The Devils dropped a game they’d like to have back yesterday, falling 5-3 to the Red Wings in Detroit after struggling to cash in on five power play opportunities.   A quick trip home to face the well-rested Islanders follows on Saturday, a team that has struggled to get shots on net and currently ranks dead last in the league in goals scored.   On the flip side, the Isles have been solid defensively, ranking bottom five in shots on net.   Ilya Sorokin has allowed just over a goal on average to go with a 1-1-1 win/loss record, so…

Two sides at opposite ends of the Eastern Conference meet in the Motor City on Friday.   The Devils are playing a high risk, high reward game of hockey to start the season, leading the league in shots and goals scored despite ranking top three in shots against.  New Jersey also sits towards the top of the league in high danger chances that lead to goals, a worrying metric for a Red Wings team that has found it difficult to put the puck in the back of the net.   Through six games, Detroit ranks 26th in the league in…

Only one game is scheduled on Thursday, and it’s the second of a back to back between the Flyers and Capitals.   Washington won the first last night in Philly, and surprisingly, it looks as though Flyers goalie Samuel Errson will back up in net.   After starting Charlie Lindgren, the Caps have confirmed they are starting Logan Thompson for the third time this year.  The fourth-year pro has posted a solid 2-0 win/loss record despite allowing over three goals on average, making the Caps a nice outright bet back on home ice.  Tip: Back the Capitals to Win @…

Give me a piece of the Lightning here at the current $2.30 quote.   This is the second of a back-to-back for Tampa Bay after last night’s blowout against the Leafs in Toronto, but we should be getting Andrei Vasilevskiy back in net after being pulled midway through the second period yesterday.   The Devils are off to a hot start sitting 5-2-1 atop the Metropolitan Division, but this is still a team that sits second in the league in shots against.   Bet Now: Lightning v Devils Columbus Blue Jackets @ Toronto Maple Leafs Tip: Back the Blue Jackets…

Just the one game on tap between two familiar rivals on Tuesday.   The Lightning have opened the season 3-1 and the Leafs 3-2, but surprisingly, Tampa Bay currently sits dead last in the league in shots after a week and a half of play.   Toronto lost 4-1 to the Rangers at home on Sunday, a game that was much closer than the scoreline suggests.   The Leafs had plenty of opportunities but just couldn’t get past the brick wall that was Igor Shesterkin, while in their own net, it sounds like goalie Anthony Stolarz has avoided any kind…

The 1-2 Jackets look a bet here as narrow outsiders against the Sabres on home ice.  Buffalo makes a quick trip across states after visiting the Penguins in Pittsburgh last night, losing 6-5 in a hard-fought overtime thriller.   Columbus, meanwhile, is coming off a narrow loss of their own to defending Cup champs on Wednesday, but on the plus side, they’ve still been one of the toughest teams to create scoring opportunities against, currently sitting 26th in shots against.  Bet Now: Sabres v Jackets New Jersey Devils @ Ottawa Senators Tip: Brady Tkachuk Over 0.5 Assist, Tim Stuzle Anytime…

Only four games on Thursday’s slate, so we’ll just have a couple of plays to keep it simple.   I’m always reluctant to bet on Buffalo, but Tage Thompson’s fast start to the season cannot be ignored.   The  Sabres’ centre has scored two goals and two points through four games, while he’s also proven a handful for the Pens over the last five or so years, scoring seven goals in 18 games.   Against a Pittsburgh side that ranks Top 5 in goals against per-game played, Thomspon to find the back of the net looks a worthwhile play.  Bet…