NHL 3 Game Parlays: Caps vs Leafs, Flyers vs Devils, Canes vs Sens

Game 1 Preview: Washington Capitals @ Toronto Maple Leafs

The Capitals are the best team in the league, but they always seem to be down a superstar. However, they never really seem to miss him that much. Alexander Semin missed most of November, but the Capitals played on without missing a beat. Last week, when Alex Ovechkin was suspended for a pair of games, Washington went 2-0 and outscored opponents 14-4. Now Semyon Varlamov is out with an injury. Recent history indicates the Capitals will be able to deal with it.

The Leafs are playing their best hockey of the season. Despite losing 5-2 to Boston on Thursday, Toronto has become a more complete team, even without goaltender Jonas Gustavsson, who is out with a heart ailment. Much of the praise goes to Phil Kessel. And although he’s deserving, the recent play of Vesa Toskala should get some consideration as well. Toskala is public enemy number one in Toronto, yet he gave the Leafs their first two-game home winning streak earlier in the week. After a horrid start, the Leafs are finally in a real hunt for a playoff spot.

Pick: Washington Capitals

Game 2 Preview: Philadelphia Flyers @ New Jersey Devils

The Flyers have not had a good fourteen days. Last week they fired head coach John Stevens and replaced him with Peter Laviolette. It hasn’t helped, as the Flyers have lost five of their last six. They were most recently shut out 2-0, at home, against the Ottawa Senators. What’s worse is that starting goalie Ray Emery, a lone bright spot in the recent weeks, tore an abdominal muscle and will be out for the next six weeks. Not good times for a team that was destined for the Stanley Cup.

The New Jersey Devils, however, are playing some of their best hockey. Especially at home. The Devils have won nine of their last ten at the Prudential Center, and are playing with a little bit of extra emotion on their side. Each game they play could be the one where Martin Brodeur breaks the shutout record. You know he and his teammates would love to do it at home, so you know they’re going to try that little extra harder, especially against a divisional rival.

Pick: New Jersey Devils

Game 3 Preview: Carolina Hurricanes @ Ottawa Senators

The Hurricanes have been one of the worst teams in the league all year, and there isn’t much hope on the horizon. Sure Cam Ward is back, but if there is no one in front of him scoring or playing any defense, there really isn’t much Ward can do. They only have one road win all season, and they aren’t playing like another one is going to come by any sooner. For a team that made it to the Eastern Conference Finals just a season ago, this is a very embarrassing and very surprising fall from grace.

The Senators are coming off a big 2-0 win over the Flyers on Thursday. It was a nice win for Ottawa, only the second in their last six games. There are bright spots on the Senators, they just need them all to shine at the same time. Mike Fisher has been brilliant this season and may play himself into a roster spot for Team Canada. Milan Michalek, who the Sens got in the Dany Heatley trade, leads the team with 15 goals. There is still talent in Canada’s Capital, they just need to know how to use it to its full capabilities.

Pick: Ottawa Senators

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