Let’s take a look at tonight’s six games. All times are listed in Eastern (ET) as usual.
7:00 pm
Edmonton @ New Jersey
I’m starting to think that the Devils’ record should be some kind of Mendoza line for other bad hockey teams. “Well, the Oilers have been pretty bad, but they’ve lost two less games than the Devils.”
Either way, both teams are on two-game losing streaks and haven’t won many games lately in general. The Oilers just got thrashed by the Detroit Red Wings last night, while the Devils haven’t won a game yet at their home in Newark. Perhaps playing the paltry group from Edmonton might be New Jersey’s Prudential Center elixir?
Colorado @ Columbus
The Blue Jackets seem like they’re figuring things out lately, evidenced by their 8-1 thrashing of the scorching hot St. Louis Blues this week. They’ve won six of their last eight games, but one of those losses came in Colorado as the Avalanche beat them 5-1.
The Avs seem to be trading wins and losses lately (4-5-1 in their last 10 games), but when they win they’ve won pretty big. They scored 16 goals in their last three wins ... we’ll see if that feast or famine trend continues tonight.
Tampa Bay @ Pittsburgh
Wow, Pittsburgh has been absolutely putrid so far this season. After coasting to a 4-2 lead against the Bruins, the Penguins collapsed in the third period of that game and allowed five unanswered goals. They lost three of their last four games and their only win in that stretch came in a shootout against the similarly struggling Phoenix Coyotes.
The Lightning won’t exactly be a great asset to the Penguins’ comeback hopes, although Tampa Bay might be a little tired after losing a tough game against the Washington Capitals last night. That being said, goal-scoring leader Steve Stamkos must be excited by the opportunity to exploit the wounded Pens tonight.
7:30 pm
Minnesota @ Florida
It’s tough to find two teams that define middle-of-the-pack quite like the Wild and Panthers. They both play reasonably decent defense, employ talented yet expensive goalies and struggle to score. Perhaps this game should be known as the Nougat Bowl.
9:00 pm
Calgary @ Phoenix
Speaking of two mediocre teams, the Flames and Coyotes will play to decide which team is the second worst team in the West ahead of the woeful Oilers. Phoenix hasn’t been able to achieve the kind of shutdown defense that carried them last season while Calgary struggles to find consistency.
10:00 pm
Dallas @ Anaheim
After losing a well-played game against the Los Angeles Kings last night, the Stars play against the red-hot Ducks in the second of back-to-back California contests. Anaheim is really clicking now, carrying a five-game winning streak into this game. The Ducks are particularly mighty at home so far this season, with a 6-1-1 mark at the Pond.