Massive 9 game slate in the NHL this Wednesday, the 4th of April. We take a look at some of the key games of the day including the Fox Sports televised Bruins at Lightning and give our betting tips below.
Boston Bruins at Tampa Bay Lighting (10.30am AEST Fox Sports 505HD)
Wednesday's game of the day features two powerhouse teams of the East the Boston Bruins vs Tampa Bay Lightning. Both teams have clinched a playoff berth and will meet for the last time in the regular season. With first place in the Atlantic Division still up for grabs, expect this one to be a tight and physical.
Boston now lead the Atlantic Division by two points, after an inconsistent month from Tampa Bay. Boston are 27-7-5 at home this season and have played well against their conference teams with a record of 32-8-8 over the course of season. The reason behind Boston’s success is their ability to secure one or two points from games that seemed out of reach. Their past ten games haven't been there best but they have been able to gain points in nine out of ten of them. These teams met just days ago with Boston winning 4-2 on home ice.
Tampa Bay have the ability to go all the way to the Stanley Cup final, but as of late the team are struggling to put consecutive wins on the board. The 4-1 loss to Nashville on Easter was the fourth loss in their past five games. If losing 4-1 on home ice wasn't enough, star Steven Stamkos is now on the day to day injury list after exiting after seven minutes with a lower body injury and is questionable for the Bruins game. One bright spark for the Lightning is J.T Miller who now has points in six of the last ten games. The Lightning have lost four straight to Boston and are on the verge of a series sweep.
TIP: Boston Bruins H2H - Price not yet available
Detroit Red Wings at Columbus Blue Jackets (10.00am AEST)
Another disappointing season for the Red Wings as they will finish their year off at the lower end of the Eastern Conference standings. They have put together three wins straight as they knocked off Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Ottawa. Detroit as of late have been holding up in defense, allowing five goals in their past three victories with goalie Jimmy Howard involved in all three wins. Howard is expected to start again on the road as Detroit tries to better their record of 14-23-3 away record.
The Blue Jackets will get a chance to tie with Pittsburgh for second place in the Metropolitan Division. They have too clinched a playoff berth after a fantastic second half of the year. Columbus are now 8-1-1 in their past ten games and are coming off a surprise OT away loss to Vancouver. Columbus ended the month of March with a 12-3-1 record that included that 10 game win streak. Columbus have been solid at home this year and should get the win here.
TIP: Columbus Blue Jackets H2H - $1.41 at Sportsbet
Vegas Golden Knights at Vancouver Canucks (1.00 pm AEST)
Vegas will be entering their first postseason in franchise history, as they will finish the year off in first position in the Pacific Division. The Knights have won their last two over San Jose and St Louis, as they try to end the regular season off on a high note. Vegas are 21-12-5 on the road this season and will try to sweep the series as they have won all four meetings this year. Marc Andre Fleury (29-12-4) is expected to start in this game.
Vancouver are finishing the year strong despite missing the postseason, now winners of their past four. The Canucks have had a tough year on offense ranked 26th for goals and 29th for shots on goals, but have produced 15 goals in their past four wins and holding their opponents to eight goals. Vancouver will look to next year to spice up things but will do it without the Sedin brothers who both announced their retirement only days ago. Vegas may rest players in this one with their position being fairly comfortable. With Vancouver feeling it and Sedin brothers retiring, the Canucks will get the better of Vegas in this one.
TIP: Vancouver Canucks H2H - Price not yet available
