We’re now three and a half weeks in to the 2019/2020 NHL season and the Conference standings are starting to take shape. Preseason favourites Tampa Bay Lightning have made a less than impressive 5-3-2 start to the year while the Edmonton Oilers have been the real surprise package in the Western Conference. The Alberta natives have started with 8 wins in their opening 11 games to lead the Pacific Division.
We’re back with three picks for this week’s action.
Tampa Bay Lightning @ NY Rangers
Tuesday 29th October, 6:35PM
The Lightning have not performed to expectations in the first few weeks of the season. However, that may be down to the raised performances of their opponents rather than their own poor play.
It seems as if everyone ups their game against Jon Cooper’s side.
It’s true that the likes Steven Stamkos, Victor Hedman and Tyler Johnson have made a decent start to the season but the rest of the roster have been a little sluggish. They can kickstart the season this week with trips to New York and New Jersey before heading to Stockholm for the Global Series.
They face a Rangers team tonight that have performed to expectations. David Quinn’s Rangers sit bottom of the Metropolitan Division along with their New Jersey neighbours. They have just recalled Filip Chytil and Filip Lundgren from their AHL affiliate Hartford Wolf Pack to fill the gaps left by injured duo Mika Zibanejad and Henrik Lundqvist.
Tampa Bay should have way too much for New York tonight. Back them on the puck line betting (-1.5) at +122 with CanPlay.
Winnipeg Jets @ Anaheim Ducks
Tuesday 29th October, 9:05PM
The Jets head south to California in good spirits after picking up a win in their last game, the Heritage Classic, against Calgary. That leaves them in mid-table of the Central Division and they are evenly matched with tonight’s opponents the Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks are sitting fifth in the Pacific Division with a 7-6-0.
The Ducks suffered defeat at the hands of the Las Vegas Golden Knights in their last game, losing 5-2. Neither of these teams are known for their high-scoring performances and it could be a closely fought game in the Honda Center tonight.
Ducks’ goaltender John Gibson has looked shaky in the last few games we’re backing the Jets to just edge it on a close scoreline. Back the Jets to win at +100 or if you are feeling more adventurous you can back the Jets (+1875) to win 3-1 on CanPlay Sports.
Florida Panthers @ Colorado Avalanche
Wednesday 30th October, 9:00PM
Surprise Western Conference leaders Colorado Avalanche are back on home ice to face a Florida Panthers side that were routed by the Canucks earlier in the week. The Sunshine Staters were beaten 7-2 on Monday’s contest with Sam Montembeault enduring a tough day at the office.
They now sit in a respectable fourth place in the Atlantic Division with a 5-3-4 record. Their games are usually high scoring and they have the most porous defense in the whole of the NHL. They have conceded 48 goals in 12 matches. Colorado’s 2013 No.1 draft pick Nathan McKinnon should be licking his lips at the prospect of facing the Panthers on Wednesday night. The Canadian has 15 points to his name this season – including 6 goals.
Back the Avalanche to secure another win at home with CanPlay.
