Written by Scott on Thursday, April 6th, 2023
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Only 3 games last night.
The Rangers beat the Lightning 6-3. Kreider and Motte both scored twice and Zibanejad had 3 helpers.
The Flames beat the Jets 3-1 to move into a tie with them in the 8th and final spot in the Western Conference. The Jets have played one fewer game so they have the advantage.
The final game of the night was the Oilers vs the Ducks and the Oilers won 3-1. Nugent-Hopkins picked up an assist and is the 3rd member of the Oilers with 100 points this season.
14 games for us tonight. With tomorrow being Good Friday there is no games so we will be back on Saturday as we enter the final week of the regular season.
Senators vs Panthers
The Sens have lost their last 3 games and are still hanging on despite being 6 points back with only 4 games remaining.
Although they can still make it mathematically, I think it’s a wrap for them.
The Panthers are back in the playoffs but need to keep their foot on the gas. They are in 7th but the Isles are 8th with the same number of points and the Pens are 9th only 1 point back.
This could go either way but would lean towards a Panthers win with the success they have had at home 22-12-4 vs the Sens road record of 15-20-4.
Leafs vs Bruins
This should be the game of the night.
The Leafs aren’t catching the Bruins, no team is, but they have a long history being two of the original 6 teams. The Leafs will be getting O’Reilly back after missing 14 games.
Either team is moving in the standings after this game.
The Bruins have won the Presidents Trophy and the Leafs are in 2nd in the Atlantic
The Bruins are leading the season series 2-1 but the Leafs have won 4 of the last 6 vs the Bruins.
Capitals vs Canadiens
With both eliminated from the playoffs its hard to try and predict an outcome.
Both teams have lost the last 4 games so it seems as though they are just going to mail it in at this point.
Wild vs Penguins
The Wild are in 3rd in the Central but it’s a 3 way tie with the top 3 teams all at 98 points.
The Penguins are in 9th place only 1 point back of the Isles. Their remaining 3 games after this one is in their favor though with the Wings, Hawks and Jackets left. All winnable games.
Have to pass on this but I’m sure it’s going to be a good game.
Jackets vs Devils
The Devils should win this game but by how many is the question. We would need to take them to win -2.5
After this game they play the Bruins, Sabres and Capitals so taking the easy win before the tougher teams would be wise for them.
The Jackets suck. That’s all there is to say.
Sabres vs Red Wings
Both teams “could” still make the postseason.
The Sabres have 6 games left and are 6 points back. So if they can win 4 or 5 of the remaining games they have a shot as long as the Isles have a rough go.
The Wings can’t take another loss or they are eliminated.
This could be a good game with needed points for both on the line. I’m not touching this one.
Lightning vs Islanders
Th le Lightning aren’t going anywhere. They are already scheduled to play the Leafs in the 1st round.
The Isles are in the final wild card spot and have only a 1 point lead over the Pens.
Tampa has won both games this season but did play last night.
I would normally back the Lightning here but with the Isles needing points and playing for the 2nd night in a row I have no idea how this goes.
Rangers vs Blues
The Rangers are in 3rd in the Metro and it looks as though that will be where they finish unless the Devils play badly over their remaining 4 games. The 5 points will be hard to gain but the Devils do have a tricky schedule coming up. They play the Jackets, Sabres and Leafs.
The Blues are eliminated but have gone 6-2-2 over last 10.
The Rangers have been a good road team going 23-9-7 so I do like them to win here. But with passing the Devils such a lofty goal they may just go into autopilot for the remaining games.
Hurricanes vs Predators
The Canes have clinched a spot and have almost locked up the Metro. They have 109 points in 77 games and the Devils are behind them with 106 in 78. They have won 3 in a row and have the Sabres, Sens, Wings and Panthers up to end the season.
The Preds haven’t yet been eliminated but have tough schedule to end the year with Jets, Flames, Wild and Avalanche left after tonight.
I’m not touching this as it’s the Preds but would lean towards a Canes win.
Flyers vs Stars
The Flyers have dropped 4 straight and are long eliminated.
The Stars are still trying to win the Central. After this game they play the Knights, Wings and then 2 against the Blues. They are in the three-way tie for first place with the Avs and Wild.
I do like the Stars to win here as they are the 7th ranked team in both GPG and GAPG.
Kings vs Knights
The Kings are in 3rd and the Knights 1st in the Pacific.
Only 4 points seperate these teams with only 4 games left. They have played 3 times this season with the Kings winning the last 2 and the Knights the 1st in the season opener.
This should be a fun game to watch and both teams have 6 wins in their last 10 games. But I have no idea who wins this.
Blackhawks vs Canucks
The Hawks come into this game after beating the Flames and sweeping the season series.
The Canucks have dropped their last 4 games. The Canucks have won both games against the Hawks this season.
With both eliminated I have nothing I like here.
Coyotes vs Kraken
The Kraken haven’t yet clinched a spot but with 94 points and the Flames, who are in 9th, 7 points back they have basically clinched.
The Coyotes have lost the last 8 games and are eliminated.
These teams just played on Monday where the Kraken pounded them 8-1 in a feisty game.
The Kraken have been a better road team this season than a home team but I still like them here. They’ve won 2 in a row and are 6-3-1 over last 10. Would need to take them -1.5.
Avalanche vs Sharks
These teams just played on Tuesday and it was a 4-3 overtime win for the Avs.
I’m skipping this as they just played.
