NHL picks

Friday Night Ice

Pittsburgh (-110) @ NY Islanders

You know when you get an idea in your head that sounds good but on some level you know it’s a horrible idea?  That pretty much sums up this pick.  I was going to pick the Penguins plus the 1.5 but its -300 so why bother.  The winner of this game will be first in the Metropolitan Division one way or the other; 1 point separates these teams right now in standings.  Can you really pick against Crosby? Naw

NY Rangers (-140) @ Columbus

Here’s another pick that I wouldn't recommend betting your house on.  After going 13-1 over a 14 game stretch the Rangers have been shut out 3-0 in 2 consecutive games.  On the other side, Columbus has dropped 3 straight with the score in all 3 being 5-2.  The Bluejackets haven't lost 3 straight since they got all their guys back form injuries (two and a half months).  Both teams are due to go off if you ask me.  I like Rick Nash and St. Louis on NY to put up some numbers tonight and give the Blue  Shirts the win.

OVER/UNDER: OVER 5.5 (+135)

Vancouver (-115) @ Carolina

Carolina comes into tonight with a 14-24-5 record and faces a team with a record the exact opposite; Vancouver is 24-15-3.  On top of that, the Canucks have won 10 of the last 13 meetings between these two teams.  When I saw this line I assumed Vegas knew something I didn’t know.  After looking through a couple pages of news about Vancouver it’s safe to say Vegas does not know anything I don’t know and they don’t know anything about his match up in general.  Free money!!

Washington (EVEN) @ Smashville 

The funny thing is I’m more confident in this pick then my Penguins or Rangers picks.  Yes, Nashville is the best team in the NHL and Yes, the game is being played in Smashville.  There is always a chance that the Caps go in there and get stink bombed out of the building.  But, let’s talk about a guy named Pekka Rinne.  In case you are unfamiliar, he is a key component in Smashville’s ability to “smash”.  In fact, it’s accurate to say the Predators have not won a game without him this season.  Rinne, of course, is the 6’5” monstrosity that stands in between the pipes for Smashville and he sprained his knee.  How good is Pekka? I mean, let’s be realistic, how much does the best team in the NHL really rely on their goalie? See that’s the thing… Pekka Rinne leads the NHL in wins (obvi since he’ s on the winngest team) but what people aren’t talking about is this: Pekka Rinne is 2nd in the entire NHL in saves as well as 2nd in the NHL in Save Percentage.  What does this mean? It mean’s Pekka is a phenomenal fucking goaltender who has been a massive contributor to Nashville ascending to the top of the NHL.  I do not think they will be the same team without him.  Washington rolls while Nashville struggles through the next couple weeks.

Winnipeg @ Chicago -1.5 (+120)

The Hawks are sitting just outside of first in their division and in the league.  Chicago is 15-5-1 at home this year.  Hopefully tonight they just take care of bidness and win us both some money.  Winnipeg wins games when their goalie makes 50 saves in a game.  That’s all good and everything except when you have to go up against Kane, Toews, and the rest of the Blackhawks.

New Jersey @ Anaheim -1.5 (+140)

The Ducks formerly known as “Mighty” should be a good bet to cover the spread tonight.  Much better chance than Chicago in my opinion but who am I.  Getzlaf sat out practice the other day because he felt “under the weather”…..but that’s cali for you I guess.  He probably just had a mean itch to go carve up some swells… Fellow DP writer Catz knows that feeling all too well.  But Getzlaf and Perry will be good to go tonight and the Ducks formerly known as Mighty should roll.