The NHL season continues this Wednesday the 21st December with a big slate featuring some quality matchups, we've got you covered for the day with previews and best bets below!
Buffalo Sabres at Florida Panthers (11.30 am AEDT, Fox Sports 5HD)
A struggling Buffalo heads south to take on division rivals the Florida Panthers.
Buffalo are last in the Atlantic Division with a 12-11-7 record, and haven't been very consistent on the road with a 5-5-4 record. Kyle Okposo leads the team with 22 points including nine goals to his name and will need show his composure if they are to cause an upset against Florida.
Florida still can't find the consistency they were able to manage last year but they are not to far off the pace. They are tough to beat at home and seem to steer clear of extra time. The Panthers are fifth in the Atlantic Division and have a home record of 8-5-0 heading into Wednesday's game. The Panthers are coming off a win to bottom feeder Colorado and should gather another win at home against Buffalo. The Panthers are 24th in the league for goals with 2.34 per game but are 7th with shots on goal. They also continue to be solid in penalty kill and have managed to kill off the last 34 of 36 penalties.
One notable fact is Buffalo won the last contest on home ice 3-0, but can't see the same result in Florida this time round.
TiP: Panthers/Panthers- Double Result - $3.60 at Sportsbet
New York Rangers at Pittsburgh Penguins (11.00am AEDT)
The top two teams in the Metropolitan Division meet again in Pittsburgh for one the games of the day. Pittsburgh is 13-2-2 at home this season and are led by Matt Murray who enters this game with a 12-2-1 record. The Pens lead the league in goals category recording an impressive 3.34 goals per game and are averaging 34.8 shots per game. But the last three games haven't come easy for Pittsburgh having scraped across the line in Boston then, losing to the kings in a shutout, and then coming up short in Toronto. Can Crosby and the Penguins bounce back?
Last time round the Rangers were destroyed by the Penguins on home ice 6-1 with Crosby scoring twice. I'm guessing this contest could be a little different as New York are one of the best traveling teams in the league and have won seven of their last ten. Defense is still the key to New York winning ways, with allowing 2.18 goals per game and are third in the league with penalty kill percentage. Their plan will be to stop the likes of Crosby and Malkin who are two of the best forwards in the game.
Get set for an epic battle.
TIP: New York Rangers to Win - $2.22 at Crownbet
Winnipeg Jets at Vancouver Canucks (2.00pm AEDT)
Winnipeg are certainly on the up! They travel to Vancouver having won the last two straight and are led by Nikolaj Ehlers who has finally struck gold with three goals in the past four games. The Jets have issues with penalty kill and have given up nine power play goals in five games. The Jets are 15-16-3 for the season and completed a 2-0 shutout versus the Canucks last time round.
Vancover are close to the bottom in the Pacific Division but did put in a effort against the red hot Blue Jackets coming up short in OT, where the Canucks put on three goals to tie it in the third. The Canucks are 27th with goals allowed for the season and really need their goalies to become more consistent, along with the defense.
Vancouver show glimpses of what is to come but I expect Winnipeg to carry on for their third win straight.
TIP: Winnipeg Jets - 60 min margin, Win by 1 - $5.70 at Crownbet
