Penguins/Sharks:

The Pittsburgh Penguins will continue their Pacific Coast trip as they come into the Tank tonight to face the San Jose Sharks.

The Penguins have certainly turned over a new leaf in 2018, as they are now 6-2 in the New Year. They have gotten their rhythm back, and are now looking like the defending champions that they are.

The San Jose Sharks have more or less been their same selves that they have always been under Pete Deboer; a slow but talented and gentle puck possession team. The problem with this is that Pittsburgh’s speed has always matched them well. We saw what happened in the Stanley Cup Finals in 2016, and we also saw them lose two more games against the Penguins since. With the Penguins being in a good place right now, and the Sharks being very well aware that they have a game against a state rival tomorrow, I think the momentum will remain with Pittsburgh.

Penguins moneyline +100 2*

Islanders/Blackhawks:

The New York Islander and Chicago Blackhawks will take part in an interconference matchup tonight at the United Center.

I think most hockey followers can expect high octane games more often than not at this point, anytime the Islanders hit the ice. Head Coach Doug Weight has clearly preferred the aggressive offensive style, though it has not worked as well recently as New York has lost 7 of their past 10 games.

The Blackhawks have been highly inconsistent this year, but this is the type of game where their experience will allow them to develop a way to contain the Islanders. Thankfully for them, Chicago is the second best puck possession team in hockey. Therefore, their puck management is usually their strength. I expect them to avoid a run and gun game with the Islanders, and focus on their opportunistic style tonight. With both teams being “playoff bubble teams” on different conferences, neither will be too conscious about giving up an additional overtime point in the standings, and both will likely play for overtime if the game is close in the third. I expect a possible stale game.

UNDER 6.5 +105 2*

Canucks/Oilers:

Tonight’s matchup between the Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers will showcase two bottom feeding teams coming off their bye weeks.

While many did not expect Edmonton to be in this position at the midway mark of the season, here they are. However, Edmonton has dominated in most advance stats categories, but have seemed to have a tough time finding balance of effective offense and structured defense. Today, I think both teams will come out driven more so by energy than by strategy.

I expect both teams to flaunt their offensive potential in a high octane game on Hockey Night in Canada’s second leg. Vancouver found their scoring touch shortly before the break, and I think they will try to stick to a game involving scoring.

OVER 5.5 -105 1*