Big 9 game slate in the NHL this Wednesday, the 28th of February. We take a look at some of the key games of the day including the Fox Sports televised Flames at Stars and give our betting tips below.
Calgary Flames at Dallas Stars (12.30pm AEDT Fox Sports 503HD)
The Flames hit the road to the American Airlines Center in Dallas to take on the Stars. The Flames gave up seven goals to Vegas on Thursday but bounced straight back with victories over the Coyotes and the Avalanches. Maybe the Vegas game was a wake up call to the Flames because since then, they have been great on offense collecting ten goals and even better on defence allowing two goals. The Flames are a terrific team on the road, in fact their record of 18-8-5 is a ton better than their home record. Matthew Tkachuk has been great all year and is still producing the goods. He has 24 goals for the year and three points in the last two games.
Dallas have been heating up of late, they are 6-4-0 in their previous ten and are making some noise to claim a spot in the Central Division for playoff hockey. Ben Bishop is expected to start between the pipes, he has lost the last two giving up six goals. Dallas got the 6-4 win over Calgary in their last matchup on home ice, thanks to Tyler Seguin scoring a hat-trick. Dallas have been consistent on home ice this year, now a record of 21-10-1 at American Airlines Center.
TIP: Calgary Flames H2H - $2.27 at Sportsbet
Toronto Maple Leafs at Florida Panthers (11.30am AEDT)
Toronto will be playing back to back games Tuesday and Wednesday as they meet the Panthers in Florida. The Leafs are one of the hottest teams in the league, now winners of their last four and 9-1-0 in their last ten. The Leafs have been scoring goals at will, even with the loss of Auston Matthews who injured his shoulder against Boston, they still find multiple ways to score. Goalie Curtis McElhinney is expected to start because of the back to back games, he is 7-4-0 for the year.
Florida have been playing their best hockey of the year, but are still five points outside the wild card position. The Panthers have won their last two and are 7-3 in their last ten. In an emotional night in Florida they had a come home behind victory against the Capitals then knocked off a red hot Penguins team in a 6-5 shoot out, with Evgenii Dadonov scoring the winning goal to wrap up a massive night for the youngster as he finished with a hat trick.
TIP: Florida Panthers H2H - $1.74 at Sportsbet
St Louis Blues at Minnesota Wild (12.00pm AEDT)
The Blues aren't just losing players in the trade period they are also losing games. The Blues haven't scored in two games with 4-0 losses to both Winnipeg and Nashville. They have actually dropped the last six and have slipped outside the wildcard slot. The Blues have also lost Paul Stastny to Winnipeg which is a massive loss with Stastny registering 40 points (12 goals, 28 assists) for the year. The Blues have an All Star forward line so if they can gain any consistency they are a chance on the road in Minnesota.
The Wild are having a great month and so is Centerman Eric Staal who was named First Star of the week. The Wild are now third in the Central Division as they have now won their last four straight. The Wild have a great record at home (21-5-6) and have won the last two over the Blues. Devan Dubnyk is expected to start again as he lines up for his 43rd game of the year and will try to get win number 27 on his belt.
TIP: Minnesota Wild H2H - $1.72 at Sportsbet
