Hurricanes/Penguins:

The Carolina Hurricanes will come into Pittsburgh to face the Penguins, as there are two key players out in this matchup. Carolina will continue to be without arguably their best winger in Sebastian Aho, while the Penguins will continue be without Matt Murray, after the death of his father. This means that Casey Desmith will make his third straight start in goal for the Penguins.

Desmith has been very good in Murray’s absence, and the Penguins have certainly found their groove in the New Year having won six of their nine games in 2018. The 26 year old allowed three goals on 65 combined shots in his two starts in California, and will now have to adjust to being back out east. Also, don’t expect the shooting to come to a halt, as the Hurricanes are the number one puck possession team in hockey, and will fire shots at will from the perimeter.

Though I don’t see the Hurricanes having much of an accuracy threat with the absence of Sebastian Aho, they have certainly had the matchup favor against the Penguins in the two meetings they have had this season. Carolina executed the puck possession game very well in those two games, and I don’t expect that the change in this one. Pittsburgh may be a little disoriented coming back home, and will have to be on absolutely high alert if they don’t want the Hurricanes to get some kind of cycle against them. It’s worth a shot fading them today.

Hurricanes moneyline +150 1*

Kings/Canucks:

The Los Angeles Kings will head out on a road trip, but will remain in the Pacific Time Zone tonight as they fly into Vancouver to face the Canucks.

I have said this before, but I will say it again. The Kings are the streakiest team in the NHL this season. Two nights ago, they just broke a six game losing streak with a win over the struggling New York Rangers. Today, they will have the benefit of playing another struggling team.

The Canucks were impressive through the first few weeks of the season, and semi-impressive through the first half. However, I think things may start to unravel for this rebuilding club right about now. Vancouver has now lost two straight off the break, and are not looking like a competent bunch as other teams get better. With the Kings finally getting their scoring back last game, and looking like they are doing the right mix of things, expect them to build off that and start stringing together a winning streak here on the road.

Kings moneyline -120 5*

Jets/Sharks:

The Winnipeg are coming off two wins since the break, and will now be looking to continue their winning ways in San Jose tonight.

There seems to be a switch hit with this Jets team, as they have only recorded 5 combined goals in their last four games, despite having won two of those games. Winnipeg appears to be showing their resilience on defense, just as much as their prowess up front. Today however, they may see another low scoring game, as they are going up against a team that doesn’t allow you to have much time with the puck.

Every team in the league is starting to become more and more aware of the Jets scoring ability, and the Sharks should be no different after already having been burned once by them in 2018. Expect San Jose to try to set the tone early, and then play keepaway. They will have that advantage to do so at home.

UNDER 5.5 -120 2*