The main theme of the last week in the National Hockey League has been goals, goals and more goals. 20 games finished with seven goals or more in the last week alone. The Minnesota Wild and Edmonton Oilers played out a thriller on Friday night with the Wild winning out 6-5. Elsewhere we seen exciting match-ups between the New York Rangers and San José Sharks and the Capitals beat the Bruins 3-2 in a top of the table clash in the Eastern Conference.
Edmonton Oilers @ Dallas Stars
Monday 16th December 8:35PM
The Edmonton Oilers excellent start to the season has come to a shuddering halt in recent weeks. They have dropped back to 4th place in the Pacific Division and four losses in a row does not bode well for Monday night’s game.
The Dallas Stars are formidable opposition too. They have won four out of their last five and are up to fourth in the Central Division. Tyler Seguin has been a key man in the Stars’ recent run. The 27-year-old Canadian has recorded 25 points this season including two assists in his last two outings. His performance will be key to deciding the final outcome here.
Form suggests that a home win is on the cards for Dallas Stars. They can be backed at a decent -120 with CanPlay. The aforementioned Seguin is the favourite to score at +120. Roope Hintz is their leading scorer with 12 on the season and he can be backed at +900 to score first with CanPlay. Connor McDavid has been the key man for the Oilers this season and he is +160 to score anytime.
Buffalo Sabres @ Toronto Maple Leafs
Tuesday 17th December 7PM
Second faces third in this Atlantic Division game on Tuesday night. Both franchises have made their way through 34 games of the 2019/2020 NHL and the Sabres currently hold a three point advantage over their Canadian rivals. However, both teams find themselves some distance behind Stanley Cup favourites Boston Bruins (+800 with CanPlay).
Sabres captain Jack Eichel is the one of the best players in the league at the moment. The 23-year-old is carrying a 16-game point streak into this game on Tuesday night. Eichel has scored 23 goals and assisted 25 in the first 34 games of the season.
The Sabres are 6-4-1 against Atlantic Division and they will be expected to pick up a seventh win against their divisional rivals.
Auston Matthews has been the key man up front for the Maple Leafs scoring 19 goals. Recently appointed Maple Leafs Head Coach Sheldon Keefe will be relying on Matthews to keep them in the playoff race.
We’re giving you two predictions for this one. Back Eichel to score anytime with CanPlay but ultimately we think the Maple Leafs can come away with the win on home ice.
Montreal Canadiens @ Calgary Flames
Thursday 19th December 8PM
East meets West in this all-Canadian clash at Scotiabank Saddledome on Thursday night. These sides sit in mid-table in their respective divisions with injuries hampering progress for both this season.
The Flames have made major improvements to their game in the last month though, winning eight out of their last ten. That has seen them rise up the standings in the Pacific Division and they are now only two points behind leaders Arizona Coyotes. Defense, in particular their goaltending, has been the only letdown on an otherwise impressive first third of the season. David Rittich has conceded 74 goals in 27 appearances while backup goalkeeper Cam Talbot has let in 25 in his 9 starts.
That will give hope to Canadiens fans with four of their squad already in double figures on the season. Tomas Tatar, Brendan Gallagher, Shea Weber and Joel Armia will all be confident of getting their name on the scoresheet on Thursday night.
Having said that, we’re backing the Flames to pick up another home win against their cross-country rivals. Back the Calgary Flames with CanPlay.
