In the Crease - Week 3
By Joe Williams
VegasInsider.com
Over Easy
The Florida Panthers have hit the 'over' in each of their five games so far this season. Defense and goaltending haven't been a strong suit of the Panthers to date, allowing 4.0 goals per game through their five outings. The offense has done its past, except for in a 5-1 loss at Philadelphia on Tuesday. Florida is averaging 3.6 GPG in their five appearances. Next up for the Panthers is a home date with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday night in Sunrise. Sidney Crosby and company have scored 25 goals through seven games, while yielding 29 goals, so it could be a track meet and another easy over result.
Hab Nots
The Montreal Canadiens have stumbled out of the chute with a 1-4-1 mark, posting just 10 goals on offense while yielding 22. Carey Price is struggling mightily in the crease, and the defense isn't doing him any favors, either. The over has hit in three of the past five for Montreal, but that's no thanks to their offense. The Habs are allowing 3.7 goals per game, and that number got worse in a 5-2 loss in San Jose on Tuesday night. The road trip through the Golden State continues in Los Angeles on Wednesday. The Habs are 1-5 over their past six road games dating back to last season, and they're 0-5 in their past five against winning teams.
Looking Ahead
Wednesday, October 18
Two Original Six clubs hook up in Hogtown, and lately this series has been all Toronto. The Red Wings have dropped four in a row in this series, while the under is 12-3-1 in the past 16 meetings, and 6-1 in the past seven at Air Canada Centre. Toronto is off to a hot start, and they're scoring plenty ofgoals, too. The over has hit in five of their six games, although the under hit in Tuesday's 2-0 win at Washington. While the over is also 5-1 in their past six home games, the under has connected in 20 of their past 63 when playing the second end of a back-to-back. The Red Wings have won just eight of their past 28 against Eastern Conference foes while going 10-28 in their past 38 against Atlantic Division opponents.
The Blackhawks haven't been very strong on the road dating back to last season, tasting victory just once in the past seven away from home. They're also just 1-8 over their past nine against Western Conference foes, while going 1-6 in the past seven inside the Central Division. St. Louis looks to take advantage, as they're 10-4 in their past 14 home games dating back to last season while cashing in 19 of the past 28 against Western Conference teams. Total bettors might like the over with these two rivals skating together. The over is 6-1-4 in the past 11 meetings, while going 7-3-6 in the past 16 battles in St. Louis.
Thursday, October 19
The Islanders and Rangers renew their heated rivalry at Madison Square Garden on Thursday. Lately the Isles have dominated this series, and that could continue with the Rangers struggling so. The Islanders have some seven of the previous eight meetings, while going 5-1 in their past six skates at MSG. The over is 4-1-1 in the past six meetings. If the over comes through it would be directly opposite to what has been happening for both teams so far. The under is 4-0 in the past four for the Isles, and 4-0 in their past four on the road. The under is 4-1 in the past five for the Rangers, while going 7-3-2 in their past 12 home games dating back to last season.
Big things were expected from the Stars this season, but they have been mediocre at best. The Coyotes have been even worse, including a home-and-home loss to expansion Vegas. If the Stars are going to take that next step, they need to learn how to win on the road. They're just 9-25 over their past 34 road games, and they have followed up their past 35 victories with just eight wins and 27 losses. The 'Yotes have dropped four in a row on home ice, and they have won just 17 of their past 60 against Western Conferences clubs.
Friday, October 20
The Red Wings host the Capitals at Little Caesar's Arena. The Wings won on their new home ice against Minnesota on Oct. 5 in their regular season opener, but they lost 3-2 on Monday night. It Jimmy Howard's first setback of the season in four starts. The Capitals are expected to be very angry after getting blanked 2-0 by the Leafs on home ice Tuesday, following an 8-2 thrashing in Philadelphia last Friday. Over the past four games the Caps have been outscored 19-12. The 'over' has connected in each of Washington's four road games this season.
The Wild head to MTS Centre as they try to shoot down the Jets. These clubs hooked up for four high-scoring battles in five meetings last season, with the Wild winning two of the three meetings in Winnipeg. The Wild outscored the Jets 14-12 in the three meetings, so you can expect some fire wagon hockey on Friday. The 'over' has hit in each of Minnesota's four games to date, as they have averaged 3.8 GPG while allowing 4.0 GP. Their only victory is a 5-2 win in Chicago on Oct. 12. Look for more fireworks on Friday night.
Saturday, October 21
The Sabres and Bruins renew acquaintances in Beantown on Saturday night, as both teams look for a little more consistency. Buffalo showed some signs of life in Vegas, fighting back out of a 4-1 hole to force overtime, before losing in the extra session. Still, it could give them some confidence going forward after a 1-4-2 start. The Bruins have yet to win consecutive games this season, splitting a pair of games at home. Boston swept the season series in 2016-17, winning all four games by a combined score of 13-4.
The Penguins and Lightning get together for the second time this season. The Pens are looking to avenge a 5-4 loss in Tampa on Oct. 12, one of five overs in seven tries for the Lightning this season. The over is also 5-2 in Pittsburgh's seven games so far, and their offense appears to be on track yet again. The Penguins are averaging 4.0 GPG over their past five outings, and they have yielded 4.0 GPG over the past three. As such, Vegas has been installing the rare regular-season total line of six on four of their past five outings.