Boston Bruins at Pittsburgh Penguins
So much for Sidney Crosby's return to the ice.
Crosby was never listed as anything better than questionable for Sunday's game against the Bruins, but he ruled himself out after Saturday's practice. Crosby's comeback from concussion and neck issues lasted only eight games and he has not played since December 5.
That will temper some of the excitement for Sunday's showdown between Pittsburgh and Boston, but it may not matter for the Penguins. They have won eight games in a row and are within four points of the Rangers for the top spot in the Atlantic Division and the Eastern Conference.
Pittsburgh has been getting it done with defense of late. The team has given up a mere 11 goals during its eight-game surge. The Pens have posted one shutout and have held opponents to one goal four times during this span.
Marc-Andre Fleury should be in goal after getting a rest in Wednesday's 3-2 win over Toronto. Fleury made 28 saves in a 2-1 shootout win over Florida on Friday. He has allowed only one goal in each of his last three outings.
Pick: Penguins +++
Philadelphia Flyers at New Jersey Devils (-120, 5.5)
Ilya Brzygalov is heating up for the Flyers. As of Saturday afternoon (prior to a night game against Toronto), the netminder has allowed only two total goals in his last three games. He shut out the Capitals last Sunday, beat Detroit 3-2 on Tuesday, and blanked Florida on Thursday.
"It's good to hear that the fans are behind him and behind our team," said teammate Claude Giroux of the crowd's chants for Brzygalov during Thursday's shutout. "I can't even imagine how hard it was for him at one point. He had a tough stretch. He was pretty much getting booed at home ice.
"Now, he's our best player. We need him to be our best player."
Overall, the Flyers have won four in a row. They are still third place in the Atlantic Division but they are also tied for third in the entire Eastern Conference.
The Devils have also been stingy on the defensive end of the ice and they have won three of their last four heading into a Saturday night game against the Islanders. New Jersey has not allowed more than one goal in any of its last four (three total during the stretch).
Pick: Under +++
So much for Sidney Crosby's return to the ice.
Crosby was never listed as anything better than questionable for Sunday's game against the Bruins, but he ruled himself out after Saturday's practice. Crosby's comeback from concussion and neck issues lasted only eight games and he has not played since December 5.
That will temper some of the excitement for Sunday's showdown between Pittsburgh and Boston, but it may not matter for the Penguins. They have won eight games in a row and are within four points of the Rangers for the top spot in the Atlantic Division and the Eastern Conference.
Pittsburgh has been getting it done with defense of late. The team has given up a mere 11 goals during its eight-game surge. The Pens have posted one shutout and have held opponents to one goal four times during this span.
Marc-Andre Fleury should be in goal after getting a rest in Wednesday's 3-2 win over Toronto. Fleury made 28 saves in a 2-1 shootout win over Florida on Friday. He has allowed only one goal in each of his last three outings.
Pick: Penguins +++
Philadelphia Flyers at New Jersey Devils (-120, 5.5)
Ilya Brzygalov is heating up for the Flyers. As of Saturday afternoon (prior to a night game against Toronto), the netminder has allowed only two total goals in his last three games. He shut out the Capitals last Sunday, beat Detroit 3-2 on Tuesday, and blanked Florida on Thursday.
"It's good to hear that the fans are behind him and behind our team," said teammate Claude Giroux of the crowd's chants for Brzygalov during Thursday's shutout. "I can't even imagine how hard it was for him at one point. He had a tough stretch. He was pretty much getting booed at home ice.
"Now, he's our best player. We need him to be our best player."
Overall, the Flyers have won four in a row. They are still third place in the Atlantic Division but they are also tied for third in the entire Eastern Conference.
The Devils have also been stingy on the defensive end of the ice and they have won three of their last four heading into a Saturday night game against the Islanders. New Jersey has not allowed more than one goal in any of its last four (three total during the stretch).
Pick: Under +++
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