Pittsburgh Penguins at Philadelphia Flyers
Watch out Rangers! The Penguins have already left Philly in their rearview mirror in the standings and are now just two points behind New York for first place in the Atlantic Division and the Eastern Conference.
Pittsburgh has won a whopping 11 in a row and the team has scored 15 goals in its last three. In fact, the Pens have won three consecutive games this week 5-1, including on Thursday at the Rangers and on Saturday at the Devils.
To make matters even better, Sidney Crosby is finally back from a concussion. He had not played since December 5 but returned to notch two assists in his first game back and three more on Saturday.
"As far as seeing the things you want to see and getting the little habits that you're used to in a certain spot, that's going to take time," Crosby said. "But I have a comfort level. Feel like I can make plays out there."
Pick: Penguins ---
Washington Capitals at Chicago Blackhawks (-150, 5.5)
Look for the Capitals to play like a desperate team on Sunday. They are just two points ahead of Winnipeg for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference after losing at the Jets 3-2 on Friday.
“We really needed the points in the standings to create some separation,” right wing Troy Brouwer said. “But now it’s going to make this race a little bit tighter.”
Washington may be able to get those points against Chicago. The Caps have won the last three meetings between the two squads and six of the last seven. However, they have yet to face each other this season.
The Blackhawks will be shorthanded for Sunday's showdown. Center Jonathan Toews (29 goals, 28 assists) is still out with an upper body injury and will not return for at least another week. Goalie Ray Emery is questionable due to illness and thus Corey Crawford will likely mind the net. Defenseman Steve Montador (14 points) is doubtful with a concussion and left wing Michael Frolik (14 points) is questionable because of the flu.
Pick: Capitals ---
Watch out Rangers! The Penguins have already left Philly in their rearview mirror in the standings and are now just two points behind New York for first place in the Atlantic Division and the Eastern Conference.
Pittsburgh has won a whopping 11 in a row and the team has scored 15 goals in its last three. In fact, the Pens have won three consecutive games this week 5-1, including on Thursday at the Rangers and on Saturday at the Devils.
To make matters even better, Sidney Crosby is finally back from a concussion. He had not played since December 5 but returned to notch two assists in his first game back and three more on Saturday.
"As far as seeing the things you want to see and getting the little habits that you're used to in a certain spot, that's going to take time," Crosby said. "But I have a comfort level. Feel like I can make plays out there."
Pick: Penguins ---
Washington Capitals at Chicago Blackhawks (-150, 5.5)
Look for the Capitals to play like a desperate team on Sunday. They are just two points ahead of Winnipeg for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference after losing at the Jets 3-2 on Friday.
“We really needed the points in the standings to create some separation,” right wing Troy Brouwer said. “But now it’s going to make this race a little bit tighter.”
Washington may be able to get those points against Chicago. The Caps have won the last three meetings between the two squads and six of the last seven. However, they have yet to face each other this season.
The Blackhawks will be shorthanded for Sunday's showdown. Center Jonathan Toews (29 goals, 28 assists) is still out with an upper body injury and will not return for at least another week. Goalie Ray Emery is questionable due to illness and thus Corey Crawford will likely mind the net. Defenseman Steve Montador (14 points) is doubtful with a concussion and left wing Michael Frolik (14 points) is questionable because of the flu.
Pick: Capitals ---
Комментариев нет:
Отправить комментарий