Detroit Red Wings at Columbus Blue Jackets (-110, 5.5)
How do you get the taste of a 5-1 loss to the Maple Leafs out of your mouth?
Detroit has brushed its teeth about six times a day since laying an egg in Toronto Saturday night but it might just take a win to rid them off the aftertaste. But picking up that much needed win is easier said than done.
The Red Wings visit the Blue Jackets, who are coming off back-to-back wins. Columbus has fought hard for its current record – its last five games have been decided by one goal. The Jackets have been tough at home, going 4-1-0-2 to start the season.
Knowing they’re in for a war Wednesday, the Red Wings worked on winning the battles. Detroit focused on improving its power play which is just 1-for-18 over the last five games. That should sparked the team’s scoring, which has been limited over the last four games.
Goaltender Jimmy Howard will get the start between the pipes. He gave up five goals against the Edmonton Oilers in his most recent start and has just one victory in his last 10 appearances.
Pick: Over
Anaheim Ducks at New Jersey Devils (-131, 5.5)
The Ducks have got nice and comfy at the Honda Center, going 3-1 in their last four home games. That cushy ride is over with Anaheim embarking on a four-game road swing starting in New Jersey Wednesday night.
Adding to this rough patch of schedule is the goaltending controversy stirred up with the return of veteran keeper Jean-Sebastien Giguere. The former playoff MVP made it very clear to the franchise that he wants to be the No. 1 option over budding star Jonas Hiller, who is 6-5-1 with a 2.76 GAA.
"I'd rather retire than be a backup goalie," Giguere told the L.A. Daily News. "Something needs to happen. You get a guy like (Hiller) that's going to be a free agent at the end of the year and myself, making the money I'm making, either I'm leaving or he's leaving.
"I want to play; that's when I have fun. Right now, this is not fun."
Chances are, with Giguere’s laundry list of medical and personal issues, the team will side with Hiller. Needless to say, front office politics is not what the Ducks need to focus on heading into this road trip.
Pick: New Jersey
