NEW YORK RANGERS AT PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
January 24th – 7:00 pm ET – PPG Paints Arena
Despite entering his 15th season in the National Hockey League, Sidney Crosby remains one of the elite players in the league able to take over a game at will. With Evgeni Malkin also still around for the ride, the Penguins remain one of the favorites to win the East Division.
They disappointed in the NHL bubble in the summer and are looking to make amends this season. They will be in tough on Sunday against the Rangers, but should still be able to get the job done against an inferior New York side.
The Rangers are not a bad team and could still get back to the playoffs after being swept in the qualifying round this past summer by the Carolina Hurricanes.
These two teams know each other well and we should be in for a close contest, but take the Penguins to ultimately get the job done at PPG Paints Arena on Sunday evening.
PICKS: Pittsburgh
ODDS: NY Rangers (+112) / PIT Penguins (-136)
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS AT CALGARY FLAMES
January 24th – 4:00 pm ET – Scotiabank Saddledome
The Toronto Maple Leafs have gotten off to a decent start to the campaign as they adjust to life in the newly created North Division. They are among the favorites to win the division featuring all of their Canadian rivals, but will need to prove they can perform on the road. They split the series with the Senators in Ottawa at one game each and will be looking to take four points against the Flames in Calgary.
Sunday afternoon will be the first of two consecutive contests between these two sides and expect it to be an entertaining affair with Auston Matthews and company coming to town. The Maple Leafs have one of the most potent offenses in the league when firing on all cylinders and they could prove to be too much for the Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
Take the visitors to pick up an important two points, with the over also looking like a wise option as well.
PICKS: Toronto
Over
ODDS: TOR Maple Leafs (-104) / CGY Flames (-118)
OTTAWA SENATORS AT VANCOUVER CANUCKS
January 25th – 10:00 pm ET – Rogers Arena
The eyes of the hockey world will be on Rogers Arena in Vancouver on Monday night with no other games in the league scheduled to take place.
Vancouver hasn’t gotten off to the start that they would have liked, but will be looking forward to their date with the Ottawa Senators to try and turn things around. The Senators are undoubtedly the worst team in the all-Canadian division and the Canucks know anything short of two points on Monday evening is a failure.
Ottawa will be taking on the Jets in Winnipeg on Saturday evening before heading further West to play the Canucks and the time change could have a negative effect on an already struggling side. Take the home side to dominate in an early season must-win game. The under also looks like it will be worth laying money on as well in this one.
PICKS: Vancouver
Under
ODDS: OTT Senators (+128) / VAN Canucks (-155)
NEW YORK ISLANDERS AT WASHINGTON CAPITALS
January 26th – 7:00 pm ET – Capital One Arena
The New York Islanders nearly went to the Stanley Cup final last season after playing brilliantly throughout the playoffs inside the NHL bubble. They are looking to show the league that it was no fluke and that they are indeed the real deal this season. Unfortunately for the Islanders though, they’ve been placed in one of the most difficult divisions in the league alongside the likes of the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Islanders head to Washington to play the Capitals for the first time this season. These two rivals are very familiar with each other though with the Islanders eliminating the Capitals from the first round of the playoffs in five games.
Alexander Ovechkin and company will be motivated and fired up to take on the Islanders as they seek vengeance from last year. We should be in for a fun game between two rivals with plenty of goals being scored. Go with the over and the home team.
PICKS: Washington
Over
ODDS: To be updated
PHILADELPHIA FLYERS AT NEW JERSEY DEVILS
January 26th – 7:00 pm ET – Prudential Center
The New Jersey Devils were one of the worst teams in the entire National Hockey League last season, not even earning the invite to the bubble in Toronto during the summer. As a result, they have had plenty of rest over the past few months but will still be in for a daunting task against the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night.
Unlike New Jersey, the Flyers had a stellar campaign last year, reaching the second round of the playoffs where they lost in seven games to the New York Islanders. The heartbreaking loss only made Flyers a more motivated team this season as they look to prove they are legitimate Stanley Cup contenders.
The home team will struggle mightily to keep up with their opponents on Tuesday, considering the Flyers will be focused on picking up two points. Take the visitors to win by multiple goals.
PICKS: Philadelphia (+1.5)
ODDS: To be updated
PHILADELPHIA FLYERS AT BOSTON BRUINS
January 23rd – 7:00 pm ET – TD Garden
The Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers are both expected to be battling it out for top spot in the East Division. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NHL was forced to re-align divisions and as a result, these two sides have been placed alongside each other.
This will be the second time the Flyers and Bruins lock horns in three days as they will also meet on Thursday evening at TD Garden. Both sides will be more familiar with each other after having played Thursday, which means we could see a more intense affair on Saturday.
Do not expect to see too much scoring though, as neither team will want to slip up at the back in what should prove to be a physical contest. Go with the home side to squeak out a narrow victory in the end, with the under also worth laying money on.
PICKS: Boston
Under
ODDS: To be updated
WINNER: Boston
* All odds are via Parx Sportsbook.
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