BLUE JACKETS (-110) at ISLANDERS (-110), 7 p.m.
Pick: Islanders ML (-110)
The Blue Jackets (38-27-3) are falling from grace and the Islanders (39-22-7) are in a rut as well. New York is letting the Capitals run away with the Metropolitan Division. They now trail Washington by four points after leading the Metro pack for the majority of February. At 4-5-1 in their last 10, the Isles have really slowed down. They took a beating from the Flyers on Saturday at the Coliseum for the second time in a week, so look for them to come out angry and to play a really chippy game against Columbus.
The Jackets are an enigma. They can’t seem to string together a series of wins whatsoever. Their tilt with the Penguins on Saturday was their best outing since Feb. 23 against the Sharks, when they shut out D Brent Burns and company, 4-0. We’ve written ad nauseum about how this team just isn’t clicking and the new additions need to find chemistry with their new linemates. Every time they take the ice it’s a toss-up if they will come out on top or get blown out. For that reason we are leaning towards the New York side of things here.
SENATORS (+225) at FLYERS (-265), 7 p.m.
Pick: Flyers ML (-265)
Pick: Over 6.5
Every time these two clubs get together they seem to smash the Over into tiny bits. The Senators (23-40-6) are the league’s worst team. They’ve held a fire sale at the deadline for two straight seasons, they’ve gone 2-11-1 since mid-February, have lost three in a row and are sporting a -55 goal differential. However, typically against the Flyers, they can fill the back of the net. This will bode well for us.
The Flyers (33-27-8) are still reaching for the postseason. Being five points behind the Blue Jackets/Canadiens, they believe they truly have a shot. They are without F Jakub Voracek for the next two games due to his reverse hit on Islanders F Johnny Boychuk Saturday. This is a big hit to the team but luckily one of the two games he will miss is against the Senators. The Flyers should definitely win this one but more importantly -- and with a better payout -- we think the over is an easy bet.
RANGERS (+150) at OILERS (-170), 9 p.m.
Pick: Oilers ML (-170)
The Oilers (30-31-7) have been playing surprisingly well as of late going 6-2-2 recently. Their last tilt against the Maple Leafs aside, they’ve been filling the back of the net lately. Hopefully the crowd will get to experience a little Connor McDavid/Leon Draisaitl action here, especially if this one gets to overtime. Those two are magical in 3-on-3 hockey.
The Rangers (28-28-12) have been abysmal this season. They showed some life against the Devils in a come-from-behind win at MSG on Saturday. However, that’s not saying much as the Devils continue to ice their AHL roster at the NHL level. A numerically-pleasing 2-3-4 record over their last nine games doesn’t make them seem like the promising choice. We’ll lean towards our Western Canadian pals in this one.