Daily Picks: Kings at Lightning with reign at risk
The Los Angeles Kings need to start winning games. (USATSI)
Welcome to the NHL Daily Picks where hockey writers Adam Gretz and Chris Peters make their picks for select games every day.
With Pekka Rinne back in the Nashville lineup, this appeared to be a matchup of two of the best goalies in the world as recently as a couple of days ago. But with New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist sidelined for the next three weeks (and perhaps more) we’re going to have to settle for Rinne vs. Cam Talbot. The good news for the Rangers is that Talbot has probably been one of the best (if not the best) backup goalies in the league this season and is more than capable of filling in on a short-term basis. The Predators are looking to rebound from a tough loss at home to the Ducks on Thursday and are looking to keep pace in the race for the top spot in the west. It could also be a potential Stanley Cup Final preview based on the way the two teams have played this season. Pick: Predators 4, Rangers 3 (shootout)
This is a big night for the Kings, and they really need to start gaining some ground in the Western Conference playoff race. They open the night five points out of a playoff spot and not only have a tough game on the road in Tampa (the Kings are one of the worst road teams in the league this season), but several of the teams they are competing with for a playoff spot in action, including two teams (Colorado and Minnesota) that are playing each other. Dallas gets to play the worst team in the league (Buffalo) while Vancouver gets to play a Pittsburgh team that is expected to start its backup goalie. Needless to say, the Kings need to start getting some wins. Now. Will it start Saturday? Pick: Lightning 4, Kings 2
Sometimes two bad teams playing can be more entertaining than two good teams playing, and this game certainly has that potential. The Maple Leafs are on a 3-17-1 run that includes a franchise-record 11-game losing streak, and the Oilers have been one of the worst teams in the league since the start of the season. Toronto is making an impressive late-season run to improve its odds of getting Conor McDavid and this is one of those games where it probably pays to lose. The NHL’s great tank battles are on. Pick: Oilers 3, Maple Leafs 2
The classic “four-point game” in the standings as the Avalanche and Wild enter Saturday on the outside of the Western Conference playoff picture, separated by just a single point. The winner not only gains two points on the teams they’re chasing, but also takes points away from another contender for the final playoff spot. Minnesota has been a different team since Devan Dubnyk came in and took over the goaltending duties. Pick: Wild 4, Avalanche 1
The rest of Saturday’s schedule
New York Islanders at Boston Bruins, 7 p.m. ET
New Jersey Devils at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m. ET
Columbus Blue Jackets at Ottawa Senators, 7 p.m. ET
Dallas Stars at Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m. ET
Detroit Red Wings at Arizona Coyotes, 8 p.m. ET
Pittsburgh Penguins at Vancouver Canucks, 10 p.m. ET
Carolina Hurricanes at San Jose Sharks, 10:30 p.m. ET
Three stars
1. Gustav Nyquist, Detroit Red Wings: Since the start of January, Nyquist has 14 points in 13 games for the Red Wings, has failed to record a point in just three of those games, and has four multiple-point games. He is starting to take over as Detroit’s most dangerous offensive player, if he already hasn’t done so entirely.
2. Tyler Seguin, Dallas Stars: Seguin hasn’t scored a goal in six games, but Saturday he gets the sitting duck that is the Buffalo Sabres. Look for that drought to end.
3. Tyler Johnson, Tampa Bay Lightning: His point production has slowed down a bit in recent weeks, but he has already topped last season’s point total in 30 fewer games. Johnson is coming off a two-goal game against Dallas earlier in the week.
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