NHL Saturday – Three-Game Parlay

Game 1 Preview: Ottawa Senators at Boston Bruins  

The good news for Ottawa is that Milan Michalek is starting to make the Dany Heatley trade worthwhile. Although he may never reach 50 goals in a season, Michalek is already a better locker room guy than Heatley and his 11 goals so far in the season is nothing to shake a stick at. On the bad side, the Sens have lost starter Pascal Leclaire for a month after an errant puck smacked him in the face and broke his jaw. Brian Elliot is now the long term starter. Ouch. 

The Bruins have been inspired by the play of goalie Tuukka Rask. Rask has filled in admirably in the absence of star net-minder Tim Thomas, who is out with a broken hand. Any good news is welcome in Boston, whose injury troubles reach beyond the crease. Milan Lucic, who just came back after missing weeks with a broken finger, is day-to-day with a leg injury he suffered in Wednesday’s matchup against Minnesota. His quick return to the lineup is imperative to the Bruins success in the near future.  

Pick: Boston Bruins

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Game 2 Preview: Calgary Flames at Columbus Blue Jackets 

The Flames are coming off a solid 2-1 victory over the Coyotes on Wednesday.  That win was only their second at home in six games, so the team might enjoy a few days away from the Saddledome. But wherever they are, Jarome Iginla will still probably score. The man has been on fire in the month of November, recording 14 points in 11 games.  Iginla’s spark has been felt by the rest of the team, and has taken a ton of pressure off of Mikka Kiprusoff. Kipper has responded by playing some of his best hockey of the season.  

As hot as Kipper has been lately, Steve Mason has been just as cold. Last season’s Calder Trophy winner is looking nothing like it, letting up 10 goals in his last three games; all losses. If he doesn’t improve quickly, his team’s season can come to an abrupt end. Columbus’ return to the playoffs lives and dies with the play of Mason.  

Pick: Calgary Flames 

Game 3 Preview: Washington Capitals at Montreal Canadiens

The Capitals are being ravaged by injuries, and youngsters like Jay Beagle, Mathieu Perrault and Tyler Sloan are being called up from the AHL and forced to contribute. The Caps have struggled with their barely-legal team; they’re 2-2-2 in their last six.

They beat the Sabres 2-0 on Wednesday, but it was a Buffalo team that’s experiencing more problems than the Caps are. Alex Ovechkin was ejected from Washington’s game against Buffalo for a dirty hit, so he could come back Saturday with a chip on his shoulder. Not good for the Canadiens.  

The Habs are also plagued by injuries, with the likes of Brian Gionta, Scott Gomez and Hal Gill all missing time. But Carey Price has been playing very solid as of late, not allowing more than three goals in a game all month. With the injuries, role players like Marc-Andre Bergeron are stepping up. Bergeron scored a pair in Montreal’s win over Columbus on Tuesday. Still, the Habs are shorthanded; one should be wary to pick them over a talented-team like Washington. 

Pick: Washington Capitals