NHL: Avoid the Flyers game, try the Islanders

Hurricanes (16-17-5) +100 @ Flyers -120 (15-19-5) 7 pm

If there is a game you should stay far, far away from tonight, it’s this one. This is a battle between two teams who can’t seem to find their identities. Carolina started off the season scorching hot but regressed to the mean and settled in near the bottom of the standings. Philly has some of the best forwards in the league but still cant manage to keep it together no matter how many goals they score. The Flyers are also riding a 4-game losing streak while the Hurricanes have only won three of their last 10 games. Carolina’s defensive prowess versus Philly’s offensive potential is just too tough to call tonight. Maybe take the over if you’re feeling really lucky, but that is as far as we’ll go.

Blackhawks (15-21-6) +145 @ Islanders (21-13-4) -170 7:30 pm

Pick: Islanders to cover the spread -1.5 +155

This season Chicago has been an unmitigated disaster across the board, even with the likes of F Patrick Kane and F Jonathan Towes. They are currently owning a -32 goal differential on the season. They simply do not look like the Blackhawks of days past.

New York on the other hand is currently riding a four-game winning streak into the New Year and show no signs of slowing down. They are three points out of third place in the Metropolitan Division and are playing like they are on a mission. We think the Islanders take this one easily, and by a lot. Hammer New York tonight.