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posted February 20, 2008 at 18:19 in NHL Articles

Here’s a look at some of the big hockey games happening tonight:

San Jose Sharks @ New Jersey Devils

The San Jose Sharks are on their longest road trip of the season and it is not helping matters that they can’t win outside of their conference. They are 1-4 against the East this season.

But non-conference games haven’t been their only problem of late, they have lost four straight overall.

They head to New Jersey on Wednesday night to face one of the league’s hottest teams. The Devils are 4-0-1 in their last five and have climbed to the top of the Atlantic Division thanks to their recent surge.

The Devils are 4-2-1 in their last seven home games against the Sharks.

Free Pick: New Jersey

New York Islanders @ Washington Capitals

Two teams who are battling for post-season positioning will meet on Wednesday night as they both try to use the back door to get into the playoffs.

The Islanders have been one of the streakiest teams in the NHL of late. After losing seven straight games they have bounced back to win four consecutive games and now looks to post their longest winning streak since 2003.

The difference between the skidding and smoking for the Islanders has been goal scoring. They’ve averaged four goals per game during their hot streak.

This series is dominated by the Islanders. They have won two straight and 10 of the last 13 games in this series.

The Capitals are 4-9 in home games where the total is 5.5.

Free Pick: Washington

Calgary Flames @ Dallas Stars

The Calgary Flames are off a key win on Wednesday night in Phoenix and will now try to win on back-to-back nights – something they haven’t had a ton of problems doing this season.

The Flames are 5-2 on the back end of consecutive games in consecutive nights. They will have to be sharp as they head to Dallas – a team that has won nine of their last 10 games.

Dallas has lost only once at home to the Flames over the last three seasons while 12 of the last 17 meetings in Dallas have gone over the total.

The Stars scored only one goal in their latest win – a 1-0 shutout over the Detroit Red Wings – and are 8-2 this season after scoring one goal or less in their previous game. The Stars are also on two days rest. They are 8-1 in those games.

Free Pick: Dallas

Colorado Avalanche @ Anaheim Ducks

It seems like the pieces are fallen into place for another run at the Stanley Cup for the Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks have won six of their last seven games. Not coincidentally, Teemu Selanne returned seven games ago.

The Avs haven’t had a lot of success traveling into Anaheim looking for wins. They are 2-5 at the Duck Pond over the last three seasons.

But the Avs need wins in the most desperate way. They sit in 11th place in the Western Conference and will find themselves even lower in the standings if they can’t snap their four-game losing streak. They have scored only three goals in that span.

The Ducks are 12-6 after scoring four or more goals in their previous game.

Free Pick: Anaheim

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