The NHL season nears the midpoint and teams look to position themselves heading into the second half. Several games are set to face off on January 22 with the Devils hosting the Penguins as the headline matchup.
Pittsburgh Penguins versus New Jersey Devils
In this Metropolitan Division battle, the 5th-place Penguins take on the 2nd-place Devils. Pittsburgh is “average down” on the Team Strength Oscillator and +16 on the Power Ranks Indicator versus “burning hot” and +29 for New Jersey. The Penguins have been the far more stable team, at +10 to +1 on the Team Volatility Oscillator. The Score Predictor likes the Penguins 4-3 with 50 percent confidence. As a road underdog, New Jersey won the first game between the teams this season. I like Pittsburgh to even the score, perhaps taking overtime to do so.
San Jose Sharks versus Boston Bruins
The teams are heading in opposite directions in this contest. San Jose is second from the bottom in the Pacific Division and Boston has the best record in the NHL. The Bruins are “burning hot” versus “ice cold up” on the Team Strength Oscillator and +31 to +1 on the Power Ranks Indicator. Interestingly enough, the Score Predictor has the Sharks by a 2-1 score with 74 percent confidence. Both teams have been extremely consistent with regard to their favorite/underdog status. Boston won the first meeting between the teams this season by a score of 4-2. I like a similar result this time. Go with Boston by at least two goals.
Los Angeles Kings versus Chicago Blackhawks
The Kings are 3rd in the Pacific Division and the Blackhawks are bringing up the rear in the Central Division. Los Angeles is “average” on the Team Strength Oscillator and +30 on the Power Ranks Indicator, while Chicago is “average up” and +3, respectively. The Score Predictor has Chicago by a 3-2 score with 56 percent confidence. Both teams have been trending in games “over” the line, so expect a shootout in this one. The teams split the first two games this season, each by a 2-1 score. I like the Kings in a game “over” the line.
Vegas Golden Knights versus Arizona Coyotes
Vegas enters with the top record in the Pacific Division and Arizona is second from the bottom in the Central Division. The Golden Knights are “average down” versus “dead up” on the Team Strength Oscillator and +27 to 0 on the Power Ranks Indicator. The Score Predictor sees a Vegas road win by a score of 4-3 with 54 percent confidence. Vegas has been involved in games “over” the line in five of their last six games. I expect the same in this one. Vegas won the first game between the teams by a score of 5-2. While they might now win by three on the road, go with Vegas by a goal or two in a game “over” the line.
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