Big nine game slate in the NHL this Wednesday, the 13th of December. We take a look at some of the key games of the day including the Fox Sports televised Lightning at Blues and give our betting tips below.
Tampa Bay Lightning at St Louis Blues (12.00pm AEST Fox Sports 503HD)
The top two teams in the league meet in the matchup of the day. The Lightning lead the Atlantic Division along with the Eastern Conference and are looking to win their fifth straight game. Both teams have impeccable goal scoring abilities the question in this battle who has the better offense? Tampa Bay are ranked number one in the league for goals, power play percentage and shooting percentage, with the duo Stamkos and Kucherov the go to men in this solid core team. Andrei Vasilevsky will be in the in net for this heavyweight battle.
The Blues have been solid since day one in this season and are also looking for their fifth straight win. The only downfall in this game is the injuries to defenseman Alex Pietrangelo and winger Jaden Schwartz, it's definitely an advantage to the Lightning with these two powerhouses out. The Blues have a lot of depth despite the injuries with Brayden Schenn having a killer year and the dangerous Vladimir Tarasenko always a threat around the goal. This should be an epic game but I think the strength of Tampa Bay will be too much to handle for Blues.
TIP: Tampa Bay Lightning H2H - $1.88 at Sportsbet
Los Angeles Kings at New Jersey Devils (11.00 am AEDT)
The traveling Kings head to Jersey for a bout with a confident Devils team. LA are the hottest team in the league and will be searching for their ninth straight win. When a team has a better away record than home you now they are the real deal. LA don't have a forward structure like the Tampa Bay or Pittsburgh with their main focus being their defence. They are ranked first in goals allowed this season and get getting a lot of help from a healthy Jonathan Quick who is in the net for yet another challenge.
New Jersey have dropped the last two and are in a slight downward spiral after starting the year leading the Metropolitan Division. Offence has struggled within the last week or so, only managing to put in nine goals in the past four games. Is it troubled time in Jersey or are the Devil's just going through a bad period? They also will be without ex Capital Marcus Johansson who has suffered an injury and is likely to miss.
TIP: LA Kings H2H - $1.76 at Sportsbet
Carolina Hurricanes at Vegas Golden Knights (2.00pm AEDT)
Tipped to be one of the strongest teams in the East this season, the Hurricanes are sliding in the same direction they have been in the last few years. The visiting Hurricanes have dropped the last three on the road and need something to give in this game before heading home. To be fair two of the previous losses have come in OT against the Kings and Sharks and by all means hasn't been a walkover.
Vegas keep on surprising us all with their ability to match the best. Winners of their last four and now second in the Pacific Division behind the Kings. What a start to their franchise. Vegas are 11-2-0 at home this season and are ranked third in the league for scoring goals. Malcolm Subban gets the start in this game ahead of his teammate Marc Andre Fleury who is now off the injured list. Hard to go past Vegas in this one!
TIP: Vegas Golden Knights H2H - $1.70 at Sportsbet
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