Prior to Thursday’s loss, the Pittsburgh Penguins had secured victories in three consecutive games and five out of their last six matches. However, Washington managed to recover from their defeat against Pittsburgh on Tuesday and emerged victorious with a 5-2 scoreline in their most recent encounter.
There will be no respite in this year’s schedule. Following the NHL’s division realignment for 2021, each game carries significant weight in shaping the playoff scenario.
Penguins fans will get another opportunity to place bets in West Virginia sportsbooks next week, following their games against the Islanders over the weekend. The Pittsburgh team is set to face their in-state rivals, the Philadelphia Flyers, next Tuesday night on NBCSN.
Despite playing two additional games, both teams are currently tied in the East Division with 21 points.
In addition to the exciting hockey action, the NBA also presents a highly anticipated upcoming schedule.
The struggling Lakers host the surprising Phoenix Suns in Los Angeles on Tuesday evening. Without Anthony Davis, the reigning champs aim to turn their luck around in the nationally televised game on TNT.
On ESPN, the Houston Rockets will be hosting the Brooklyn Nets, along with their well-known player, James Harden, on Wednesday.
Now, let’s examine these matchups more closely and determine which teams could potentially have the upper hand in NHL betting.
Penguins-Flyers preview
Next week, Pittsburgh has the chance to seek vengeance against one of its main rivals while simultaneously climbing up the standings.
Next week, the team will have three consecutive matchups against the Flyers, starting with the first game on Tuesday.
The Flyers handled their business in their previous two meetings. They emerged victorious over the Pens with a 6-3 win, followed by a 5-2 triumph to kick off the new season.
After their initial misstep, the Penguins have successfully bounced back and are currently showcasing impressive skills on the ice.
Jake Guentzel, a skilled left-winger, has been in exceptional form during the month of February. He has amassed an impressive total of 10 points in a mere nine games, with four of those points coming in his most recent three games.
Currently, Guentzel has taken over the top spot for the Penguins, leading in both points and goals.
Pittsburgh has a worrisome situation where none of its key players possess a favorable goal differential while on the ice. The top five point leaders all possess a negative plus-minus rating, except for Sidney Crosby who stands at an even 0.
Kasperi Kapanen, the right wing player, is currently leading the team with a +7 rating, while surprisingly, the veteran Evgeni Malkin holds the lowest rating on the Pens at -8.
In order to ensure a successful campaign, a prompt change is imperative. In the NHL, it is crucial to have dependable top lines that can secure and sustain leads.
When using WV online sports betting apps, bettors can anticipate a closely contested game with a narrow line. The Flyers, a skilled team, are also carrying high hopes for the season.
Boston and Washington are ahead of both teams by three points in the division standings.
Philly’s James van Riemsdyk has had an outstanding beginning, accumulating an impressive total of 22 points throughout 16 games. Notably, he currently leads the team in both goals and assists.
It will be intriguing to witness the goaltender choice the Flyers make, considering that while the young Carter Hart is their typical starter, backup Brian Elliott consistently outperforms him.
Elliott has an average of 2.38 goals against per game, while Hart’s average is 3.61.
Despite having similar moneyline odds to win Tuesday’s game, the Penguins are expected to display a sense of urgency. It would be surprising if the game ends with less than six goals.
NBA betting at WV sportsbooks
Suns vs. Lakers
The Lakers are going through their most challenging phase in recent memory. The reigning champions have suffered defeat in their last four consecutive games and five out of the last six.
The defeat suffered on Thursday night against the Jazz, who currently top the conference, was extremely disheartening.
LA is not the only team facing challenges due to injuries and absences. COVID-19 protocols and a packed schedule have led to frequent player absences throughout the league.
However, the absence of Davis and starting point guard Dennis Schroder has significantly impacted the Lakers. It appears that LeBron James is carrying a heavy burden, while his supporting teammates are not adequately fulfilling their roles.
Adding to their challenges, the team is currently facing some of the top-performing teams in the league. This pattern persists as they gear up to compete against the Suns in the upcoming week.
With just one game behind the Lakers, Phoenix holds the fourth place in the Western Conference standings.
The Suns have been performing exceptionally well in their recent games, winning 9 out of their last 11 matches. Consequently, they are expected to have a slight advantage in this upcoming contest.
If the Lakers fail to show improvement in their two upcoming games, it is conceivable that the Suns’ spread might narrow down to approximately five or six points.
Before placing your bet, make sure to review the starting lineups and roster updates for both teams.
Rockets vs. Nets
Harden’s first game against his former team will add an intriguing twist to Wednesday night’s prime time game when the Nets visit Houston.
Despite Kevin Durant’s absence, the Brooklyn Nets have managed to secure victory in eight consecutive games. As a result, they have climbed to the second position in the conference standings, trailing the Sixers by only half a game.
It is undeniable that Harden has elevated his performance to a whole new level following the trade. In addition to his consistent scoring, he has significantly increased his ability to distribute the ball to his teammates.
Harden’s performance on the court is nothing short of remarkable, with an astonishing average of 24.9 points, 11.4 assists, and 8.5 rebounds per game.
Once Durant is back in action, this team will have a genuine shot at winning the championship.
It is likely that the Nets will be considered significant favorites by WV sportsbooks prior to this game.
After making the deal, the Rockets initially experienced a successful streak, but unfortunately, their performance has taken a nosedive since then. Their recent track record shows nine consecutive losses.
The Rockets, despite John Wall’s consistent scoring of over 20 points per game with a shooting percentage of approximately 43%, lack the necessary components to succeed.
Even if the game’s outcome lacks excitement, it will still be enjoyable to witness Harden’s performance. There is a chance that the Rockets might be motivated and make the game much closer than expected, despite the potentially wide point spread.
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