Feb 6 - The Daily Breakdown

TheDB · 02-06-17, 05:41 PM

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. New York Islanders // Feb 6

Drop the puck

The Toronto Maple Leafs (24-17-9) and the New York Islanders (22-18-10) engage in an Eastern Conference match tonight in Brooklyn. The Leafs are right behind the Philadelphia Flyers for the final Wild Car spot, and although Toronto is two points behind Philadelphia, the Leafs have three games in hand. The Islanders have been on a roll lately and find themselves only three points behind Toronto.

Turning a new leaf

Mike Babcock has made good on his promise this season to make the Leafs competitive. Whether they are on the road or at home, the Leafs have maintained a winning record and head south with a 12-9-6 away from Toronto.

The Leafs are the only team in the league outside the playoffs with a positive goal differential (+6). They’ve leaned on strong offensive unit that is 6th in the league and have averaged3.1 goals per game. The Leafs’ special teams units have also been well above average this season. Their power play unit is 2nd in the league and has converted 23.3 per cent of the time with the man advantage. Their play on the penalty kill is not too far behind either; they are 6th in the league with 83.7 per cent success.

The Leafs are coming off a 6-5 win over the Boston Bruins that snapped their three-game losing streak.

The new New York Islanders

Once interim head coach Doug Weight stepped in it seems the mentality and confidence around the Islanders changed. Even though New York is coming off back-to-back losses, the Islanders are 7-2-2 in their last 11 games. In that span they have scored 40 goals and have given up 27.

This game may be a high-scoring affair. Like the Leafs, the Islanders have fought back into the playoff conversation thanks to their offensive play. The Isles have averaged 2.9 goals per game that which is 7th best in the league.

Thomas Greiss will likely get the start tonight. He is 7-3-3 since being heralded as the Isles’ starting goalie.

The Final Breakdown

The Leafs are 7-4 as a road dog in Long Island in their last 11 games. Leafs played a heck of a game in Boston on Saturday and have yet again shown their ability to steal a win on the road. Loving them as a road dog again tonight.

Toronto Maple Leafs ML (+110) 1u

TheDB · 02-06-17, 06:01 PM

St. Louis Blues vs. Philadelphia Flyers // Feb 6

At the dot

The Philadelphia Flyers (26-20-7) host another Western Conference team tonight when they take on the St. Louis Blues (25-22-5). Both teams will have a fight to the finish in their respective conferences to make the playoffs.

Blues on Broadstreet

The St. Louis Blues find themselves in a spot that they haven’t the past couple seasons: outside the playoff picture. The Blues are two points behind the Calgary Flames for the final Wild Card spot, but have three games in hand. Tonight’s match is one of those games while most of the other teams have the night off.

When comparing the Blues to the other teams, statistically, they should easily be in a playoff position. In goals for (10th), penalty kill percentage (9th), and power play percentage (6th), the Blue are top-10 in each category. However, their defence has been killing them. They average 3.1 goals against which is 26th in the league.

Away from home, the Blues are 8-13-1 on the road this season and are 4-6 in their past 10 games overall.

Broadstreet goonies

The Flyers are holding onto the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference but have five teams with five points or less hot on their heals. At home, the Flyers have played their best hockey and have a 16-7-4 in Philly. In their last 10 games, the Flyers are 5-4-1.
Even though the Flyers are one of the worst defensive teams in the league—25th with an average of three goals against—they are coming off their best defensive game against the LA Kings with a 1-0 win. Michal Neuvirth is expected to start again tonight as the Flyers stick with his hot hand over Steve Mason. Neuvirth is 2-0-1 in his last three starts.

The Final Breakdown

The Blues have a history of struggling when facing the Flyers in Philadelphia. Since 1989, they are 4-14-2 on the road in Philly… The Blues also just haven't been themselves this season and I believe that the adrenaline from the coaching change has already worn off. Looking for a strong performance by the Flyers at home.

Philadelphia Flyers (-120) 1u