In the Crease - Week 16
By Joe Williams
VegasInsider.com
No Thunder
The Tampa Bay Lightning are mired in the basement of the Atlantic Division, and they're last in points in the Eastern Conference with just 47. Chances are they're going to be sellers at the NHL trade deadline. They skate into Tuesday's game in Chicago having lost three straight, while winning just two of their past 10 games overall. The offense has had no thunder lately, averaging just 1.89 goals per game over the past nine outings. As such, the 'under' is 4-1 in their past five games overall. The Lightning have managed just three of their past 16 games on the road, and they're 1-5 in their past six battles against Western Conference clubs.
Wild and Crazy Guys
The Minnesota Wild have been on fire lately, and it's their powerful offense which should be credited. Heading into Tuesday's game at Dallas the Wild have posted two or more goals in 30 consecutive games dating back to Nov. 17. As such, the 'over' has connected in four in a row, and is 6-0-1 in their past seven games overall. The 'over' has also hit in seven in a row at home dating back to Dec. 20. Minnesota is also 10-1 in their past 11 road games, and they're 13-3 in their past 16 games against Western Conference teams. A major reason for their success has been beating teams they're supposed to beat. The Wild are 10-3 in their past 13 against teams with an overall losing record.
Looking Ahead
Tuesday, Jan. 24
The Capitals head to Ottawa for a battle between national capitals. Lately, Washington has been administering capital punishment to the NHL, going 9-0-1 over their past 10, and 19-7 in the past 26 outings. They have been solid on the road, winning five of their past six away from D.C. The Caps have also dominated the Atlantic Divison, going 43-10 in their past 53 games. The Senators have also been hot, winning five of the past seven, although they're not terribly good in 3-in-4 situations. In the third game of a 3-in-4 (three games in four days) situation, they're just 6-13 in the past 19. They're also terrible in the fourth game of a 4-in-6 situation, going just 3-14.
The Sharks have won five in a row, and they're 6-0 in their past six games against teams with a losing overall record. The Sharks skated last night, as Patrick Marleau netted four goals in the third period to help San Jose past Colorado by a 5-2 count. San Jose is 6-0 in their past six games against teams with a losing overall record. The Jets are the complete opposite, going 2-5 in their past seven overall. They're just 4-13 in their past 17 at MTS Centre against teams with a winning road mark, and they're 0-4 in the past four in the third game of a 3-in-4 situation.
Wednesday, Jan. 25
The Flyers head to Madison Square Garden to battle the Rangers looking to get back on track. Philly is just 3-10 in their past 13 games overall, and 1-9 in their past 10 road games. They have struggled against teams with a winning overall mark, too, losing five in a row away from home. The Flyers have struggled against the Rangers over the past few years, too, going 10-25 in the past 35 meetings in this series. They're also just 7-19 in their past 26 trips to MSG.
Edmonton rolls into Anaheim looking to stay hot, as they have won five of their past six games overall. And for what it's worth, the Oilers are 9-0 in their past nine games on Wednesday. However, the young Oilers are still learning to win, and they're a dismal 9-42 in their past 51 road games agaisnt teams with a home winning percentage over .600. The Ducks have won 10 of their past 13 at home, and they're 9-3 in their past 12 overall. However, they're just 1-6 in their past seven against teams with a winning overall record. The Oilers are 6-26 in their past 32 meetings against the Ducks, and they're 1-8 in their past nine trips to Anaheim.
Thursday, Jan. 26
The Penguins roll into Beantown looking to slay the Bruins, who have been scuffling lately. Pittsburgh enters the new week with wins in four in a row, and they have been strong-arming teams. The 'over' is 4-1 in their past five games, and they're averaging 5.4 goals per game during the span, nearly taking care of the total themselves. In their Jan. 20 game, the Penguins-Hurricanes battle had the highest total of the season at 6 1/2, and still went over. The last meeting with the B's on Sunday resulted in a 5-1 Pens win, and another 'over'. In fact, each of the first two meetings with Boston have resulted in overs, averaging 6 1/2 goals per outing.
In the final game before the All-Star break, the Oilers head to San Jose to tangle with the Sharks at 10:30 p.m. ET. The Oilers were topped by the Sharks 5-3 in the most recent meeting in Edmonton on Jan. 10, and the Sharks have won each battle this season. San Jose won 3-2 in overtime in the first meeting in the Bay Area back on Dec. 23. Last season it was Edmonton winning two of the three battles.