NHL New Year

SUGAR'S 2014 HOLIDAY SEASON LOCKZ

Christmas is over and if you're like me, you're broke as a joke from buying Chrimmus presents for your family and significant other.  Don't worry though, while you're sitting around avoiding checking the balance on your bank account I'm over here throwing together a full plate of stone cold hockey locks.  That mortgage payment is due whether you like it or not and your spoiled kid probably needs a new iphone.  Go ahead and throw whatever money you have left on these picks and rest easy because tomorrow you'll be a rich man.

Winnipeg (+130) @ Minnesota

Winnipeg is 3-2 in their last 5 and is coming off a decisive 5-1 win against Chicago. Minnesota is 1-4 in their last 5 and riding a 4 game losing streak.  The Jets have been playing good hockey lately and seem to have found a solution to the lack of offensive production they faced earlier this season.  Chicago doesn't lose many games in general and very rarely are they dealt a beating like Winnipeg handed them 4 days ago.  

OVER/UNDER Pick: OVER 5 (-140)

Detroit -1.5 (+230) @ Ottawa

Detroit hit a bit of a slump in December and as a result head into tonight 1-4 in their last 5.  None of their loses, however, came as a result of being outplayed.  The issue was a combination of poor shot selection and just bad luck.  I think the tide has turned though and point to their last game, a 6-3 win over Buffalo, as evidence.  Ottawa is 2-3 in their last 5 and sit 2nd to last in the Atlantic Division with 34 points. After a good win and a couple days off to rest I think Detroit is in a good position. They sit 1 point behind Tampa and Montreal for 1st place in their division.  I expect Babcock to have his guys ready to go on the road tonight and keep the race for the division tight.

OVER/UNDER Pick: OVER 5 (-145)

Carolina @ Tampa -1.5 (+130)

To put it lightly, Carolina is bad.  The Canes have 24 points, sit dead last in the East, and 2nd to last in the entire NHL.  Tampa's dynamic offense, lead by Steven Stamkos, will more than likely put on a scoring clinic tonight.  Carolina has no chance at playoffs and is already looking forward to the draft and rebuilding for next season.  

OVER/UNDER Pick: OVER 5.5 (+110)

NY Islanders -1.5 (+150) @ Buffalo

The Islanders head into tonight 4-1 in their last 5 with wins over Tampa, Detroit, and Chicago in that span.  It's safe to say that the Islanders of old are a thing of the past.  This team is talented, young, and playing very well.  Buffalo, on the other hand, is still the same ole Sabres.  They're 1-4 in their last 5 heading into tonight.  They've lost their last 4 games and have been out scored by an average of 3 goals.  If other words, they aren't even coming close to winning most games.  Watch for Tavares and Okposo to go to work for the Islanders on the road.

OVER/UNDER Pick: UNDER 5.5 (-125)

Anaheim -1.5 (+180) @ Arizona 

Anaheim and Arizona are 3-2 and 2-3 in their last 5, respectively.  The Ducks sit in first place in their division, the West, and the entire NHL.  Meanwhile, Arizona is 2nd to last in their division and the Western Conference witjh only Edmonton below them. Anaheim hit a rough patch when several of their best players were struck with the flu yet still managed to remain atop the entire league.  This speaks to the depth of this Ducks team.  Arizona shouldn't stand a chance against a team who's 3rd line could be their 1st line.

OVER/UNDER Pick:  OVER 5.5 (-105)

Chicago (-165) @ Colorado

Both of these teams head into tonight 3-2 in their last 5.  Many people believe Chicago is primed for another Cup run this year.  They haven't been playing their best hockey lately, yet have still managed to score 14 goals in the last 5 games.  Their offense, lead by Kane and Toews, is loaded with scoring threats on every line. Colorado only has 34 points which puts them 2nd to last in the uber competitive Central Division.  Chicago is in 1st in the Central with 48 points but Nashville, St. Louis, and Winnipeg are keeping the race tight.  14 goals in 5 games isn't horrible for most NHL teams but when you're the Bla$ckhawks it's unacceptable.  I expect a big night from Chicago.

OVER/UNDER: OVER 5.5 (+105)

Edmonton @ Calgary -1.5 (+155)

A case study should be conducted on the Edmonton Oilers.  As a life long hockey fanatic, even I can't pinpoint why Edmonton is so bad.  With a locker room overflowing with first overall draft picks it's perplexing how the Oilers only seem to get worse year after year.  Now, it's to the point where it's so entertaining to watch them fail that I don't even want them to turn things around.  Personally, I hoping Edmonton does a complete rebuild and cleans house sometime in the near future.  Taylor Hall or Neil Yakupov would both look nice in a Wings' jersey. Just sayin'. Until then the Oilers will continue to find new ways to lose hockey games.  One of those losses being tonight in Calgary.

OVER/UNDER Pick: OVER 5.5 (EVEN)