WASHINGTON CAPITALS AT PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
January 17th – 12:00 pm ET – PPG Paints Arena
The Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins have been forever linked as a result of the rivalry caused by Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin. While both players are now in the mid-30s, they remain elite athletes looking to lead their clubs to Stanley Cup glory.
The Capitals added some grit and experience to their lineup this offseason by inking former Boston Bruins’ captain Zdeno Chara to a one-year deal. Pittsburgh on the other hand acquired Kasperi Kapanen from the Toronto Maple Leafs to help provide some depth up top.
This should be an exciting game between two teams that should be competitive all season long, with both sides having a legitimate shot at raising the Stanley Cup this season. Go with the Penguins to win on home ice on Sunday though, with the over also worth laying money on as we could see a plethora of goals scored.
PICKS: Pittsburgh
Over
ODDS: Capitals (-108) / Penguins (-112)
BUFFALO SABRES AT PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
January 18th – 7:30 pm ET – Wells Fargo Center Philadelphia
Luckily for fans in Western New York, the Buffalo Bills of the NFL have been excellent because the Buffalo Sabres sure haven’t been. The Sabres have gone nine consecutive seasons without a playoff appearance and have been forced to start their re-building project multiple times over the past decade.
The Flyers will be looking to make quick work of their opponents on Monday evening when they welcome Buffalo to the Wells Fargo Center. The club finished second in the Metropolitan Division during the regular season and went to the second round of the playoffs inside the NHL bubble in Toronto over the summer.
Philadelphia is a superior team to the Sabres and should have no issues brushing them aside on home ice. Take the Flyers to prevail with a crucial early season victory with the under also coming in.
PICKS: Philadelphia
Under
ODDS: Sabers (+143) /Flyers (-175)
BOSTON BRUINS AT NEW YORK ISLANDERS
January 18th – 5:00 pm ET – Nassau Coliseum
The Boston Bruins enter the new campaign as one of the favorites to win the East division given their experience and skill. They will not have an easy task on their hand on Monday night though when they take on the Islanders at Nassau Coliseum.
New York has proven to be a team on the rise and could be a real contender to also win the division. The Islanders surprised many by going all the way to the Eastern Conference final last season, but those who know the team well weren’t shocked at all. With the likes of Matthew Barzal and Sebastien Aho, they are a force to be reckoned with this season.
We should see an intense affair between these two sides when they lock horns on Monday. Neither team will want to slip up first considering this will be their first game against each other this season, there could be a bit of a feeling out process. Stick to the under in what should be an entertaining game.
PICKS: Under
ODDS: Bruins (-110) / Islanders (-110)
MONTREAL CANADIENS AT EDMONTON OILERS
January 18th – 9:00 pm ET – Rogers Place
The Edmonton Oilers have failed to live up to expectations, but Connor McDavid remains the most exciting and dangerous player on the planet. He can skate circles around most opponents, but whether he gets the support he needs is the big question.
The Montreal Canadiens squeaked into the playoffs last season as a result of the play-in round, but likely would have missed out otherwise thanks to a poor regular season. The Canadiens are hoping they’ll be more competitive this season, but inconsistency remains a big issue.
These two teams will be more familiar with each other on Monday night having already played on Saturday, but that shouldn’t change the outcome much. Go with the Oilers to pick up an important two points on home ice against Montreal on Monday. The over should also be a lock between these two sides.
PICKS: Edmonton
Over
ODDS: Canadiens (-114) / Oilers (-107)
ANAHEIM DUCKS AT VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS
January 16th – 10:00 pm ET – T-Mobile Arena
The Vegas Golden Knights have been an elite club since their joined the National Hockey League as an expansion team. In their very first season they reached the Stanley Cup final, but ultimately fell just short to the Washington Capitals. Expect them to do more damage in 2021 as they look to lift the franchise’s first ever Stanley Cup.
The Anaheim Ducks have not reached the playoffs since the 2017-18 campaign, missing out for two straight seasons. They finished 13th in the Western Conference during the regular season in consecutive years as well and have a lot of work to do if they are to get back to the playoffs this season.
Don’t expect them to do much on Saturday though as T-Mobile Arena continues to prove one of the most difficult to play in. Take the Golden Knights to cruise to a victory over the Ducks with the over also looking like a smart play.
PICKS: Vegas
Over
WINNER: Vegas
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS AT OTTAWA SENATORS
January 16th – 7:00 pm ET – Canadian Tire Centre
The Toronto Maple Leafs are looking to prove they are an elite team when they visit Ottawa on Saturday evening. Despite the plethora of talent and skill, the Maple Leafs have been a massive disappointment over the past couple of seasons failing to get past the opening round of the playoffs. They are coming into the season hungry and desperate to show they are worth the buzz they generate.
Ottawa on the other hand is hoping to just get back to the playoffs as they are still in re-building mode. They are not expected to do a whole lot this season and could be in tough against Toronto on Saturday.
These two teams will square off on Friday evening as well, but take Toronto to win on Saturday as their depth proves to be too much for the Senators to handle. The over may also be worth laying money on as well.
PICKS: Toronto
Over
WINNER: Toronto
* All odds are via Parx Sportsbook.
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