The NHL All-Star weekend is over and we’re now in the second half of the regular season. The second half is an exciting part of the year that features deadline trades and teams fighting for a playoff spot. This will be tonight’s matchup analysis and predictions.
FLYERS (19-23-6) vs JETS (31-15-2)
7 p.m. ET
The Flyers will go for a season-high four straight wins if they beat the Winnipeg Jets tonight. Players like James Van Riemsdyk (six goals, two assists in his past five games) and Sean Couturier (four goals, six assists in the past six games) have been hot for the Flyers. The team does well when goaltender prospect Carter Hart is on net. The 20-year-old goaltender is expected to start in net tonight.
The Jets are 6-2-0 in their last eight games. They will be without key players Dustin Byfuglien (lower body) and Nikolaj Ehlers (upper body) for tonight’s matchup. They will have All-Star Mark Scheifele in the line-up, who has 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in his past eight games. This matchup will be a fun one to watch as both teams will try and maintain their winning ways.
Prediction: Flyers upset.
PENGUINS (26-16-6) vs DEVILS (18-23-7)
7 p.m. ET
The Pittsburgh Penguins will face a struggling New Jersey Devils team at PPG Paints Arena. Sidney Crosby will be returning as the MVP of the All-Star game. Crosby is playing his best hockey scoring 19 points (five goals, 14 assists) in his past 13 games. Goaltender Matt Murray will be in net tonight and hopes to get his 11th win in the last 12 starts. In his last 11 starts he is 10-1-0 with a 1.81 goals-against average, .944 save percentage and two shutouts. The Devils are 2-6-0 and had been on a three-game losing streak.
This season has been a disappointment for the Devils organization. Last year they made the playoffs and had Taylor Hall win the Hart Trophy. Devils forward Miles Wood will return to the lineup after missing the previous three games. Keith Kinkaid is expected to start in net against the Penguins. He had been successful against the Penguins this season being 2-0-0 with a 1.50 GAA. Tonight’s matchup could be an upset alert but the Penguins have been in great form.
Prediction: Pittsburgh wins in overtime.