Pick Receipt

NHL Saturday Evening: 𝐈𝐒𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐌𝐋 +𝟏𝟐𝟏 (𝟏𝐮) Toronto has looked great offensively, while the Islanders have had the exact opposite problem, really struggling to score more than three goals in a game. With no game for the next three days after tonight, I think this is a game New York will really want to lock in on. The Islanders are clearly not an offensive powerhouse, but their defense and goaltending are definitely things they can rely on. Toronto, on the other hand, might be a little thrown off after the whole McKenna benching drama and blowing a lead against the Sabres a couple of nights ago. Some of that could carry over into tonight’s matchup against an Islanders team whose main strength is shutting down opposing offenses. New York has enough veteran experience to stay composed and take advantage if Toronto comes out looking unsettled. I think the Islanders have a really good chance of getting the win tonight. 𝐒𝐀𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐒 𝐌𝐋 +𝟏𝟐𝟓 (𝟏𝐮) Buffalo will be looking for revenge in this rematch after Tuesday’s Frozen Frenzy, and I think they get it done. Montreal has been relying pretty heavily on the top line and the Hutson for offense, and I think Josh Anderson is due for some regression. The Sabres should also have a better idea of how to shut down that top line this time around. It’s also worth remembering that Buffalo was coming off a pretty intense game against Florida the night before Tuesday’s matchup, which could explain why they managed fewer than 20 shots against the Habs. I expect the Sabres to look much more like themselves tonight, with all four lines getting involved. Josh Doan and Ryan McLeod are both due for a breakout game any minute now, too. I like Buffalo to get their revenge. 𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 +𝟏𝟏𝟎 (𝟐𝐮) The Kings are still looking for their first win, and to be fair, they’ve had a pretty tough schedule to start the season. Going winless looks bad, but they’ve actually kept most of their games close. I don’t necessarily think the Kings are the better team compared to Boston, but I do think the situation heavily favors LA. The Bruins played last night, and even though they didn’t have to travel, it’s natural for a team to lose a bit of its edge in the second game of a back-to-back. The Kings are a defensively sound team that’s getting closer to breaking through, and if Boston comes out a little sloppy, LA could be in a great position to take advantage. On top of that, a few Kings players feel due for an offensive breakout, especially Byfield and Kempe. Tonight looks like a good opportunity for them to get going against a Bruins team that probably won’t be at 100% in terms of energy or focus. I don’t really see much of a middle ground here. Either the Kings stay stuck in their slump and lose again, or they finally put it all together and win this one convincingly without needing OT.