PREMIUM
The Coach's TEN STAR NHL Total MASSACRE!
(NHL) Anaheim vs. Minnesota,
Total: 5.50 | 105.00 Over
Result: Win
Total: 5.50 | 105.00 Over
Result: Win
The Anaheim Ducks are off three consecutive losses and now find themselves tied for the Western Conference lead with both the Blues and the Predators. They fell 6-3 at Calgary Wednesday, but I expect a much tighter and better defensive performance from the visitors tonight. They'll need it as goals won't come by easy visiting one of the NHL's best defensive teams of late, the Minnesota Wild. It's tough to call a winner in what I expect to be a very close contest, but I see great value on the under.
Here are my keys to the game:
1. Goaltending - Minnesota's Devan Dubnyk has been a revelation since joining the club from Arizona. The 28 year old is an astounding 19-4-1 behind a 1.67 GAA over 25 appearances. With John Gibson putting up a disappointing performance in the Ducks goal Wednesday they're likely to turn back to Fredrik Andersen here. He's an impressive 14-4-3 posting a 2.35 GAA over 22 road outings for the season and is 5-2-1 with a 1.76 GAA over his last eight away from home. He's a big reason why four of the Ducks last five away from home have gone under the total.
2. Poor Power Play - Don't expect much action on the man advantage here as two of the worst power play units in the NHL will be matched up. The hosts are converting on a lowly 14.9% of their opportunities, and their power play goal against the Devils Tuesday was their first over eight games. The Ducks also notched a goal on the man advantage their last time out but had gone nine games without a power play goal prior. They're converting on only 17% of their chances on the season and will be up against the best penalty kill in the NHL here.
3. X-Factor - Corey Perry is leading the Ducks with his 28 goals for the season but has found the net only once over his last five games.
Selection: This is a play on the total to go UNDER (10*)
Here are my keys to the game:
1. Goaltending - Minnesota's Devan Dubnyk has been a revelation since joining the club from Arizona. The 28 year old is an astounding 19-4-1 behind a 1.67 GAA over 25 appearances. With John Gibson putting up a disappointing performance in the Ducks goal Wednesday they're likely to turn back to Fredrik Andersen here. He's an impressive 14-4-3 posting a 2.35 GAA over 22 road outings for the season and is 5-2-1 with a 1.76 GAA over his last eight away from home. He's a big reason why four of the Ducks last five away from home have gone under the total.
2. Poor Power Play - Don't expect much action on the man advantage here as two of the worst power play units in the NHL will be matched up. The hosts are converting on a lowly 14.9% of their opportunities, and their power play goal against the Devils Tuesday was their first over eight games. The Ducks also notched a goal on the man advantage their last time out but had gone nine games without a power play goal prior. They're converting on only 17% of their chances on the season and will be up against the best penalty kill in the NHL here.
3. X-Factor - Corey Perry is leading the Ducks with his 28 goals for the season but has found the net only once over his last five games.
Selection: This is a play on the total to go UNDER (10*)