Television ratings for the decisive game of the Stanley Cup finals were double the last Game 6 in 2006.
The Detroit Red Wings' clinching 3-2 victory Wednesday night over
the Pittsburgh Penguins drew a 4.4 overnight rating and a 7 share on
NBC, the network said yesterday. The Game 6 between Edmonton and
Carolina 2 years ago earned a 2.2.
The Red Wings claimed their fourth Stanley Cup in 11 years. Detroit
has been in the playoffs 17 straight seasons, the longest current run
among teams in any North American sport.
Tampa Bay Lightning @ Buffalo Sabres
11/13 "experts" at covers.com like the Lightning. They're won their last 7/8 on the road. Buffalo leads the series 2-0 this year. Lightning are 5-5 in their last 10. Buffalo is 6-4 in their last 10.
New York Islanders @ Washington Capitals
Washington is 9-3 in their last 12 home games. Islanders leads the series this year 2-1. Islanders are 4-6 in their last 10, but are on a 4-game winning steak. The Caps are 5-5 in their last 10.
Calgary Flames @ Dallas Stars
Dallas is 9-1 in their last 10. Calgary is 5-5 in their last 10. I would ride out the Stars.
The Flyers (my team) have now lost 7-straight games and have a tough test against the Senators tonight. They're clearly in a funk without Gagne (concussion) in the line-up. Although Ottawa is 2-6 in their last 8, games, they have to be smelling blood in the water. The consensus at covers.com is favoring the Penguins at home over the Panthers. Both teams are 6-4 in their last 10, but you have to like the way the Penguins have been playing without Crosby. Pittsburgh has won 4-straight games over the Panthers. I also like Nasvhille at home over Edmonton. Nashville has 6-straight wins over Edmonton.
Columbus Blue Jackets @ Detroit Red Wings
Usually Detroit is a safe play, but not lately. They've dropped 4-straight games to weak teams (Los Angeles, Toronto, Anaheim, and Nashville). Tonight they take on Columbus, who is 3-7 in their last 10. They should be able to snap this streak, but the line is incredibly high.
Atlanta Thrashers @ New Jersey Devils
The Devils are 3-0 against the thrashers this year. Both teams are 5-5 in their last 5 games. 60% of the covers.com consensus is siding with the Devils, I like them too.
Washington Capitals @ Florida Panthers
Both teams are 5-5 right now. The loss of Zednik hurts the Panthers. The Panthers are 1-9 in their last 10 as a favorite and are 2-9 in their last 11 home games. Those factors go in favor of taking the Capitals.
No games are really jumping out at me. The only one I would consider is Colorado at home over the Blues.
Montreal Canadiens @ Florida Panthers
13/15 "experts" and 63% of the consensus likes the Canadiens over the Panthers.
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Buffalo Sabres
I like the Sabres. They're 7-3 in their last 10. Toronto is 5-5 in their last 10.
The rest of the games are toss ups. The NHL has been crazy lately. There has been everything but consistency this year.
Carolina Hurricanes @ Boston Bruins
Bruins are 7-3 in their last 10. Hurricanes are 5-5 in their last 10. Carolina is 2-0 against Boston this year. Carolina is 16-5-1 in their last 22 meetings in Boston.
Phildelphia Flyers @ New York Islanders
The Islanders have lost 7-straight. The Flyers went 13-3, but have since lost 3 in a row and have lost players Gagne and Coburn. The Flyers have won all 3 meetings against the Isles this year, they'll need this one to stay in good position in the Atlantic.
Montreal Canadiens @ Tampa Bay Lighting
The Lightning are 6-4 in their last 10. The Canadiens are 5-5 in their last 10. Montreal leads the series 2-1 this year. Tampa Bay is 2-8 in their last 10 home games. Montreal is 8-3 in their last 11 meetings with Tampa Bay.
Buffalo Sabres @ Ottawa Senators
Ottawa is 4-1 against the Sabres this year. They've won 2-straight games at home over Montreal and Florida after they were slumping for a while. The Sabres have been solid lately: 6-2 in their last 8.
Detroit Red Wings @ Nashville Predators
After 8-straight wins, the Wings have lost 3 in a row (Anaheim, Toronto, Los Angeles). Nashville is 5-5 in their last 10. Detroit leads series 2-1. Home team is 9-3 in their last 12 meetings.
Los Angeles Kings @ St. Louis Blues
St. Louis has won 4-straight against the Kings. The Kings are surprisingly 4-3 on their recent road trip. The Blues are 2-8 in their last 10.
Minnesota Wild @ Edmonton Oilers
Oilers are 4-6 in their last 10. Wild are 6-4 in their last 10. Minnesota is 4-1 against the Oilers on the year.
Anaheim Ducks @ Colorado Avalanche
Anaheim has won 4 straight, but lost their previous 6. Colorado is 5-5 in their last 10. Anaheim won the sole meeting this year in overtime. Anaheim is 8-1 in their last 9 games following a win. Colorado is 6-2 in their last 8 games as an underdog.
Calgary Flames @ San Jose Sharks
Calgary leads series 2-1 this year. Both teams are 6-4 in their last 10. Calgary is 8-2 in their last 10 as an underdog.
Tonight I would take the Red Wings. You rarely go wrong taking them at home and the line isn't that high. The Ducks have been coming on lately, but they're not at the Red Wings level yet. The Ducks have 3-straight road wins after dropping their first 4 games on this recent road trip, but this road trip has to get to them.
