Puck Plays - 03/13/2010 -************************************

The Hawks may just well be in the Cup Finals this season while the Flyers are nothing more than a Jeckll and Hyde team that is getting by with smoke and mirrors. Whoever starts in goal for Philly is gonna have to stand on his head to win this game. The East has two great teams in Pittsburgh and Washington while the West is loaded with Cup contenders and the Hawks sit atop the Central Division just behind the Sharks for the lead in the West. The Flyers will be lucky to hold on to a playoff spot in the East and their L-2 games will most likely determine their fate. Both vs. the NYRangers. My guesstimate is Chicago 6-1.

The Sharks went on a feeding frenzy Thursday and chomped their way to an 8-5 comeback win at home vs. the Preds after trailing 2-4 in the third period. Florida lost 0-3 at the Ave’s on Thursday and for at least that game reverted to the scoring woes that have plagued them this season. I’m still not sold on San Jose but think Florida should not be a problem today. Hope I’m correct. My guesstimate is San Jose 5-1.

The Battle of the Barrel Bottom Scrapers tops the marquee at the Leafs Rink tonight. Sad that these two teams have come to this stage but let’s hope they improve. If tonight game is anything like their last games this should be a barn burner for sure. Still pride of profession and potential 2010-11 roster spots to play for. The Leafs are above .500 at home lately and I like them to defend their home ice vs. a Oilers team that has had it’s woes with suitcases in hand. My guesstimate is Toronto 4-3.

My Rules are ALWAYS take Montreal in this matchup. Last time I did not and the Habs burned me. The Habs have been on fire but almost got burned themselves last time out having to win 5-4 in extras vs. Edmonton in their first game back after a successful West Coast swing. The Bruins have a 16-11-06 road record and have won 6 of their L-8 on the road. Montreal has won 4 of the L-5 meetings BUT the B’s won the last meeting in Quebec 3-0 on 02/07/2010. My guesstimate is Montreal 3-2.

The Islanders have actually won 3 of the L-4 games vs. NJ on the Isle however NJ won the last one back on 01/23/2010 by a 4-2 score. There is a chance that Brodeur gets the day off here after playing last night at home vs. the Pens. Since his play has not been so great lately this might not matter at all in this game. New Jersey is just 1-8 in their L-9 road games. I like the New York Islanders to pull the small upset and win today. My guesstimate is N.Y.Islanders 4-3.

The Canes are coming off two well played games vs. Washington and Pittsburgh and split the games that went extras, winning vs. the Pens. The Coyotes have won 4 of the L-6 meeting going back to 02/26/2003 but the Canes have won the last two by scores of 7-2(02/2009) and 5-2(11/2008). Carolina is also on an 8-0 home winning streak. My guesstimate is Carolina 4-3.

The Wings have won 7 of the L-10 meetings and 4 of the L-5 at home in this matchup however The Sabres won the only meeting this season by a 6-2 score on 10/13/2009 at Buffalo. The Sabres only road win vs. Detroit in the L-5 attempts came in a 3-2 shootout win on 10/13/2006. Buffalo has the HOT goalie and that may be enough to squeak by the Wings again. I like the chances. My guesstimate is Buffalo 3-2.

The home team is 16-5 in the L-21 in this matchup which includes 3 games this past January. On 01/12/2010 the Blues won at home 4-1, on 01/18/2010 Columbus won 4-2 at home and on 01/30/2010 the BJ’s picked up a 3-2 OT win at St. Louis. A key trend to me is that the Blues are 8-2-1 in their L-11 Saturday games while Columbus is only 2-10 in their L-12 Saturday tilts. The Blues are also 19-10-2-2 on the road while Columbus is only 11-20-0-4 at home. My guesstimate is St. Louis 3-2.

No hesitation here for me. These two teams are going in different directions and the Sens will get bounced outta the rink tonight and early in the playoffs IF they hold on and make it to the post season party that begins in a few weeks. My guesstimate is Vancouver 4-1.