NHL News: Julien in Montreal, Bruins Resurrected & NYR After 7th Straight

In our NHL news, we can see that teams are trying to make things happen in order to get to the second season, the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The road to the playoffs is a tricky one and certainly there are some teams that look like they will definitely make it this season.

For sports bettors, we’re looking at which teams in the league are the hottest. Plus, we see what’s happening with the Bruins and Montreal as both shuffle coaches. Finally, we consider the Rangers and their game with the Islanders tonight. Here’s our 2016-17 Week 19 NHL News.

Hottest of the Hot

There are two teams in the Eastern Conference that have won six games in a row. The Washington Capitals, who are first in the conference with 84 points and a 39-11-6 record, have won a half-dozen straight. The Caps GF/GA differential of +71 is the best in the NHL. Over their past 10, Washington has gone 8-2-0. The team is first in the Metropolitan Division.

The New York Rangers, who are also 8-2-0 for their last 10 games, have also won six straight. With 75 points, they’re in fourth place in the East. The team’s +45 differential in GF/GA is third best in the league. The Rangers are fourth in the Metropolitan Division, holding onto a wild card spot.

In the Western Conference, the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues are on five-game winning streaks. Over the last 10 games, each team has a 7-3-0 record. Chicago, with 75 points, is second in the Western Conference and also second in the Central Division. The Blues are third in the Central and sixth in the conference with 65 points.

Bruins Win as Julien Goes To Habs

The Bruins fired coach Claude Julien on February 7 and since then have won three straight, beating San Jose, Vancouver and Montreal. The Montreal win, which was a 4-0 shutout in Boston, had an especially surreal footnote as the Canadiens fired head coach Michel Therrien two days after the loss and hired the Bruins’ recently let-go coach Claude Julien to replace him.

This season under Therrien, the Canadiens were 31-19-8 and 3-6-1 for their last 10. They are fifth in the Eastern Conference and first in the Atlantic but struggling. The Bruins had been struggling too under Julien who had guided them to a 26-23-6 record. Boston is seventh in the conference and third in the Atlantic and have a 6-4-0 record for their last 10. Bruce Cassidy was named interim coach.

NYR Plays NYI

The New York Rangers will try to extend their winning streak tonight against the rival New York Islanders. The Rangers beat the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday 3-2. This season against the Islanders, they are 1-1 with each club winning at home. Over their last six meetings, the Islanders are 5-1. In tonight’s game, the Rangers are favored minimally at -115 and Islanders are the underdog at -110. The puckline offers the Rangers at +260 and Islanders at -310. We have a complete analysis of the Rangers/Islanders matchup and a free pick. The puck will be dropped at 7 p.m. ET.

2016-17 Week 19 NHL News: Final Thoughts

Here are some quick final thoughts regarding our 2016-17 Week 19 NHL News. First, the Canadiens will not be in action until Feb. 18 as they are enjoying their bye-week. That game, which will be their first under Julien, will be in Montreal against Winnipeg. The Bruins are also on their bye-week. They will play again on Sunday, Feb. 19 against the San Jose Sharks as they start a four-game road trip.