The NHL regular season is one-third complete and it’s not too early to look at the playoff picture. The featured match up of the day is the Boston Bruins versus the Pittsburgh Penguins, while several other games will be examined. Note that all information is for games played through Monday, December 10.
Boston Bruins versus Pittsburgh Penguins
Boston looks to continue their push up the Atlantic Division standings, while the Penguins are stuck in the middle of the Metropolitan Division. Winners of two straight the Bruins are “burning hot” on the Team Strength Oscillator and +15 on the Power Ranking Indicator. This compares favorably to the Penguins +9 and “average”, respectively. Pittsburgh is one of the most unstable teams in the league, so look at their favorite/underdog status with caution. Boston has won four of the last six meetings between the teams and should come away with a road victory in this one.
Vegas Golden Knights versus New Jersey Devils
Vegas is 8-2 over their last ten games and pushing towards the top in the Pacific Division. They have a +17 to +1 advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator. The Devils are in last place in the Metropolitan and “dead” on the Team Strength Oscillator. The teams split the two meetings last season. Although the Devils are 7-2-4 at home, they are playing so poorly at the moment and Vegas is one of the most stable teams in the league. Likely a road favorite, look for the Golden Knights to take this one by a goal or two.
Ottawa Senators versus Detroit Red Wings
Both teams are lingering near the bottom of the Atlantic Division. Ottawa is 4-5-1 over their last ten and are “average down”, while the Red Wings are 4-4-2 during that stretch and are “average”. Detroit has a +13 to +8 edge on the Power Ranking Indicator and both teams are +5 on the Team Volatility Oscillator. As even as can be, the teams have split the last six meetings. In much of a toss up game, I give the edge to the Red Wings at home. Don’t be surprised to see this one end in overtime.
Winnipeg Jets versus Chicago Blackhawks
Winnipeg looks to stay on the heels of Colorado and Nashville in the Central Division, while the Blackhawks are at the bottom and continue to fade. Winnipeg has a +11 to 0 advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator. Losers of seven straight, Chicago is “dead” on the Team Strength Oscillator. Both teams are relatively stable, which leans this pick even further towards the road favorite Jets. Chicago won the last two meetings between these teams, but unlikely to make it three straight.
Philadelphia Flyers versus Edmonton Oilers
This match up features two teams heading in opposite directions. Edmonton is 7-3 over their last ten and are “burning hot” on the Team Strength Oscillator. They hold a +18 to +6 advantage over Philadelphia, who is “ice cold down” and 3-5-2 over their last ten. The teams have split the last six meetings between the teams. Edmonton is a bit more stable according to the Team Volatility Oscillator, which bodes well in this one as home favorites. Look for Edmonton to continue their hot streak and push the Flyers further down in the Eastern Conference.
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