Our team of writers and handicappers hand out their hockey picks and predictions for Monday, January 19.
Dallas Stars at Tampa Bay Lightning, 7:35PM ET
For the Dallas Stars, winning at the St. Pete Times Forum has been surprisingly easy for more than a dozen years.
Looking for their ninth consecutive victory in Tampa Bay, the Stars begin a two-game swing through Florida on Monday night against the Lightning, who are expected to have top overall draft pick Steven Stamkos rested and ready to go.
It's been nearly 13 years since Dallas has lost to the Lightning in Tampa. The Stars (19-17-7) have taken eight straight there by a combined 24-10 score after a 4-2 loss on Feb. 19, 1996.
Tampa Bay has been held to one goal in three straight and six of the eight losses, going 1-for-35 on the power play over that span.
Dallas also comes in after a big win. Mike Ribeiro had a goal and assist in regulation, and scored the lone shootout goal on Saturday to lift Dallas to a 3-2 win over Los Angeles.
Jere Lehtinen also had a goal and assist and Marty Turco stopped 20 shots in regulation and overtime before denying all three shootout attempts, as Dallas rebounded after a blowing a three-goal lead before losing to Buffalo in a shootout on Thursday.
NBA Free Pick: Dallas – Best Line: -110 Sports Interaction
New Jersey Devils at Nashville Predators, 8:05PM ET
A successful road trip has the New Jersey Devils on the cusp of the Atlantic Division lead.
The Devils can take first place in the division if they conclude their six-game trip with a victory Monday against the struggling Nashville Predators in the first meeting between these teams in more than two years.
The Devils (27-15-3) have won four of the first five games of this trip - their longest of the season. They now have 57 points, one behind the division-leading New York Rangers and tied with Philadelphia for second. Both the Rangers and Flyers are idle Monday, meaning New Jersey can move into first place with a victory.
Playing close to home, the Devils earned their third straight win Saturday, beating the New York Islanders 3-1 at Nassau Coliseum. Zach Parise netted his team-leading 26th goal and assisted on another to give him six points in the his five games. Travis Zajac scored for the third consecutive game for New Jersey, and David Clarkson had the other goal to extend his point streak to four games.
NBA Free Pick: New Jersey – Best Line: -110 Sports Interaction