Massive 12 game slate in the NHL this Wednesday, the 14th of February. We take a look at some of the key games of the day including the Fox Sports televised Blackhawks at Knights and give our betting tips below.
Chicago Blackhawks at Vegas Golden Knights (2.00pm AEDT Fox Sports 505HD)
The Chicago Blackhawks take a road trip to Sin City to try and register a win over the Vegas Golden Knights. This is the third matchup of the year between these two teams, with Vegas claiming both games.
Chicago have lost five straight and are 2-6-2 in their previous ten games. It's worry time for the Blackhawks as they now sit last in the Central Division and are without a win in the month of February.. Due to their second game in two nights goalie Jeff Glass will see the ice. Glass has seen more ice time since Corey Crawford went down and is 3-5-3 for the year.
Vegas are 19-4-2 on home ice and are still the top team to beat in the West. The Knights had a surprise 4-1 home ice loss on Monday to the Flyers as they surrendered four goals on 18 shots. They had much of the play and put 39 shots on Michael Neuvirth but they still couldn't manage to score more than one goal. Marc Andre Fleury hasn't been at his All Star best of late as he has allowed three or more goals in his best three games including three on 17 shots last game. He will suit up again for this match as he tries to get the seven game home stand on target with a win.
TIP: Vegas Golden Knights H2H - $1.49 at Sportsbet
Calgary Flames at Boston Bruins (11.00am AEDT)
The Flames are 3-1 on this road trip out East. They got the 3-2 win over the Islanders in New York on Monday with two goals from Matthew Tkachuk in the third period to close out the Islanders. Goalie Mike Smith fell down with a lower body injury and has been ruled out of this game versus the Bruins. Backup goalie David Rittich is confirmed to take part in this game. Rittich hasn't seen much ice during the year but he has been quality with the games he's featured in. Rittich is 5-1-2 and has a huge task ahead of him over the Bruins. The Flames are one of those few teams that are better on the road than at home, they are now 16-5-6.
Boston are now the second best team in the East and are by far the hottest team in the league. Since mid December the Bruins are 19-2-3 and are scoring 3.83 goals per game. On home ice the Bruins have been electric, the are now 18-7-4. Tuukka Rask has to be mentioned because he has been lights out this season. He has won eight of the last ten and is 22-9-4 for the year.
TIP: Boston Bruins H2H - No price available yet
LA Kings at Carolina Hurricanes (11.00am AEDT)
The Kings are having a tough time finding consistency at this current time as they have now slipped to fourth in the Pacific Division. They are certainly not the same team they were at the beginning of the season. The Kings will be without Dustin Brown in this one as he received a one game suspension with the hit on Tampa Bay Mikhail Sergachev. The Kings went down to Tampa Bay on Sunday in a close 4-3 loss. The Kings reduced the deficit with two goals in the third period but wasn't enough. LA aren't outstanding offensively but they are terrific on defence. Ranked second in the league for goals allowed and penalty kill. Jonathan Quick will be between the pipes in this game.
The Canes are making a playoff push, now in the wildcard position in the East. The Canes have won their last two at home over the Canucks and the Avalanches. They are 5-4-1 in the last 10 and have posted a combined total of seven goals in their last two victories. The Canes have certainly been better since Seb Aho returned from injury, he has five points in in his past five games. Cam Ward has been solid as of late, he now is 16-7-3 for the year and allows 2.59 goals per game. With Brown out and the Canes feeling it I have to go with the home team.
TIP: Carolina Hurricanes H2H - $1.71 at Sportsbet
