Classic, but the defeat sucked the air out of the franchise after it took a 1-0 lead into the third period.
"It was a fun week, but it's just disappointing the way it ended," Flyers forward Danny Briere told the Philadelphia Enquirer. "It is what it is."
Both teams played with fire in their skates, knowing the importance of winning the nationally-televised event. The Flyers needed the win to give them momentum heading into the second half of the schedule after falling short of expectations earlier in the year.
Philadelphia?s offense fell flat, scoring just one goal and firing only five shots on goal in the third period. The Flyers had been on fire offensively in recent games, scoring a total of 17 goals during their four-game winning run.
"We had six or seven two-on-one chances and just weren't able to capitalize," defenseman Chris Pronger told reporters.
Philly visits a Senators team that has won three of its last four games, is 15-6-1-2 at home and shutout the Flyers 2-0 when the teams met in Philadelphia last month.
Pick: Ottawa
