One of the biggest moves at the NHL trade deadline saw Patrick Kane heading east to join the New York Rangers. When the Rangers had targeted Vladimir Tarasenko, it did not seem that the Blueshirts would have a need for Kane, but now he leaves the Chicago Blackhawks behind to join former linemate Artemi Panarin. The Blackhawks had zero shot at winning the Stanley Cup, but now Kane has a shot at seeing his name engraved on the most venerable trophy in professional sports a fourth time.
Don’t miss our two NHL betting picks from the hockey games for the weekend.
NHL Betting Predictions and Picks for the 2 Best Games
Colorado Avalanche (-103) at Dallas Stars (-113) (3:30 pm ET, ABC)
Saturday, March 4
The Avalanche head to Dallas just six points behind Dallas in the Central Division and holding three games in hand. Colorado is 34-20-5 (73 points), and the Stars are 33-16-13 (79 points). Colorado comes in with a 7-1-1 record in their last nine games, and they have won three of their last four meetings against the Stars. Colorado had started the season 20-17-3, with their inconsistency due in large part to injuries. Since January 14, though, the Avs are 14-3-2 and had picked up points in eight consecutive games until losing, 7-5, to New Jersey on Wednesday. The Avalanche had limited the opposition to two or fewer goals in five of their last six games before that track meet on Wednesday, and they have won five of their last six against teams with winning records.
Dallas sits atop the Western Conference despite a recent five-game losing streak. They have a 3-0-1 record in their last four, but the American Airlines Center has not been a dominant home arena for them of late, as they have dropped five of six in front of their home fans. Their defense has been elite, as they rank third in goals permitted and the penalty kill, and tey are eighth on the power play, but they also have a way of letting leads slip away in the third period, and they are dreadful at 3-on-3 hockey, as their 13 losses in overtime and the shootout indicate. Colorado to win.
Tampa Bay Lightning at Carolina Hurricanes (3:00 pm ET, TNT)
Sunday, March 5
Tampa Bay will play its second matinee game in two days on Sunday, following up a date in Buffalo on Saturday with a game at Carolina. The Lightning (37-19-5) are third in the Atlantic Division and have dropped three in a row, giving up 16 goals in losses to the Penguins, the Panthers and the Penguins again. The last loss to the Penguins came on Thursday in 5-4 fashion in overtime. It looked like Tampa Bay was off to a solid start when they clanked two shots off Pittsburgh defenseman Kris Letang, the second off his mouth, caroming into the net. Despite two power plays in the first period, and 13 shots on goal, but they were still down 1-0. In the second, Jeff Petry had a pair of goals 25 seconds apart. The Lightning tied the game on the power play, but Jeff Zucker made it 3-2. Zucker would also score the game-winner for the Penguins in overtime. If the Lightning can’t figure out their defensive issues, they will have a hard time with the Hurricanes.
After facing the Sabres, the Lightning will jet to Carolina to face a team that had won five in a row before losing at home to Anaheim and in Las Vegas. They play in Arizona on Friday night before returning home to welcome the Lightning on Sunday. Their loss to Vegas came in 3-2 fashion; the Hurricanes had scored early in the third period to tie the game at 2-2 before Reilly Smith scored the game-winner for Vegas with 3:42 remaining. This marked the first time the Hurricanes had lost back-to-back games since January 3 and 5. The Hurricanes still lead the Metropolitan Division with 86 points. Carolina to win.
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