In the Crease – Week 27

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

7 minute read

Capital Punishment
The Washington Capitals were rude hosts on Tuesday in the nation's capital in the front end of the home-and-home with the Carolina Hurricanes. Now, the two sides will meet at PNC Arena in Raleigh as the Canes look to return the favor and bust out their much-maligned Storm Surge celebration in the process.

The Caps have won 11 of their past 15 games overall, and they're 5-2 in the past seven road outings, too. Inside the division they have posted a 35-16 record across the past 51 contests, and they're 27-11 in the past 38 against the Eastern Conference. In addition, they have posted a 6-1 mark in the second game of a home-and-home situation. The defending champs are ramping up and rounding into form as they get ready for what they hope is another deep postseason run, and it seems like no one is talking about them. Carolina has bounced back from adversity, posting a 4-0 record in the next four games after allowing three or more goals in their previous outing. They're 5-1 in their past six games as a favorite, too, and they're 4-1 in the past five at home. This will be the fourth game in six days, and they're an impressive 10-3 in the past 13 in the fourth game of a 4-in-6 situation. The road team is 5-2 in the past seven meetings, with the Caps 4-0 in their past four trips to Raleigh and 8-2 in the past 10 meetings overall in this series.

 Looking Ahead

Thursday, March 28

Montreal at Columbus: These two clubs are battling for one of the final playoff spots in the Eastern Conference, so this should be a knock-down, drag-out fight resembling a playoff game. The Habs are 4-1 in the past five games, and they're 11-4 in the past 15 in the fourth game of a 4-in-6 situation. However, they have struggled against winning teams, winning just 13 of their past 51 against teams above .500. They're also just 1-4 in the past five on the road. The Jackets have won four in a row, and Sergei Bobrovsky has managed shutouts in three of his past four assignments. Columbus is also 5-2 in the past seven as a favorite, too. The Habs have their work cut out for them, as they have won just once in their past five trips to C-Bus. The home team is 6-2 in the past eight in this series, and the under is 6-1 in the past seven meetings.

N.Y. Islanders at Winnipeg: The Islanders might want to ask for an assignment to the Central Division. They're 8-1 in the past nine battles against Central Division foes, and they're 12-4 in the past 16 games against Western Conference clubs. On the flip side, the Jets have won five of their past seven, and they're an impressive 54-24 in the past 78 as a home favorite. MTS Centre has been on the loudest and toughest buildings to play for visitors. The Jets are pretty happy playing against the Eastern Conference, too, going 32-15 in the past 47 against the East.

Chicago at San Jose: The Blackhawks are skidding close to the end without a playoff spot. They're still only five points out of the playoff spot, but there are just five games remaining. Chicago has won just one of their past five games, and they're 2-8 in the past 10 in the fourth game of a 4-in-6. The Sharkls are also skidding out of control, but at least they've already clinched a spot inthe postseason. while they're 7-1 in the past eight against Central Division teams, they're 0-4 in the past four at home and 0-6 in their past six as a favorite. Chicago is 0-4 in the past four meetings, 0-4 in their past four trips to San Jose and the favorite is 22-6 in the past 28 in this series.

Friday, March 29

Arizona at Colorado: This is going to be a playoff-like atmosphere, too, as these two teams are battling for playoff positions in the Western Conference with very little room for error. Arizona has won nine of their past 12 against Western Conference clubs, but they're just 1-4 in the past five as an underdog. They're also 1-4 in the past five as a road 'dog, too. Colorado topped Vegas in a huge win on Wednesday night, and they're 5-1 in the past six overall. They're also 6-2 in the past eight home outings, while going 4-1 in their past five games as a favorite. For total bettors, the under has cashed in 11 of the past 16 meetings in Denver, and this could be a big-time defensive struggle with so much on the line and teams taking few chances.

Minnesota at Vegas: The Wild also have very little room for error, and they're playing poorly when they need to be much better. They're 1-4 in the past five overall, 1-5 in the past six against winning teams and 0-6 in the past six against Western Conference squads. They might catch a break, as Marc-Andre Fleury has been sidelined, so Malcolm Subban might make yet another start. The Knights are still 6-1 in the past seven at home, and 9-2 in the past 11 as a favorite. Minnesota has had Vegas' number, going 4-1 in the past five meetings with the over 3-1-1 during the span.

Saturday, March 30

Toronto at Ottawa: The Maple Leafs hit the road for the nation's capital and they're looking for a little revenge. The last time they went to Ottawa just two weeks ago the underdog Senators (+255) came away with a 6-2 beatdown of the Leafs. Toronto enters play on Wednesday with just three victories across the past nine outings, going 3-4-2 during the span. Somehow the lowly Sens have outscored the Leafs 15-10 this season while winning two of the three games in regulation.

Washington at Tampa Bay: The Caps and Lightning just met two weeks ago in Tampa, and it was Tampa Bay doubling up the defending champs by a 6-3 count. In D.C., the Lightning came away with a 5-4 overtime victory on March 20. The Lightning have rattled off wins against contenders Boston, Arizona, Washington and Winnipeg in recent weeks at home. Oddly enough, the Lightning have tended to struggle against the lesser teams. The 'over' is 7-1 in the past eight for the Lightning heading into play on Wednesday, too.

Vegas at San Jose: These teams meet for the fourth and final time in the regular season, although they could easily meet again in the postseason like they did last year. San Jose has won just two of the seven regular-season meetings since Vegas came into the league, and they were blasted 7-3 in their only home meetings with the Golden Knights so far this season. In seven all-time meetings in the regular season, Vegas has outscored San Jose 29-17.

Sunday, March 31

Calgary at San Jose: The Sharks have tough games on consecutive nights. San Jose has been careening out of control and the schedule is only getting tougher. It could be a quick exit in the playoffs unless they turn things around in a hurry. If the Sharks are going to get things turned around, facing the Flames might be the right opponent. San Jose has won seven of the past eight outings in this series, outscoring Calgary 34-21. The 'over' has connected in four of the past five in this series.

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