Posted on 2/13/2008 6:43:40 PM

NHL Wagering Action – Wednesday Night Games

By Dave Golokhov

Ottawa Senators (34-19-4) @ New Jersey Devils (31-21-4)

The Ottawa Senators have a two-man rotation in net and hence a very shaky situation. With 15 years of service from Martin Brodeur, the New Jersey Devils are at the other end of the spectrum.

While Ray Emery has been the hot goalie for the Senators, Martin Gerber might get the start since Ottawa is playing on back-to-back nights. Gerber plays well against the Devils and is 3-0-1 in his last four games versus New Jersey.

The Senators are playing on back-to-back nights, which they are 7-5 in those situations. The Devils are rested, though, and a 6-3 in games when they have three days or more of rest.

The under is typically a strong play when these two teams meet up. It has hit in 21 of their last 27 meetings.

Toronto Maple Leafs (23-25-9) @ Buffalo Sabres (27-21-8)

The Toronto Maple Leafs have been one of the worst teams in the league this season but just as a firesale is set to approach at the trade deadline, the Leafs have started playing their best hockey. The Leafs have won three of their last four games.

The Buffalo Sabres were also expected to be on the outside of the playoffs looking in but have come out guns a blazin’ after the All-Star break. The Sabres have won seven of their last nine games and are averaging 3.33 goals per game in that span.

Buffalo has dominated this series, particularly game at the HSBC Arena. They are 20-7-6 at home versus the Maple Leafs since 1996.

The Leafs are a rested group but that hasn’t been a positive for them over the last three years. The are 1-4 this year and 4-12 overall in the last three years when having three days or more of rest.

Boston Bruins (28-23-5) @ Pittsburgh Penguins (32-19-5)

The Pittsburgh Penguins were supposed to stumble out of the playoff race after Sidney Crosby went down with an ankle injury. But even without their superstar, they have still thrived lately and are right in the thick of things.

They look to win their fourth straight game as the Boston Bruins come to town on Wednesday.

While the Penguins have won five of their last seven games, the Bruins have headed in the opposite direction. They have lost four of five and can’t score enough goals to win. The Bruins have averaged 2.2 goals per game over their recent slump. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh has scored at least four goals in each of their wins during their recent hot streak.

This series typically plays over. Seven of the last 10 meetings have gone over.

Montreal Canadiens (29-19-9) @ Florida Panthers (26-27-5)

After climbing within one point of the Eastern Conference lead, the Montreal Canadiens sit fourth in the standings and are mired in a three-game losing streak.

The Florida Panthers are back at home after a successful five-game road trip. The Panthers won three of those road games and have four of six overall.

Five of the last six Panthers’ games have gone over the total and the over is 5-2 in the second game of Habs back-to-back games, but three of the last four games in this series have stayed under.

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