Colorado @ Carolina
This matchup brings together two teams who are heading in opposite directions this year. Carolina has been playing very well lately is on the bubble to make the Eastern Conference playoffs where for Colorado they are at the bottom of the western conference.
Colorado has played well recently versus the southeast winning 7 of their last 8 including a 4-1 victory on Friday against the Washington Capitals. The Avalanche head to head with the Hurricanes have been successful winning 11 of the last 12 meetings as well. The game tonight will be their one and only meeting this year. Although Colorado has played well against Carolina, tonight could be the time for Carolina to turn this trend. Carolina has been doing well lately going 6-4 in their last 10 including the easy victory of Tampa Bay on Friday 4-1. Carolina also won on beat New York Islanders on Thursday by a score of 6-2. The Hurricanes have struggled in the past winning only 3 out of 14 games versus the Northwest division, but like I stated earlier they are playing a team today that could help get them on the winning side of things. Carolina is 11-4 in their last 15 home games and have a home record of 15-13-1 this year. Look for the to be a close game that stays UNDER the total as both teams don?t let too many goals against them.
Carolina gives up an average of 2.85 goals per game and Colorado gives up an average of 3.05 goals. Looking at those numbers would tell you this game could go over, but keep in mind that each team also has low scoring averages. Carolina averages 2.58 goals scored vs. Colorado at 2.63.
Pittsburgh @ Washington
This game should be a good close game with lots of goals. The Penguins haven?t been the most dominant team on the road this year going 13-13-4. They will need to turn it on soon if they hope to make the playoffs. They currently are in 10th in the Eastern Conference and know that goals and road victories will help them possibly get into the 8th and final spot. Pittsburgh did win their last road game beating Philly on Saturday 5-4. Although the Penguins have lost the 2 matchups this year versus the Capitals, they have faired well in Washington winning the last 4 games there. The last time the Penguins lost in Washington was back on March 8th 2006. Head to head matchup with these teams leans in Washington?s favor, they have won 8 of the last 9 meetings.
The Capitals are one of the leagues better teams at home this year going 23-5-1. Over the past 57 homes games Washington has been a strong team as well going 42-15. The Capitals are led by the leagues leader in goal Alex Ovechkin who has 42 goals this season. Ovechkin and team have scored plenty this year being in the top 5 for goals scored. In fact they have seen the OVER in 7 of their last 10 games. The OVER is also 8-3 in the last 11 games vs. Atlantic for Washington. The head to head matchup has gone OVER in 7 of the last 10 games including both games this season. Washington is average 3.27 goals per game versus Pitt of 2.98 goals which are both in the top 10 in the league. I look for the Ovechkin vs. Crosby game to be a great game with high scores as the OVER as also come in on 8 of the last 9 when they met and 13 of last 16.