The NHL season is nearing the three-quarter mark and teams continue to jockey for playoff positioning. Will the Bruins take down the Ducks to continue their push in the Atlantic Division? Four games are on tap for the day. Note that all information is for games played through February 12.
New York Rangers versus Buffalo Sabres
The Rangers enter with the second worst record in the Metropolitan Division and 9-15-2 on the road. Buffalo is battling in the middle of the Atlantic Division and are 17-8-4 at home. New York has a +13 to +11 edge on the Power Ranking Indicator but the Sabres are trending better lately, at “average” versus “ice cold down”. The teams have split the meetings this season. Buffalo has a decided edge on home ice and will win this one by a couple of goals.
Edmonton Oilers versus Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina enters play with a 14-9-4 record at home and in the middle of the Metropolitan Division. Edmonton is sixth in the Pacific and have a solid 12-11-4 road record. The Hurricanes won the first game between the teams this year and have a +17 to +4 advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator. They are “average up” on the Team Strength Oscillator versus “dead”, while both teams are moderately stable, according ot the Team Volatility Oscillator. Go with the home team in this one. Carolina will win, taking over in the third period.
New Jersey Devils versus Minnesota Wild
The Devils are bringing up the rear in the Metropolitan Division and are 7-18-3 on the road. Minnesota is a little over .500 at home, at 13-11-4 and are fifth in the Central Division. The Wild have a +8 to +2 advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator. Neither team are fairing well lately, at “dead” and “ice cold down”, respectively. Minnesota is one of the most unstable team in the league at -4 on the Team Volatility Oscillator. This means that it’s not wise to pay much attention to their favorite/underdog status. New Jersey is just too poor on the road to be given much a chance in this one. The Wild will win this, perhaps going to overtime.
Boston Bruins versus Anaheim Ducks
The Bruins are making a push for the top spot in the Atlantic Division. They are “burning hot” and 11-10-5 on the road this season. They hold a +27 to +2 advantage over the Ducks, who are last in the Pacific Division and “dead” on the Team Strength Oscillator. Boston is the more stable of the two teams, at +13 to +6 on the Team Volatility Oscillator. The Ducks will be home underdogs, but will probably play a solid game, at least for a while. In the end, the Bruins will take over with the more talented team and win the game.
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