HNIC
Date---------record------units
10/11 -------- 2-0 ------ +2.68
10/18---------2-2------- -0.20
10/25---------1-2------ -1.10
11/1----------1-3------ -1.60
11/8----------1-2-1---- -1.00
YTD----------7-9-1 ----- -1.22
Washington -1.5 +242 (Matchbook)
This line has spiked on the news that Alexander Semin left last night’s game late in the second period. Far too much of a overreaction for me. Even if he wasn’t to suit up, and all indications are that he will, the Caps are head and shoulders better than New Jersey at this point of time.
Consider that Washington had All-World Semin in their lineup last night for only 12 minutes. He contributed with 3 shots on goal and 1 face off win. Washington still handled the Devils easily. Fact is Washington is much more than a one line, or one star, lineup.
Ovechkin was relatively dormant by his standards over Washington’s first 11 games of the season scoring a goal in only one game, (2 versus Chicago in the second game). But let it be known Ovie is back scoring in three straight games and assisting on 7 more in the last 4. Once this train starts rolling, there is little that can slow him down. Ovechkin is known for his streaky play and once he's hot, can carry a team on his back. FYI: AO is second in the league with a plus/minus of 14. Mike Green is third with 11. Naturally, Alexander Semin leads everyone with 17.
While Washington has found their groove riding a 5 game winning streak and 7 of their last 9, New Jersey is floundering. Without Marty Brodeur the Devils have lost 5 of 6. Four of those loses were by more than a goal. Truth is, even when they had Marty Brodeur between the pipes the Devils were struggling losing 3 of his last 4 starts. All told New Jersey has lost 8 of their last 10.
While the Devils did get Paul Martin back in their lineup last night they still play without Brian Rolston and Bobby Holik. Their offense is anemic without them.
Boston +115 (BetVegasVic)
Another case of two teams heading in opposite directions. Boston winning eight of their last nine and Rangers sputtering to a 2-4 record over their last 6 only begins to paint a uneven picture.
Consider their opponents over this period. Boston played Edmonton, Vancouver, Calgary, and Chicago on the road. They won 3 of those games and allowed only 4 goals. At home they beat Montreal, Buffalo, Toronto, and Dallas by a combined score of 19-4.
The Rangers 4 wins in their last 8 games have come against injury plagued Devils, Tampa Bay, Atlanta, and the Islanders. Don’t be fooled by their Eastern Conference leading record. They are a overrated squad and face a team tonight who are clicking on every cylinder.
Boston can win in numerous ways. They can get a early lead and trap you to death as evidenced by their consecutive 1-0 wins at Edmonton and Vancouver or attack in the offensive zone and go for a convincing knock out punch. These aren’t the one dimensional Claude Julien Bruins of a season ago. Last year their offense was pathetic averaging only 2.51 GPG, or just .2 goals more than the last place New York Islanders.
Julien has allowed his players to open up their games and utilize the offensive potential at their disposal. I thought the addition of Patrice Bergeron would help improve Boston’s sluggish offense from last year but I had no idea that they would increase by more than a half goal a game. This year they roll four full lines of scoring threats. Boston’s roster includes 9 players with at least 3 goals. Not one of their regulars have a negative +/-.
In net it’s no different. As good as Lundqvist has been, Thomas is better. It may not be as pretty but the numbers don’t lie. Thomas has a better GAA, save percentage, winning percentage, and more shutouts. It is worth mentioning that Lundqvist and Thomas have quite opposite lifetime numbers against each other. Lundqvist is 8-1-2 versus Boston with a 1.32 GAA, .953 save#. Thomas is 2-4-2 against New York, 3.27 GAA and .892 save#. But here too the numbers can be deceiving. Thomas has won his last two starts against New York, (and Lundqvist), on back to back nights last January.
Could be back later with another play or two.
Date---------record------units
10/11 -------- 2-0 ------ +2.68
10/18---------2-2------- -0.20
10/25---------1-2------ -1.10
11/1----------1-3------ -1.60
11/8----------1-2-1---- -1.00
YTD----------7-9-1 ----- -1.22
Washington -1.5 +242 (Matchbook)
This line has spiked on the news that Alexander Semin left last night’s game late in the second period. Far too much of a overreaction for me. Even if he wasn’t to suit up, and all indications are that he will, the Caps are head and shoulders better than New Jersey at this point of time.
Consider that Washington had All-World Semin in their lineup last night for only 12 minutes. He contributed with 3 shots on goal and 1 face off win. Washington still handled the Devils easily. Fact is Washington is much more than a one line, or one star, lineup.
Ovechkin was relatively dormant by his standards over Washington’s first 11 games of the season scoring a goal in only one game, (2 versus Chicago in the second game). But let it be known Ovie is back scoring in three straight games and assisting on 7 more in the last 4. Once this train starts rolling, there is little that can slow him down. Ovechkin is known for his streaky play and once he's hot, can carry a team on his back. FYI: AO is second in the league with a plus/minus of 14. Mike Green is third with 11. Naturally, Alexander Semin leads everyone with 17.
While Washington has found their groove riding a 5 game winning streak and 7 of their last 9, New Jersey is floundering. Without Marty Brodeur the Devils have lost 5 of 6. Four of those loses were by more than a goal. Truth is, even when they had Marty Brodeur between the pipes the Devils were struggling losing 3 of his last 4 starts. All told New Jersey has lost 8 of their last 10.
While the Devils did get Paul Martin back in their lineup last night they still play without Brian Rolston and Bobby Holik. Their offense is anemic without them.
Boston +115 (BetVegasVic)
Another case of two teams heading in opposite directions. Boston winning eight of their last nine and Rangers sputtering to a 2-4 record over their last 6 only begins to paint a uneven picture.
Consider their opponents over this period. Boston played Edmonton, Vancouver, Calgary, and Chicago on the road. They won 3 of those games and allowed only 4 goals. At home they beat Montreal, Buffalo, Toronto, and Dallas by a combined score of 19-4.
The Rangers 4 wins in their last 8 games have come against injury plagued Devils, Tampa Bay, Atlanta, and the Islanders. Don’t be fooled by their Eastern Conference leading record. They are a overrated squad and face a team tonight who are clicking on every cylinder.
Boston can win in numerous ways. They can get a early lead and trap you to death as evidenced by their consecutive 1-0 wins at Edmonton and Vancouver or attack in the offensive zone and go for a convincing knock out punch. These aren’t the one dimensional Claude Julien Bruins of a season ago. Last year their offense was pathetic averaging only 2.51 GPG, or just .2 goals more than the last place New York Islanders.
Julien has allowed his players to open up their games and utilize the offensive potential at their disposal. I thought the addition of Patrice Bergeron would help improve Boston’s sluggish offense from last year but I had no idea that they would increase by more than a half goal a game. This year they roll four full lines of scoring threats. Boston’s roster includes 9 players with at least 3 goals. Not one of their regulars have a negative +/-.
In net it’s no different. As good as Lundqvist has been, Thomas is better. It may not be as pretty but the numbers don’t lie. Thomas has a better GAA, save percentage, winning percentage, and more shutouts. It is worth mentioning that Lundqvist and Thomas have quite opposite lifetime numbers against each other. Lundqvist is 8-1-2 versus Boston with a 1.32 GAA, .953 save#. Thomas is 2-4-2 against New York, 3.27 GAA and .892 save#. But here too the numbers can be deceiving. Thomas has won his last two starts against New York, (and Lundqvist), on back to back nights last January.
Could be back later with another play or two.
