In the Crease - Week 5
By Joe Williams
VegasInsider.com
Tropical Depression
The Carolina Hurricanes have yet to win back-to-back games this season. While goal scoring has not been much of an issue, as they have two or more goals in nine of their first 11, offense has tailed off recently. They're averaging just 1.7 goals per game (GPG) over the past three while the defense/goaltending has allowed at least two goals in each of their 11 outings this season. Eddie Lack has been especially poor when given opportunities to start, posting a 3.80 Goals-Against Average (GAA) in his four appearances thus far. The Hurricanes travel to New Jersey Tuesday for the second half of a home-and-home after getting pounded 4-1 in Raleigh Sunday.
Capital Punishment
The Washington Capitals play host to the San Jose Sharks Tuesday night in D.C., and Alexander Ovechkin and company are looking to extend their winning streak to six games. The Capitals are averaging 3.8 GPG during their current five-game win streak, and they are allowing 2.0 GPG during the span. The Sharks enter 1-4 in their past five games on the road, and 1-4 in their past five against teams with a winning record, while the Caps have won 42 of their past 58 at home. However, if Washington is going to push their win streak to six they will need to turn around some ugly history against San Jose. The Sharks have won 11 of their past 12 visits to the nation's capital, while going 22-4-1 in the past 27 meetings in this series. The road team is victorious in six of the past seven. The 'under' has been hot for San Jose lately, going 8-0-1 in their past nine, and the under is 6-2-1 in the past nine meetings in this series in Washington.
Looking Ahead
Tuesday, Oct. 25
The Red Wings have dropped five in a row, and they're just 7-19 in their past 26 games on the road. They head back to Philadelphia, where they lost a 4-3 decision in overtime Nov. 2. The Red Wings were leading late, but Mark Streit hit an even-strength goal with 1:04 to force overtime, and the Flyers won it in the extra session. The Red Wings are 1-4 in the past five meetings in this series, and a dismal 0-12 in their past 12 in Philly. The home team is a robust 24-3 in the past 27 in this series. ... The Coyotes travel to Denver to tangle with the Avalanche. Arizona has been snowed in over the past eight meetings, winning just twice. The 'under' is 10-3 in the past 13 meetings in Denver. ... Dallas and Winnipeg meet for the third time already this season. The Stars won 3-2 at home Oct. 24 against the Jets, while Winnipeg struck for a 4-1 win Oct. 27 in their building. This one is back at MTS Centre in Manitoba.
Wednesday, Oct. 26
The Blackhawks head down to St. Louis to battle the Blues on a light slate Wednesday. These two sides met on the west side of Chicago on opening night, and the Blues came away victorious, 5-2. Chicago has figured out their offense lately, going for three or more goals in six straight games while limiting the opponent to 1.3 GPG during their current six-game win streak. The Blues have won three straight games at home and the 'under' is 4-1 in their past five games in their own building. ... The Ducks travel to Ohio's capital city looking for revenge after dropping a 4-0 decision at home to the Blue Jackets Oct. 28. Columbus has been stout lately, picking up points in seven of their past eight games (5-1-2). They enter on a three-game win streak at home, including a 10-0 whitewashing of the NHL-leading Canadiens Nov. 4.
Thursday, Oct. 27
The Predators host the Blues in Music City, and this rivalry has been a bit one-sided in recent seasons. Dating back to Feb. 23, 2012, St. Louis is an impressive 15-4 in the past 19 meetings, including 7-3 in their past 10 trips to Nashville. Early on in this series, the 'under' was the play, but lately we have seen a lot of fireworks between the two sides. The 'over' is 7-3-3 in the past 13 meetings. ... The Flames host the Stars in the first meeting between these teams this season. The Flames are 3-1-1 in the past five meetings with the Stars, and each of the past two meetings at the Saddledome have been determined in a shootout, while each of the past three meetings in Calgary have been one-goal games.
Friday, Oct. 28
The Stars continue their road trip in Northern Alberta against the high-flying Oilers. This series has been anything but high-scoring lately, though, with the 'under' going 12-4-2 in the past 18 meetings dating back to Jan. 26, 2011, including 6-1-2 in the past nine meetings in Edmonton. The 'under' has cashed in four straight on home ice for the Oilers in their new building heading into the new week. ... Colorado hosts Winnipeg for the second time this season. The first matchup Oct. 28 resulted in a 1-0 win by the Jets, and two of the past three games for the Avalanche at home have had a 1-0 score (one win, one loss). Five of the past seven meetings in this series have resulted in an 'under' play. Winnipeg enters Friday's game on a three-game win streak in the series, including each of the past two in Denver.