In the Crease - Week 10
By Joe Williams
VegasInsider.com
Pittsburgh Maulers
The Pittsburgh Penguins continue to roll. They hung seven on the visiting Arizona Coyotes in a 7-0 whitewash, posting their 11th consecutive 'over' result while picking up their sixth consecutive victory. Pittsburgh has posted four or more goals in six straight games, three or more goals in eight straight while their defense/goaltenders have given up two or more goals in seven of the past nine. Keep pounding the 'over' in Pittsburgh games until further notice. They host Boston Wednesday, a team which is 3-1-1 on the 'over' in the past five outings. In Friday's game they host Los Angeles, and the Kings have a 5-2-3 'over' mark in the past 10 outings. After that they have a trip to Toronto, a team on a five-game 'under' run.
Dallas Road Woes
The Dallas Stars find themselves near the basement in the Central Division, and a main reason for their tumble down the standings is their inability to win on the road. The Stars have managed a dismal 1-5-1 mark in their past seven away from the Metroplex, while going 6-3-1 in their past 10 games at home. The good news for the Stars is that they have a five-game homestand starting Tuesday against Anaheim, wrapping up Dec. 23 against Los Angeles. They won't be back on the road again until Dec. 27 in Arizona.
Looking Ahead
Tuesday
The Canucks pay a visit to Raleigh to face the red-hot Hurricanes. Carolina has won six in a row at PNC Arena, although they are just 1-5 in their past six at home against teams with a road winning percentage under .400. The Hurricanes are 4-1 in their past five against a team with a losing record, however, while the Canucks are 1-4 in their past five in similar situations. Vancouver is also just 3-11 in their past 14 against Eastern Conference teams, and 1-5 in their past six against Metropolitan Division clubs.
The Sharks head to Toronto to battle the Maple Leafs, and they look to maintain their dominance in this series. San Jose has won six straight at Air Canada Centre, and they're 11-1 in the past 12 meetings overall. Total bettors might hammer the 'under' in this one, too, as the under is 20-8-6 in San Jose's past 34 road outings, 17-6-3 in their past 26 against the Eastern Conference and 27-13-11 in their pat 51 overall. For Toronto, the under has hit in five in a row, and is 4-0 in their past four against Western Conference clubs. The under is also 5-2 in their past seven against teams with a winning overall record.
Wednesday
The Bruins head to the Steel City Wednesday trying to cool off the white-hot Penguins. Pittsburgh has won six in a row, including a 7-0 blasting of the Coyotes Monday. On the same night, Boston scored an impressive 2-1 overtime win in Montreal to snap a two-game mini slide. While they're not 'Pittsburgh hot', the B's are a solid 5-2-2 in their past nine games overall, and they have picked up at least one point in each of their past four outings on the road.
The Avalanche welcome the red-hot Flyers to town, as two teams going in different directions take to the ice. Philly has won nine in a row overall, while Colorado is just 1-5-1 in their past seven games at home. The 'over' is 3-1-1 in Philadelphia's past five games overall, while the 'over' is 3-1 in Colorado's past four games, and 5-2-2 in their past nine outings overall. The Avalanche have allowed three or more goals in seven of their past nine.
Thursday
The Wild and Predators face off in the Music City for the first meeting between the sides this season. Minnesota won three of the four meetings last season, with the 'under' going 3-0-1. However, the 'over' is 5-1 in the past six overall for Nashville, and 5-0 in the past five at home for the Predators. For Minnesota, they enter the new week winners of four in a row, and the 'under' is 3-0-1 in their past four. The 'under' is also 7-3-2 in Minnesota's past 12 games away from the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
The Kings roll into the Motor City for their final skate at Joe Louis Arena. The Kings won't be sad to see this building retired, as they haven't won in Detroit since March 9, 2011, losing seven straight trips to Michigan since. Detroit has been outscored 29-14 during the seven-game losing skid at 'The Joe'. The 'under' is 4-2-1 in the past seven meetings overall between these sides.
Friday
The Sabres welcome the Islanders to town Friday night. Buffalo hasn't been an easy out at home, picking up points in five of their past seven at home. All three meetings last season were decided by one goal, with the road team winning each meeting. In fact, six of the past seven meetings in this series, and eight of the past 10, have been one-goal games, with four decided in a shootout. The 'under' is 4-1 in the past five meetings in this series.
While the Hurricanes have been hot, they'll find out if they are for real or not when the Capitals come calling. They've already proven themselves once against Alex Ovechkin and company, winning 5-1 at PNC Arena in Raleigh back on Nov. 12. The Hurricanes have won three of their past four home games against the Caps. The 'under' is 3-0-2 in Carolina's past five home games overall, while the Caps have very unique 4-4-4 over/under mark on the road in 12 tries this season.