Edmonton enjoyed a great win at Florida yesterday but that huge effort could just take its toll when they back-up by visiting Carolina. The in-form Hurricanes beat the Oilers 3-1 in Canada back in December and go into this return fixture on a four-match winning run.
Florida and Edmonton have both lost their last two matches but we reckon it will be the Oilers who suffer an unhappy hat-trick of defeats. The Panthers romped to a 6-0 triumph when they met last month and are still on course to finish top of the Eastern Conference table.
Nashville will be fired up for hosting their first-ever outdoor game but couldn’t have been handed tougher opponents for Saturday’s NHL Stadium Series. Tampa Bay have shown time and time again they can handle the pressure of big matches in intimidating environments.
Toronto and Minnesota are both looking over their shoulders at the chasing packs in the Atlantic and Central divisions after recent results. The Maple Leafs have suffered a hat-trick of defeats and the Wild have lost three in four, so a close encounter could be on the cards here.
Buffalo have beaten Montreal three times so far this season but will come up against a rejuvenated Canadiens outfit in the series finale. New coach Martin St Louis has totally transformed the Habs and they head into this contest seeking to claim a fourth straight victory.
Minnesota have been a bit hit and miss since the All-Star break but made a statement of intent when winning 7-3 at Edmonton on Sunday. The Wild can hopefully now recover the consistency of an earlier 9-0-1 hot streak and they are taken to prove too strong for Ottawa.
ROC began the men’s Winter Olympics hockey tournament as the team to beat but second favourites Finland have impressed us more in Beijing. After picking up two silvers and four bronze medals at the last nine Games, it could just be time for them to claim that elusive first gold.
Vancouver can close in on Anaheim in the race for Western Conference wild card spots when they meet for the fourth time this season. The Canucks won the last encounter at the end of December and are currently just three points behind the Ducks with a game in hand.
Winnipeg have breathed new life back into their post-season hopes with back-to-back victories but face a stiff test versus Edmonton. The Oilers’ coaching change has done wonders to get their stuttering campaign back on track and they have won four straight under Jay Woodcroft.
Toronto looked a team at the top of their game when seeing off Pittsburgh on Thursday and can claim another notable scalp in St Louis. The Blues blotted their copybook when beaten by lowly Montreal and have just had too many off-days for comfort in the last few weeks.
Buffalo and Ottawa split wins in Canada last month and we feel tonight’s meeting could go either way. The Sabres are coming off a couple of victories over moderate opposition, but the Senators have claimed more notable scalps in a run of five wins from nine outings.
Toronto have lost twice to Pittsburgh this season but may now be playing well enough to turn the tables. The Penguins are on a four-match winning run but have only been workmanlike against weaker opposition, whereas the Maple Leafs are coming off a big victory at Seattle.
Montreal will look to end a dismal run of 10 straight defeats when St Louis arrive in Quebec but the omens do not look good. The Canadiens have lost 16 of their last 17 contests and the trading away of forward Tyler Toffoli to Calgary further weakens their offensive options.
The big two have made it safely through to the Winter Olympics women’s hockey final and Canada are fancied to be too strong for the USA in Beijing. America shaded a shootout triumph when they met in the decider four years ago, but Canada look a cut above this time.