There are only three games on Monday in the NHL but all of them have big playoff implications. Al Dannity breaks down tonight’s battles.
Thornton looks to continue impressive run
This is the second game on a 9 game road trip for the Sharks. Things didn’t go their way in the first leg, losing 3-0 at St. Louis. Once again San Jose will look to Joe Thornton for inspiration. Thornton has been in fine form lately, with 2 goals and 4 assists in his last 5 games. They face a curiously unbalanced Washington team tonight.
Most teams perform better at home than on the road but few ever show quite the disparity the Caps have displayed this season. The Capitals have gone 19-7-2 on home ice compared to a miserable 9-15-3 on the road. With home advantage tonight, the Capitals will at least be comfortable with their surroundings. Look for Alexander Semin to once again feature prominently, he has 3 goals and 3 assists in his last 5 games for the Caps.
Are the Habs playoff contenders?
There’s a question I didn’t expect to still be asking. Montreal went to Toronto on Saturday night and flat-out stomped the Maple Leafs. Now, still 7 points back from #8 placed Toronto, they have a shot at a late-season charge for the playoffs. The Habs’ window is tiny but they are doing everything they can to squeeze through. Having won 4 in a row, they now host last placed Carolina. The Canadiens won both previous meetings this season. Montreal should not take the Hurricanes lightly, as it’s been far from a dream season for the #11 placed Habs.
Coyotes ride the hot hand
The wild race for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference currently favors Phoenix. That’s thanks in large part to a 5 game winning streak for the Coyotes who travel to Vancouver tonight. The Canucks won 5-0 when these teams met in Phoenix but the Coyotes took a pair of road wins at Vancouver last season. NHL betting fans have been impressed with the return to form of Roberto Luongo. The much-maligned Vancouver goalie has gone 4-0-2 with a 2.35 goals against average since January 21. With league leaders Detroit squarely in their sights, the Canucks will need Luongo to maintain his improved form tonight. The Coyotes have a habit of scoring early and will surely try to pressure Luongo in the opening minutes. If the Canucks can withold the early onslaught, they should have enough to end Phoenix’s winning streak.
Follow Sports Interaction on Twitter.
Related posts:
- Hockey Betting Action in Toronto, Montreal Tonight
- Caution Advised when Betting the Canucks
- NHL: Canucks and Bruins Await Destiny in Game 7
- Northwest Division Top Two, Vancouver Canucks vs. Minnesota Wild
- NHL: Canadiens, Blackhawks, and Caps in Action on Friday
