Wednesday Pucks Year to Date: +3.04
Two big plays tonight. 2* Over 5.5 NYI/BUF The first two meetings between these teams resulted in scores of 3-2 and 6-4. Buffalo's netminder Ryan Miller has an ankle injury and it is unsure if he will go tonight. If he doesn't the forever shaky Jocelyn Thibault will play but even if Miller does play he has had all kinds of problems with the Islanders going 1-3 with a 4.57 GAA. The Sabres had problems scoring in their last game getting only one goal but a lot of that could be chalked up to playing in their first game back home after a long road trip. This has historically been a difficult position for most NHL clubs. 2* Chicago -1.5 +180 The Hawks have struggled in Decmber after an unexpected very good start to their season. Facing the last place Kings could be just the medicine they've been looking for, especially for their goaltender Nikolai Khabibulan. Khabibulan has been downright dominant against the Kings throughout his career going 15-5 with a 1.81 GAA and six shutouts. The Hawks are coming off three staright home losses eventhough their play has not been that bad. The Kings meanwhile are coming off a big home win against their division rival Vancouver. Traveling to Chicago to face a club desperate for a win against a goaltender that has given them fits will be a very tall task for this mediocre at best Kings team who has very, very shaky goaltending.
Don't like putting two units on a game while laying the point and a half but I think this one merits it. |