NHL Wednesday 2 Game Parlay

New York Rangers and Montreal Canadiens in action

Two of the NHL’s five worst teams take to the ice on Wednesday night in what could be winnable games. Carolina and Tampa Bay will try to gain a little respect with wins over teams that occupy Eastern Conference playoff spots.

Carolina Hurricanes (16-28-7) @ New York Rangers (24-22-7)
When: 7:00 PM ET, Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York

-The New York Rangers rank 26th on offense, and average 2.5 goals per game. The Rangers are 18.5% on the power play and have 36 power play goals.
-The Carolina Hurricanes rank 27th on offense, and average 2.5 goals per game. The Hurricanes are 17.8% on the power play and have 37 power play goals.
-The Rangers average 3.0 goals per game at home, and give up 2.7 goals against on defense.
-The Hurricanes average 2.2 goals per game on the road, and give up 3.5 goals against on defense.
-Carolina has the third worst defense in the league, allowing 3.4 goals per game.

Carolina Hurricanes -+135

It’s pretty hard to like this team at all! Carolina is in 2nd last place and look to be going nowhere. Rumors persist that Ray Whitney (top scorer) and Matt Cullen (fourth highest scorer) will probably be traded. Even against an ice-cold Rangers lineup, the Hurricanes will be outmatched.

New York Rangers - -155

Not much to like about the Rangers either. They have been shut out in two of the past three games and with a 3-5-2 record in their last 10 games, it is a miracle that they are still in seventh spot in the Eastern Conference. Besides Marion Gaborik, this team has nothing on Offense. The only thing that the Rangers have going for them on Wednesday night is the fact that they are playing Carolina. 

Pick: New York Rangers -155

Montreal Canadiens (25-24-5) @ Tampa Bay Lightning (21-20-10)
When: 7:00 PM ET, Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Where: St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, Florida

-The Tampa Bay Lightning rank 25th on offense, and average 2.5 goals per game. The Lightning are 19.3% on the power play and have 41 power play goals.
-The Montreal Canadiens rank 22nd on offense, and average 2.6 goals per game. The Canadiens are 24.7% on the power play and have 40 power play goals.
-The Lightning average 2.8 goals per game at home, and give up 2.2 goals against on defense.
-The Canadiens average 2.5 goals per game on the road, and give up 2.9 goals against on defense.

Montreal Canadiens - +115

Montreal started their road trip on Tuesday night with a loss against the very beatable Panthers team. The Canadiens have been plagued by inconsistency all year and their place in the Eastern Conference standings has yo-yoed because of it. This is a tough team to figure out. Look for an inspired  performance Wednesday night - the Habs need to win to keep pace in the East.

Tampa Bay Lightning - -135

For as bad as the Lightning have seemed, they are still above 500.  That means that they are an OK team I guess. Heck, they are only three points behind the Canadiens.  Tampa Bay has the lineup that should be able to contend.  Chances are that they make a run at the playoffs - that they have gotten their worst hockey out of the way. On Wednesday night however, they are facing a desperate team.

Pick: Montreal Canadiens +115