NHL Saturday: Flyers should Light the Light in the Daylight
RED WINGS (+170) at FLYERS (-200), 1 p.m.
Pick: Flyers Goal Line (-1.5)
The Flyers (26-24-7) have continued their streak of excellent play in front of G Carter Hart, who continues to shine in his rookie campaign. Five of their last six wins have been by one goal, but we think the offense is going to show up for the Flyers and Hart is going to stand tall for them against a Red Wings team that is just too young without the veteran leadership they once had.
The Red Wings (24-28-7) have a lot of talent -- F Dylan Larkin alone is one of the fastest skaters in the league with silky mitts to match. The Red Wings are still learning and are in the midst of a rebuild. Their playoff chances are absolutely shot where the Flyers think they stand a chance and can continue to turn things around.
FLAMES (+120) at PENGUINS (-140), 1 p.m.
Pick: None
This matinee is the one to watch if you want to see some highly skilled, high-event hockey. The Flames (34-16-7) have been the Pacific Davison’s best team this season and are tied with the Sharks at 75 points. All of their lines have been clicking. D Noah Hanafin and F Elias Lindholm have been spectacular for Calgary since being traded from Carolina in the offseason. Lindholm has blossomed into a high-end winger who contributes on a nightly basis. They have been tough to handle for most teams this season and should give the Penguins their share of trouble.
The Penguins (30-20-7) get F Evgeni Malkin back in the lineup after his one-game suspension and D Justin Schultz is officially off IR so Pittsburgh is healthy once again. This game features two complete teams without any major holes. It’s hard to really pick a side on this one, so we recommend you don’t. Just enjoy watching this one for the sake of loving the game.
OILERS (+170) at ISLANDERS (-200), 7 p.m.
Pick: Islanders To Win (-200)
This should be another rough night for Edmonton as the Isles (34-17-6) just can’t seem to be stopped. Last we saw New York they were silencing the cannons in Columbus and shut out the Blue Jackets, 3-0. The Islanders are getting secondary scoring, goaltending that is absolutely lights out and defense that is standing tall. This team is the total package right now. The Islanders also recently announced that if they make the playoffs this season – and they should -- the first round will be played at the Coliseum, giving fans a lot to be excited about.
Edmonton (24-27-5) is 1-6-2 over its last nine and has few bright spots aside from F Conor McDavid, who has 82 points in 56 games (on pace for a 121-point season).