Our team of writers and handicappers hand out their hockey picks and predictions for Friday, February 6.
Montreal Canadiens at Buffalo Sabres, 7:35PM ET
The Buffalo Sabres have tightened up their defense dramatically in the last three games. They're hoping the better play in their own end finally results in a winning streak.
After posting their second shutout in three contests, the Sabres try for their first back-to-back wins in nearly three weeks when they take on the Northeast Division rival Montreal Canadiens at HSBC Arena on Friday.
Buffalo (27-20-5) is battling for its third straight playoff appearance and sits seventh in the Eastern Conference with 59 points, just five behind fourth-place Montreal (29-16-6). The Sabres, though, may have trouble moving up if they can't put together a winning streak.
Since taking three straight Jan. 15-19, Buffalo has alternated losses and wins in its last six games.
The Sabres, though, have been much more consistent defensively in their last three games, with shutouts of Phoenix and Toronto sandwiched around a 3-2 loss to Anaheim. Buffalo gave up 12 goals in the three games prior.
The Sabres are coming off a 5-0 victory over Toronto on Wednesday, as Ryan Miller recorded his fifth shutout and Thomas Vanek notched his fifth career three-goal game in Buffalo's season-high fourth straight home victory. The Sabres gave up a season-low 16 shots on goal.
NHL Free Pick: Buffalo – Best Line: -140 Sports Interaction
New York Rangers at Dallas Stars, 8:35PM ET
The Dallas Stars just dropped their first game in more than two weeks. Facing a New York Rangers club that's struggling to score may be the ideal opponent to get them back on track.
While Dallas looks for its fourth straight home win on Friday night, New York will try to avoid its first four-game slide of 2008-09.
The Stars (24-19-7) had their season-high five-game winning streak snapped on Thursday, 3-2 at Colorado. It was Dallas' first loss since a 4-2 defeat at Tampa Bay on Jan. 19.
"We expect more from this group," said Stars coach Dave Tippett, whose team plays 10 of its next 12 at home. "Let's jump right back on. We've got a tough team coming in tomorrow night. Points are still of the utmost importance. It doesn't matter where you get them."
Lately, Dallas has been getting plenty of points from Steve Ott. The sixth-year center extended his point streak to six games with a first-period goal. Ott has four goals and four assists during this stretch.
NHL Free Pick: OVER – Best Line: O/U 5.5 Sports Interaction
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