Nearly two-thirds of the NHL season is in the books and much is left to be decided in terms of the playoffs. The featured game is Montreal versus Toronto with four other games being examined. Note that all information is for games played through February 5.
Los Angeles Kings versus Boston Bruins
The Kings enter last in the Pacific while the Bruins are fourth in the Atlantic. Los Angeles is 5-4-1 over their last ten and “average” on the Team Strength Oscillator. Boston 18-7-3 at home and 4-3-3 over their last ten. They are “ice cold up” and +13 on the Power Ranking Indicator. The two teams haven’t met yet this season. Boston is the more stable of the two teams, indicating they perform more consistently according to their favorite/underdog status. Boston will be a home favorite and will take care of business in this one.
Colorado Avalanche versus New York Islanders
Colorado is near the bottom in the Central while the Islanders have vaulted to the top of the Metropolitan. The Islanders are 15-7-4 at home ant 6-2-2 over their last ten games. They hold a +24 to +7 advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator and “average up” versus “ice cold down” status. Colorado is .500 and home and on the road and lost to New York as home favorite in first meeting this season. Neither team have been highly stable according to the Team Volatility Oscillator. Having said that, New York is clearly the better team and would be the pick regardless of their status.
Winnipeg Jets versus Ottawa Senators
Winnipeg is 7-2-1 over their last ten and sit on top of the Central Division. They are “burning hot” and +29 on the Power Ranking Indicator. On the flip side of the coin, the Senators have lost four straight and have the worst record in the NHL. They are 0 on the Power Ranking Indicator and “ice cold down” on the Team Strength Oscillator. This is the first meeting between the teams this season and there is little to indicate that Ottawa can win this one. Pick the Jets in a rather comfortable win.
Dallas Stars versus Arizona Coyotes
The two teams met on February 4 with Dallas winning by a 5-4 margin as the home favorite. Overall the Stars are third in the Central and the Coyotes are fifth in the Pacific. Dallas holds a +22 to +6 advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator and “burning hot” against “ice cold down” on the Team Strength Oscillator. Neither team has been particularly stable, so their favorite/underdog status should be considered with caution. Dallas is 10-13-2 on the road and Arizona is 9-12-3 at home. This game is much of a coin flip but will go with the Coyotes at home, perhaps in overtime.
Toronto Maple Leafs versus Montreal Canadiens
The Maple Leafs and Canadiens enter play second and third in the Atlantic Division. Toronto is 16-6-2 on the road and Montreal is 16-10-3 at home. Toronto won the first meeting between these teams as a home favorite on October 3. The Maple Leafs have a +24 to +20 advantage on the Power Ranking Indicator and “burning hot” versus “average up” status. Toronto is slightly more stable at +7 versus +3, but rather insignificant edge for two teams that are generally not overly stable. Both teams are on mini-winning streaks. That will come to an end for Toronto, as the Canadiens will hold on to home ice advantage.
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