NHL Tuesday Lineup - Crosby's back in action
by Ian James
The Penguins team coming off a couple of good wins. The Penguins are finally getting good goaltending from Marc-Andre Fleury, perhaps in part to Pittsburgh’s front office making a deal to bring in goaltender Mathieu Garon, a move that has created some competition for the slumping Fleury.
The Toronto Maple Leafs, but had lost 5 straight going into that contest. Pittsburgh had a day of rest Monday while Carolina played in north of the border, and then traveled to Pittsburgh for 2 games in 2 nights. Pittsburgh got their captain Sidney Crosby back last game after he missed 1 with a knee injury. His points and leadership will be much needed tonight against a tired Hurricanes team.
NHL free pick: BetUS Pittsburgh (-1.5)
Nations capitals collide as when the NHL’s leading goal scorer and last season’s MVP, Alexander Ovechkin, brings his Ottawa tonight. Ovechkin scored his 30th and 31st goals last night to take the lead in the scoring race. Ottawa has been struggling all season and is looking for some form of team identity, as they’ve been playing so inconsistently all season. They struggle scoring goals and their goaltending has crumbled under the pressure of carrying the team, 2 key components to Ottawa’s weak overall record of 15-21-7. Washington is one of the hottest teams in the league in the last half of the season and are 30-14-3 overall. Washington’s fire power will be too much for Ottawa to handle.
NHL free pick: BetUS Washington (-1.5)
The Coyotes, having won 9 in a row overall and 7 straight in Phoenix. The Red Wings are 31-8-6 overall and have collected at least 1 point in 10 of their last 11 games. Phoenix has won 4 of 6 games, but comes home off an exhausting 4 game road streak where they went 2-2. A tired Coyotes team is home to play their final game before the long all-star break, and you can forgive them if they are looking past the Red Wings and to the break. Well, Gretzky won’t but you can.
NHL free pick: BetUS Detroit (-1.5)
