The Boston Bruins have already sprinted away from the rest of the NHL this season, and they just made themselves even better ahead of the trade deadline. The B’s got Garnet Hathaway and Dmitry Orlov from Washington in a three-way deal that sent Craig Smith and three draft choices. The Minnesota Wild got a draft pick and salary considerations as part of the deal. Orlov and Hathaway are unrestricted free agents who have just contributed to Boston’s depth. The Bruins have a 43-8-5 record and a +92 goal differential. Orlov is another elite blueliner who is skating 22:43 per game. Hathaway is a checking-line forward who adds size and experience. Let’s see what the Capitals can do against the Rangers, and we will also check in with Calgary and Colorado as we give you our two NHL betting picks.
NHL News: Top Bets for the Weekend
Saturday, February 25
N.Y. Rangers (-137) at Washington Capitals (+118) (1:00 pm ET, ABC)
The Rangers went split four games on their swing through Western Canada, beating VAncouver and Edmonton and then losing to Calgary and Winnipeg. They also lost to Detroit on Thursday, 4-1, and they stay on the road when they visit the Caps. In the loss to Detroit, the Red Wings scored the first period’s only goal, before the Rangers drew level at 6:06 of the second. However, the Red Wings would pile on three unanswered goals. Jaroslav Halak only made 19 saves on the day as the Rangers did not put on a spirited defensive effort.
Washington has lost six in a row; their last win came in Boston on February 11. They have since lost to San Jose, Carolina, Florida, Carolina again, Detroit and Anaheim, with the loss to the Ducks coming on Thursday in 4-2 fashion at home. T.J. Oshie got the Caps off to an early lead on the power play in the first period, but the Ducks evened the score just 7:09 into the second. The Caps went ahead, 2-1, just two minutes later, but the Ducks found the back of the net three times to get the final score. Charlie Lindgren only faced 20 shots, but he could only stop 17 (the last goal was an empty-netter). Rangers to win.
Calgary Flames (+123) at Colorado Avalanche (-148) (10:00 pm ET)
The Flames have split their last four games, alternating wins over the Rangers and the Coyotes with losses to Philadelphia and Vegas. They fell in Vegas on Thursday, 4-3, giving up a two-goal lead in the third period and falling in overtime. Jakob Pelletier, Jonathan Huberdeau and Mikael Backlund all lit the lamp for Calgary, giving Backlund goals in four straight games and eight points in his last five. However, Dan Vladar could not stop Alex Pietrangelo from cashing in a rebound in overtime.
Next up is a visit to Colorado, where the Avalanche have won three in a row and four of five. Their wins have come over Minnesota and St. Louis on the road and Edmonton at home. The Avs do play the Jets in Winnipeg on Friday before returning home to host the Flames the next night. In their win over Edmonton on Sunday, Nathan MacKinnon and J.T. Compher each had a goal and an assist, and Logan O’Connor, Valeri Nichushkin and Artturi Lehkonen all scored goals. Mikko Rantanen had the game-winner with just 21 seconds left on the overtime clock. That gave Rantanen 36 goals on the season. But how well will the Avs play on the second night of a back-to-back? Avalanche to win.
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