The race for the top spot in the Eastern Conference might be a foregone conclusion. Yet there are plenty of things to keep an eye on with teams in the playoff chase this week. Let’s take a look, shall we?
1) Washington Capitals
Weekly Recap – The Capitals might have lost Alex Ovechkin for a couple of games last week, but that didn’t stop their offense. Washington poured out 17 goals in four road tilts. The result of that onslaught was a 3-1 record to improve its record away from the Verizon Center to 22-10-6. The ‘over’ cruised to a 3-1 mark as well.
Weekly Outlook – Only two games on the schedule this week and both are winnable. The Caps have won both of their matches with Pittsburgh this season. And against Carolina, the Capitals are 3-2 this season. But they did lose their last trip to Raleigh, a 4-3 decision back on March 18.
2) Pittsburgh Penguins
Weekly Recap – It was a so-so week for the Penguins as they posted a 2-2 record. That is better than what we’ve seen out of them over the past few weeks. Yet you have to believe nothing has changed since they were owned by the Devils in a 5-2 road loss on March 17. The ‘under’ cashed in three of those four tilts. That run means that the ‘under’ is now 8-5 in the Pens’ last 13 games.
Weekly Outlook – Pittsburgh has a light week ahead of them, but nothing is guaranteed as far as wins are concerned. A trip to Washington on March 24 screams “fade” when you look at the season record. Bettors best chance to back the Penguins comes on March 27 against Philadelphia. Pitt is 4-1 against its Keystone State rivals this season.
3) Buffalo Sabres
Weekly Recap – Maybe things are looking up for Buffalo as they’ve won two straight games, covering the oh-so lucrative puck line on both wins against Tampa Bay and Florida. The ‘over’ cashed in two of the Sabres’ three games this past week.
Weekly Outlook – Division battles dominate the Sabres’ schedule this week with home tilts against Montreal and Ottawa. You have to like your chances if playing on Buffalo against the Habs with a 3-0-1 mark this season with Ryan Miller between the pipes. Miller also makes for a big “fade” against the Senators as Buffalo is 0-2-1 against them this season.
4) New Jersey Devils
Weekly Recap – The good people of New Jersey might want to think about putting the Devils’ offense on a milk carton. They’re going to have to as they’ve scored just one goal since killing Pittsburgh 5-2 on March 17. The one plus side for gamblers is that the ‘under’ went 2-0 after that win over the Pens.
Weekly Outlook – We should see the Devils’ offense kick back into gear against a hapless Columbus defense on March 23. Totals gamblers looking to cash in on the ‘under’ should keep it in mind when New Jersey faces off with the Rangers on two nights later.
5) Philadelphia Flyers
Weekly Recap – The Flyers are pretending that last week was just a bad dream, going 1-3 in the four games they played on the road. Philly has lacked defensively over its last four tilts, evidenced by getting outshot in two of its three setbacks. Totals went just 2-2 in those contests.
Weekly Outlook – Not much to hope for things to get better for Philadelphia this week. Atlanta comes to the Wachovia Center after ripping the Flyers a new one in the Dirty South. Then Ottawa has won two of three against Philly. Luckily they get a March 25 game against Minnesota, who has proven to be in a slump right now.
6) Ottawa Senators
Weekly Recap – Bettors have been avoiding the Senators like they’re the plague this past week with a 0-3 mark. Ottawa is now on 1-8 after nine games and nothing it is quickly appearing like they have forgotten how to win at all.
Weekly Outlook – This is a make or break week for the Sens as they have five games on the schedule. Road tests against the Canadiens, Sabres and Capitals make you side against Ottawa for a little while longer. And now you have to wonder if the Senators can slide out of the Eastern Conference playoffs altogether.
7) Montreal Canadiens
Weekly Recap – Montreal played the status quo last week with a 1-1 mark, hitting the ‘under’ in both games. The 3-2 loss to Toronto on March 20 was particularly awful considering they fought back in that game to for overtime.
Weekly Outlook – The good news for the Habs is that they have three of their four games this week at home. What could prove troublesome for Montreal is the March 27 showdown with the Devils, having lost two of three to them this year.
