We’re less than a week into the season, but for a couple of teams tonight, a win is almost a necessity in order to avoid digging a big hole for themselves. Say what you will about the importance of games in October as opposed to ones in March or April, but the last time I checked, the value for a win was still the same.
The New Jersey Devils are desperate right now. They’re 0-2-1 to start the year, not getting goaltending from Martin Brodeur and are playing with 15 or 16 skaters because of the fumbles of Lou Lamiorello in trying to get this team under the cap to start the season. Can they turn it around for one night in a win against Buffalo? Maybe…I hate betting against the Devils, I can tell you that. Three games though that I am willing to wager on tonight. I’ll talk about the other team in the desperate position at the end.
New York Islanders vs. Washington Capitals (-1.5, -105)
I think I’m just going to stick with betting against Islanders’ opponents by 2 until someone actually does win by a couple of goals or more. In all seriousness, there has to come a point when all the losses to the Isles lineup finally catch up with them. John Tavares, Kyle Okposo, Mark Streit and now James Wisniewski are all out after Wisniewski was suspended for his obscene gesture towards Sean Avery on Monday.
Couple that with the idea that Bruce Boudreau will be looking for a much better effort from his Caps team and particularly Alexander Ovechkin and we should see a much more energetic team at Verizon Center tonight.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (5.5, -120)
We could see sparks at the Consol Energy Center tonight. I just read that back...no pun intended. Everyone knows about the potential that Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin can bring to the ice on any single night. But the Leafs may have enough offence this time around to make it an even affair and a high-scoring one.
Guys like Tim Brent, Clarke MacArthur and Kris Versteeg have been dynamic in the first couple of games and the Penguins will be missing a couple of their top defensemen due to injury. Brooks Orpik will not go with a groin injury and Zybenek Michalek will miss the game with a shoulder injury.
Vancouver Canucks vs. Anaheim Ducks (+125)
That other desperate team is in Southern California as the Ducks have had the worst start in the league through the first three games. I pointed out everything yesterday, but for those who missed it, here’s the short form: They’ve taken the most penalties, have the worst goal differential and their top line has no points and are a -12.
However, they take on a team that hasn’t really gotten in gear themselves, but have been lucky enough to rely heavily on their goaltender to pull out some wins for them. The Canucks won’t be able to get away with a lack of scoring for too much longer and if the woes continue, they may finally get burned by the Ducks.