As the Olympic Torch begins its home stretch into Vancouver, NHL bettors and fans alike know the league’s break is fast approaching. That doesn’t mean we’ll be without some decent games this week. Wednesday’s card has the best teams in the Eastern and Western Conference
San Jose at Columbus – 7:05 p.m. EST
The Sharks continue to do their best impression of the Indianapolis Colts as they rampage the regular season. San Jose is currently six points better than the Blackhawks in the Western Conference. Bettors have enjoyed the Sharks so far on their six-game road trip before the Olympic break, winning the first three tests.
During this current win streak, San Jose has actually been outshot 86-109. While that number sounds impressive, we have to remember that they faced off against the Blues, Predators and Maple Leafs – two of the lesser clubs in the NHL. What could prove problematic for the Sharks is that their penalty killing unit gave up three goals on 10 chances during that stretch. Two of those special teams scores effectively killed lucrative puck line plays for gamblers.
Columbus has pretty much resigned itself as a trade partner after dumping Ken Hitchcock so he could resume his career as a Bob Keeshan impersonator. There is some positives for the Jackets with Claude Noel behind the bench as they’ve won his first two games as head coach. The most immediate change has been on the defensive side of the ice for the Blue Jackets…especially Steve Mason. The Calder Trophy winning netminder has allowed just one goal in his last two starts, both wins. Mason hadn’t won back-to-back starts since the middle of October.
While fans might be happy with Noel running the show, they must remember that the CBJ haven’t really shown anything yet. This is a team that can’t put together a full 60 minutes. Look no further than a .720 winning percentage when leading after two periods of play to rank 28th in the league.
Most sportsbooks have installed San Jose as a $1.45 road “chalk” with a total of 5 ½.
There is a pretty good reason to take the Sharks here since they are the best road team in the NHL with a 20-6-2 mark away from the HP Pavilion.
The recent history for this series has been dominated by the home teams to the tune of an 8-2 record over the last 10 games.
While the Sharks come into this game after playing on Monday, Columbus hasn’t taken to the ice since Feb. 6. The Blue Jackets are 4-1 in home games after taking three days off.
San Jose has gone 10-1 when he’s a road “chalk” since the start of last season.
Washington at Montreal – 7:35 p.m. EST
There is no doubt that the Capitals are a good team. But 2010 has been very, very good for them. Washington extended its franchise-best winning streak to 14 games after taking down the Penguins 5-4 in overtime as a $1.75 home favorite on Super Bowl Sunday. While it was important for the Caps to get Alex Ovechkin to score in that game (hat trick, one assist), it’s the fact they know how to fight back into a game. The Pens jumped out to a 2-0 then a 4-2 lead after the first two periods. Yet, Washington leads the league with a 15-6-2 record in tilts where they trail first.
Montreal is also coming into this contest after playing on Feb. 7. The only difference for the Habs is that they fell to Boston as $1.10 home faves, 3-0. The Canadiens actually outshot the B’s 36-27. However, most of those shots were contested and never really forced Tuukka Rask into making difficult stops.
Most of the betting shops have posted the Caps as $1.65 road favorites with a total of six.
There shouldn’t be much shock over that line since Washington is just three wins shy of Pittsburgh’s record streak of 17 back in the 1992-93 campaign.
The Capitals are no stranger to being road favorites as it has happened 20 times this season. What is surprising is that they are 15-5 in those matches. Don’t look towards them as a puck line wager in this spot since they’re 8-12 in that situation.
Montreal hasn’t been all that good as a home pup, as evidenced by a 6-9 mark in that position this year. The Canadiens have shown to be worth back to lose by less than two goals though by going 13-2 against the puck line. That would be costly in this contest at minus-200 (risk $200 to win $100).
The head-to-head meetings have leaned towards the Red Army with the Capitals going 7-3 in the last 10 games.
You can reach Judd Hall via e-mail at judd@vegasinsider.com
