In the Crease - Week 11
By Joe Williams
VegasInsider.com
Road Fire
The Calgary Flames are just 5-6 in their past 11 games at home, and 7-9 in 16 games overall at the Saddledome. However, the Flames have been snuffing out plenty of teams on the road, going 5-1-1 in their past seven games away from home. The past two road wins have come at the expense of the Coyotes, but the Flames also have impressive road wins in Dallas, Boston and Columbus during the stretch. The next two Tuesdays the Flames will be in San Jose and Colorado looking to stay hot on the road.
Imperfect Storm
The Tampa Bay Lightning have really struggled with their captain Steven Stamkos (knee), who is expected to be sidelined at least another three to five months after surgery to repair a right lateral meniscus in his knee. Tampa is 2-7-2 in their past 11 games overall, and 1-5-2 over their past eight games on the road. The Lightning have picked up the pace offensively lately, however, posting 13 goals over their past four games (3.3 GPG), and it's no surprise the 'over' is 4-1 in their past five outings. The 'over' is also 4-1 in Tampa's past five games against Western Conference foes. Remember that Thursday when St. Louis pays a visit to the Ice Palace.
Looking Ahead
Tuesday, Dec. 20
On paper the Islanders-Bruins game appears to be a mismatch, and with the Islanders 0-4-1 in their past five games it appears Vegas is right installing the B's as a -175 favorite. However, the Bruins are a rather marginal 8-8 at home this season, and they have dropped three of the past four on home ice. The Islanders are just 2-11 in their past 13 games on the road, and 6-18 in their past 24 against teams with a winning overall record. New York has struggled in Beantown, too, going 5-12 in the past 17 games at TD North Garden, and 8-22 in the past 30 meetings overall.
The Rangers and Penguins renew acquaintances in the Steel City, and both teams have been hot lately. New York is 4-0 in their past four road games, 6-1 in their past seven overall and 9-4 in their past 13 against a team with a winning record. For Pittsburgh, they are 24-8 in their past 32 divisional games, 39-13 in their past 52 at home and 6-2 in their past eight against teams with a winning percentage over .600. While the road team has won five of the past six in this series, the Rangers are just 2-8 in the past 10 meetings overall. The 'over' is 3-0-1 in the past four meetings, and 4-0-1 in the past five in Pittsburgh.
Wednesday, Dec. 21
There are just two games on the docket Wednesday, but one is a very highly anticipated Eastern Conference tilt. The Capitals invade the City of Brotherly Love looking to drop the Flyers. The Caps haven't had a lot of success in Philly, going 4-9 in their past 13 trips to Philly. The Caps have won six of their past seven overall, while the Flyers are 6-1 in their past seven at home. Something's gotta give. Total bettors might want to hammer the 'under' in this one. The under is 5-1-2 in the past eight meetings in this series, and 5-2 in the past seven in Philadelphia. The 'under' is 15-7-4 in the past 26 for Philly against teams with a winning percentage over .600.
The Coyotes are really struggling, but perhaps facing the Oilers will be the elixir to cure their ills. Arizona has won just once in the past five tries on home ice, and they're 3-9 in their past 12 games overall. The home team has won five of the past seven in this series, and Edmonton has really struggled in recent seasons against Arizona. The Oilers are 3-14 in their past 17 games in Glendale, and 5-26 in the past 31 meetings overall with the Coyotes.
Thursday, Dec. 22
The Carolina Hurricanes and Buffalo Sabres meet for the second time in four days, and the home team looks to avenge a 2-1 shootout loss to the Hurricanes last Saturday. The Sabres are 4-0-1 in their past five meetings with the Hurricanes, and they have won four straight on home ice against Carolina. The 'over' has been the play when these two get together. While the most recent meeting was an 'under' result, the over is 6-1-4 in the past 11 encounters.
The Bruins pay a visit to South Florida, and the road is where the Bruins have been most comfortable this season. They are 4-2-3 in their past nine games on the road, and they have had plenty of success in Sunrise, too. Boston has won each of their past three road games with the Panthers, and they're 5-1 in the past six meetings overall. Three of the past four, and six of the past 10 meetings, have resulted in one-goal outcomes. The Cats are 5-4 in their past nine home games, including a 2-1 loss to the Bruins back on Nov. 1.
Friday, Dec. 23
In the final day before the Christmas holiday break, there are a total of 12 games on the schedule. The Canadiens have likely had this date circled on their calendar for quite some time. Montreal visits Columbus, as they look to avenge a 10-0 rout at the hands of the Blue Jackets back on Nov. 4. It was Montreal's first regulation loss of the season, and it matched the most embarrassing loss in Habs' franchise history. Since that game the Habs are a dismal 3-5-1 in their past nine games on the road. The Jackets have rattled off nine straight victories, and they are averaging 4.0 GPG during the impressive win streak.
Edmonton and San Jose meet for the first time this season. The Sharks are 14-3-4 in the past 21 meetings in this series, and they are 7-1-1 in their past nine home games against the Oil. The series hasn't been as lopsided as it sounds, however, as six of the past 10 battles have resulted in one-goal games, with one game decided in overtime and two requiring a shootout to decide a winner.