NHL Playoff Saturday Picks

Saturday NHL Playoff Picks

Minnesota Wild@ Saint Louis - Game 2 

Pick:  Minnesota +125

Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-115)

This pick comes as a result of several admittedly premature assertions I’ve made after just one game in this series.  Last game I saw a Wild team on the ice who’s playoff style hockey was finely tuned.  No surprise there, since that’s what’s been required of Minnesota for a month now.  I saw a Blues team that is loaded with talent struggle to play to their potential.  There is a very good chance that Saint Louis simply had to shake off some playoff jitters.  It’s almost guaranteed the Blues look a lot better this afternoon.  I like Minnesota still though.  The Blues showed up late to the party and Minnesota took advantage of it.  This has all the looks of the Blues deserving a win but getting shut down by a hot goaltender at clutch time.

Detroit @ Tampa

Pick: Detroit +1.5 (-190)

Over/Under: Over 5.5 (+120)

After losing game one (3-2) at home, the Bolts should be facing a lot of pressure right now.  If you saw the game however, you’re thinking otherwise.  Tampa’s Stamkos explained it best after the game courtesy of Lightning beat writer Joe Smith, “9 times out of 10 we win that one”.  Right now Tampa’s mindset is simple: Repeat.  The Bolts outshot the Wings 46-14 last game; there isn’t anything more you can do besides finish your opportunities.  From the Detroit side, I fully expect the Wings to have a different game plan for slowing down Tampa and controlling the puck more.  Tampa’s speed is lethal which makes them a fun team to watch.  Detroit will need a new game plan for the neutral zone; a crucial area that Detroit was greatly outplayed in.  Babcock is as good as they come and he just might be the difference maker for Detroit.  I expect the Wings to play much better but might still come up short against the leagues best offense in a must win game at home.  Either way, Mrazek plays a hell of a game and it’s a nail biter.

Pittsburgh @ New York Rangers

Pick: Pittsburgh +1.5 (-180)

Over/Under: Over 5 (-120)

This is the series the NHL should be promoting the fuck out of!  This afternoon, in a SOLD OUT Madison Square Garden some of the most recognizable names in this entire sport are going head to head in playoff hockey.  In my personal life I can’t stand the sight of the Penguins.  I dislike them on cellular level after watching them win the 2010 Stanley Cup at Joe Louis in Game 7.  In my professional life however, I can appreciate the product Pittsburgh puts on the ice when all its pieces are in place.  The wildcard on the Penguins in recent history has been Fleury.  It’s hard to predict when he will and won’t show up and perform.  Last game he played his ass off so it’s safe to assume he’s in it for these playoffs.  The Penguins with solid goaltending have as good a shot as any team to knock out the Rangers.  The case for the Rangers: They’re rolling.  They executed, they were physical, and they won.  Lundqvist played great and reminded everyone why that’s his net and only his net.  The Rangers roll deep lines which requires some amount of momentum to be effective.  Your fourth line isn’t going to go out and make anything happen if they don’t have a little momentum to give them a jump.  New York players and fans alike will be praying that Rick Nash can break through early on in this series and provide some much needed scoring.

Winnipeg @ Anaheim 

Pick: Anaheim (-135)

Over/Under: Over 5 (-145)

Winnipeg executed well for 2 periods last game and headed into the 3rd with a 2-1 lead.  It took Corey Perry 1 minute and 9 seconds to even things up.  To the Jets’ credit they didn’t fold up after that.  They matched the Ducks in shots (10) in the third period.  The difference came down to which star players earned their pay check. And that was: Corey Perry (2 goals) and Ryan Getzlaf (1 goal) in the third period for Anaheim.  The Jets have the road disadvantage of not having the last change making it hard for them to always get their match ups right.  If Getzlaf and Perry get loose on a couple 3rd string defensemen the Jets are in trouble.  I’m expecting the Ducks to keep scoring and the Jets to do their best to keep up.