Satuday NHL

[HitKing]

Looks like NHL takes a back seat to football on Saturdays! :D

Going with this total for today...

(NHL) NY Rangers@Columbus

2* OVER 5.5 -105

The Rangers are playing their 2nd of two back-to-back road games. Last night, in a pitiful defensive performance against a Wild club supposedly lacking in offense, the Rangers allowed 5 goals on just 19 shots. After a poor year (2.59 GAA, .904 SP) in Edmonton, goalie Jusi Markkanen gets his first start as a Ranger. He'll be opposed by Marc Denis (3.09 GAA, .903 SP last year) in net for C-Bus. In two games against Denis last year, New York won 5-3 at home and lost 6-3 away. In Markkanen's only start in Columbus, the Oilers and Jackets played to a 3-3 tie. The Rangers have always struggled when playing without rest, especially defensively. They are 1-10-3 in their last 14 without rest, and the over was 10-4 in those games. The over is 11-1 when Columbus is hosting a team in the 2nd of two away without rest.

GLTA!

HitKing

EvenYourOdds (http://www.evenyourodds.com)

[HitKing]

Bonus total for those interested...

(NHL) NY Islanders@Buffalo

1* Under 5 +100

After the Sabres found their long-lost offense in the preseason, it disappeared again in the season opener. They managed only 17 shots in the 2-0 loss to Phily. Ryan Miller gets the start in net for Buffalo again tonight. The 2 goals he allowed last time were both on third period power plays, but he stopped all 24 shots when the teams were at even strength. Although the Caps got 6 goals on the Isles last time out, those all came against Garth Snow. He was pulled midway through the 2nd in favor of Rick DiPietro, who shut Washington down the rest of the way. He gets the call tonight. Buffalo doesn't usually get a big lead on anyone, so expect the Isles to stick with the neutral-zone trap throughout. Both teams were unimpressive on the power play last year, but their penalty killing ranked in the top half of the league. The under is 10-2 in the last 12 meetings, with the loser held to 1 or 0 goals in 11 of those contests. The under is currently on a 3-0 run.

HitKing

EvenYourOdds (http://www.evenyourodds.com)