In the Crease - Week 13
By Joe Williams
VegasInsider.com
Raking It In On Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have been a friend to bettors at the window lately. The Leafs have rattled off five consecutive games, including two straight in overtime and another in a shootout, and they have won four straight as an underdog (+464 during the span). In addition, total bettors have been pleased with their constant 'under' results, hitting in 12 of the past 14 games overall. The 'under' is 6-1 in Toronto's past seven games on the road, which is where they are heading Tuesday in Washington and Friday in New Jersey. In fact, four of Toronto's next five games are away from the center of the hockey universe.
Coyote Ugly
The Arizona Coyotes have dropped seven consecutive games heading into the new year, and they have been outscored 28-13 during the unimpressive span. The Coyotes are in such a tailspin that they haven't been favored since Nov. 23, a span of 19 straight games. In fact, the Coyotes have been favored just three times all season, and they haven't won in such position since their opening game overtime victory against Philadelphia back on Oct. 15 when they were a -110 favorite, highest of the season.
Looking Ahead
Tuesday, Jan. 3
The Blue Jackets put their 15-game winning streak on the line against the visiting Oilers. Columbus won 3-1 in northern Alberta against the Oilers bback on Dec. 13, their seventh win of the streak, and they are a perfect 4-0 in the past four meetings at Nationwide Arena against Edmonton. The Oilers have won just once in the past six meetings overall, with the home team cashing in 22 of the past 30 meetings overall. The 'over' has connected in 20 of the past 26 in this series, with the 'over' going a perfect 4-0 in the past four battles in C-Bus.
The battle between the Montreal Canadiens and Nashville Predators loses some of its shine, as D P.K. Subban (back) is sidelined for the first meeting against his former team. But D Shea Weber makes his first return to the Music City in his 801st career NHL game, and it should be very emotional for him. Montreal has won just once in the past five overall, and they're 9-24 in their past 33 tries against Western Conference teams. Nashville has dropped five in a row at home, but the Predators are an impressive 9-4 in their past 13 against teams with an overall winning record.
Wednesday, Jan. 4
The Rangers hit the road for the City of Brotherly Love to battle the Flyers. New York coasts in with six victories in the past seven games on the road, and they're 9-3 in their past 12 games overall. However, the Blueshirts have managed just two victories in the past seven against teams with a winning overall record. Philly is 7-1 in their past eight at home, but they have dropped four in a row and they're just 2-6 in their past eight against teams with a winning percentage over .600. The Rangers have won four straight in this series, and the road team is 4-1 in the past five meetings. The 'under' is 1-0-3 in the past four in Philly, and 3-0-3 in the past six meetings overall.
The Coyotes will face the Canucks in Vancouver, and that usually doesn't end well for them. Arizona is just 8-21-1 in their past 30 trips to the Pacific Northwest, and they have dropped each of their past four overall. The 'under' is 2-0-2 in the past four in Vancouver, with the 'under' going 18-7-3 in the past 28 meetings in this series. Arizona has won just 12 times in their past 51 tries on the road, while going 0-4 in the past four against teams with a losing overall record. The Canucks skate in on a four-game win streak, and they're 4-1 in their past five games on home ice.
Thursday, Jan. 5
The Wild look to stay hot against the Sharks in a battle of two premier Western Conference teams. This is the first meeting between the two Western Conference foes this season. Last season the Sharks split a pair of games on home ice with the Wild, winning 4-3 on Jan. 23, 2016, and losing 2-0 on Dec. 12. San Jose won two of the three meetings overall, and four of the past five in the series. Minnesota has won six straight on the road dating back to a shootout loss in Calgary back on Dec. 2, and they have lost in regulation on the road just once in the past 11 away from St. Paul.
The Red Wings pull into Los Angeles Thursday night looking to crown the Kings, but lately they haven't been able to piece much together. Detroit hasn't won back-to-back games in nearly a month. The Kings won 4-1 in their final visit to Joe Louis Arena back on Dec. 15. The Red Wings are just 3-5-2 over their past 10 games. However, they are 4-1-1 in their past six games on the road, while Los Angeles is 6-1-1 in their past eight games at home. Something's gotta give in this meeting between former Western Conference combatants.
Friday, Jan. 6
The Maple Leafs look to stay hot against the ice-cold Devils in Newark Friday night. New Jersey was glad to see the calendar turn to 2017, ringing in the new year with a 3-0 shutout of the visiting Boston Bruins Monday night. It was a rare home win, as the Devils are just 2-4 over their past six at home. These teams met in Newark back on Nov. 23, and New Jersey came away with a 5-4 victory in a shootout. New Jersey hasn't lost in regulation in 10 straight meetings with Toronto (6-0-4), and the Devils have won five straight meetings on home ice.
The Flames meet the Canucks in Vancouver for the third meeting of the season. The Canucks won the first meeting back on Oct. 15, snuffing out the Flames 2-1 in a shootout. Calgary avenged the loss on home ice with a 4-1 win Dec. 23. The Flames have won three of their past four games overall, and they're 6-2-1 in their past nine games on the road. Vancouver has won four in a row heading into the new week, and they have lost in regulation just once in their past eight on home ice (6-1-1).