8) Boston Bruins
Weekly Recap – Boston being still in the playoff hunt is a miracle right now considering that they lost two of its three games from last week. If we’re to put a positive spin on the losses, they did come to better teams (Pittsburgh and New Jersey) and beat the team they were supposed to (Carolina).
Weekly Outlook – Luckily for the B’s, they have a chance to put some more distance between themselves and the rest of the playoff challengers. Games against the Rangers, Thrashers and Lightning should provide a quality push to get two-points per game. And a home tilt against the Flames will be true playoff test between teams fighting for positioning in both conferences.
9) Atlanta Thrashers
Weekly Recap – The Thrashers pushed themselves back into the playoff talk after winning three of their four games from last week. Atlanta’s offense was flowing in those wins, scoring a combined 15 goals. That helped the ‘over’ go 3-0 as they head into this week.
Weekly Outlook – A move into the Top 8 is a distinct possibility with games against Boston, Toronto and Carolina this week. That game against the ‘Canes could be tough since they’ve lost the last two meetings by a combined score of 9-2.
10) New York Rangers
Weekly Recap – We can say without a doubt that the Rangers saw their offense come to life last week with seven goals in three games. Their defense, however, decided to take a vacation as they gave up seven combined scores against Montreal and St. Louis. Despite the breakdown on the blue line, the ‘under’ went 2-1 for the Blueshirts.
Weekly Outlook – New York will get awfully familiar with the road this week with three of it four games away from Madison Square Garden. It hasn’t been all that great a ride for the Rangers as they’re only 16-14-3 on the road this season. Plus they’ve gone 4-7 in the last 11 road tests.
11) Carolina Hurricanes
Weekly Recap – The ‘Canes have some serious work to do to get into the playoffs, but wins against Washington and Pittsburgh go a long way towards building confidence. Plus, hitting the ‘over’ in two of those three games last week help show they are getting their scoring touch back as well.
Weekly Outlook – Paul Maurice might have his team flying high again this week two with games against the Caps, Thrashers, Lightning and Sabres. They know they can win against Washington, but they’ve also gone 2-1 against Buffalo. Don’t be shocked if they pull off a winning week once again.
12) Tampa Bay Lightning
Weekly Recap – The Lightning would appreciate it if we could just go and forget all of last week. Can’t say that I blame them after posting an 0-4 mark. They even went 1-2 when listed as pups on the puck line. You can at least say they lost to playoff caliber teams (Pitt, Phoenix, Buffalo and Washington) to make it sound better.
Weekly Outlook – Betting against Tampa Bay might be the cool thing to do this week with three of its four games on the road. The ‘Ning have just 10 road wins this season. Those visiting tilts come against Florida, Boston and Buffalo. Maybe one winnable game for the Lightning in that set…maybe.
13) New York Islanders
Weekly Recap – Last week started off right with crushing wins versus Toronto and at Vancouver for the Islanders. Then the Isles crashed back down to Earth with demoralizing setbacks at Anaheim and LA.
Weekly Outlook – New York will pack light this week with quick roadie against the Rangers on March 24, then head right home to face the Flames. A game against in Columbus on March 27 isn’t a pushover since they have played better at Nationwide Arena.
14) Florida Panthers
Weekly Recap – Defense has been non-existent for the Panthers during this last week, where they went 0-3. Florida has given up 14 goals in those tilts and never looked like they had a chance to be in any of those games…all at home, by the way.
Weekly Outlook – After a quick game at home against the Lightning on March 21, Florida makes a trip to Canada for a three-game trek. It starts in Toronto on March 23, then makes to Montreal two nights later and closes the week in Ottawa.
15) Toronto Maple Leafs
Weekly Recap – Last week started with a lousy 4-1 loss to the Isles for Toronto. It went considerably better as the Maple Leafs got a road win against Ottawa. Then they followed it up with wins in New Jersey and Montreal. Bettors taking the ‘under’ were pleased in those games as it went 4-0.
Weekly Outlook – The Maple Leafs hope for another strong week as it opens against Florida on March 23. They will a team to look at fading on March 25 having to make the trip to Atlanta and coming right back home to host the Rangers two night later.
You can reach Judd Hall via e-mail at judd@vegasinsider.com
