Sugar’s Thirsty Thursday NHL Picks
NY Islanders @ Columbus (+105)
Now that the Jackets are statistically eliminated from playoffs they are tearing shit up. They head into tonight boasting a 7 game win streak and a 11-2 record in their last 13. The streak becomes even more impressive upon a closer look; What do Detroit, Chicago, Saint Louis, Calgary, and Vancouver have in common? They’re all playoff bound teams that have lost at home to the Blue Jackets in the past two and a half weeks. Bottom line, the Blue Jackets are on a mission to completely
screw up the desired playoff seed of a handful of teams. One of those teams happens to be the Islanders. The New York Islanders head to Columbus with a lot on their plate to say the least. They’ve won 3 out of their past 11 games and can’t seem to keep the puck out of their net, giving up 2.73 goals/game over that stretch. I smell trouble for the Islanders heading into the playoffs and for the NHL sports better I love the Blue Jackets to pull off another upset tonight.
screw up the desired playoff seed of a handful of teams. One of those teams happens to be the Islanders. The New York Islanders head to Columbus with a lot on their plate to say the least. They’ve won 3 out of their past 11 games and can’t seem to keep the puck out of their net, giving up 2.73 goals/game over that stretch. I smell trouble for the Islanders heading into the playoffs and for the NHL sports better I love the Blue Jackets to pull off another upset tonight.
Tampa (-115) @ Ottawa
This game features a lot on the line for both teams. Tampa sits 1 point behind Montreal in the division standings. Winning the division would give the Lightning crucial home ice advantage in the playoffs. No one wants to play game 7 on the road. Ottawa sits 3 points behind Boston for the last Wild Card playoff spot. The Senators are fighting every game from here on out to extend their season and grab a playoff spot. The Lightning beat Montreal in their last head to head match up and followed it up with a pitiful loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. After the game, Captain Steven Stamkos issued a call to arms to his team. Stamkos typically motivates his troops through his incredible on-ice demonstrations and by scoring huge seemingly impossible goals. His public criticism of his team will not fall on deaf ears, this I can guarantee. It takes a lot for a soft spoken elite goal scorer to feel the need to call his team out and that’s exactly what he did. Look for Tampa to come ready to play one of their best games of the season tonight.
game 7 on the road. Ottawa sits 3 points behind Boston for the last Wild Card playoff spot. The Senators are fighting every game from here on out to extend their season and grab a playoff spot. The Lightning beat Montreal in their last head to head match up and followed it up with a pitiful loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. After the game, Captain Steven Stamkos issued a call to arms to his team. Stamkos typically motivates his troops through his incredible on-ice demonstrations and by scoring huge seemingly impossible goals. His public criticism of his team will not fall on deaf ears, this I can guarantee. It takes a lot for a soft spoken elite goal scorer to feel the need to call his team out and that’s exactly what he did. Look for Tampa to come ready to play one of their best games of the season tonight.
Carolina @ Florida (-175)
With the season quickly winding down, both these teams don’t have much to play for. Florida has a hail mary chance at making the playoffs, but it’s a long shot. However, with Luongo in net for the Panthers I do expect the team in South Beach to take care of business and come away 2 points closer to a Wild Card spot.
and come away 2 points closer to a Wild Card spot.
Washington @ Montreal (-135)
Montreal has dropped 3 of their last 5 including a loss to Tampa which puts them just 1 point ahead of the Bolts for the division lead. Ovi and the Caps head into tonight with a firm grasp on a Wild Card spot and opportunity to move up. They sit 4th in the Metropolitan Division with 94 points and 1 point separating them from a 3 way tie for 2nd place. The Capitals will be looking to win and move up to that 2nd place spot to get a better playoff draw. The deciding factor in this game will be Carey Price. The allstar goaltender has logged his best season yet and hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down. If Price shuts the door on the Caps tonight, and I think he will, the Habs win at home.
his best season yet and hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down. If Price shuts the door on the Caps tonight, and I think he will, the Habs win at home.
Bonus Pick: UNDER 5 (-115)
Pick: UNDER 5 (-115)
NY Rangers @ Minnesota
OVER 5 (-115)
The Wild have been ON FIRE lately, going 8-2 in their last 10, and have saved their season. They are sitting on a Wild Card spot and, like the Caps, have all the opportunity in the world to move up to 2nd or 3rd in their division. The Rangers are as solid a team as any though and will surely “bring it” tonight in Minneapolis. Personally, I think the Rangers’ offense will overwhelm the Wild but it will be a great game. Take the over because it’s going to take 3-4 goals to win this game.
in the world to move up to 2nd or 3rd in their division. The Rangers are as solid a team as any though and will surely “bring it” tonight in Minneapolis. Personally, I think the Rangers’ offense will overwhelm the Wild but it will be a great game. Take the over because it’s going to take 3-4 goals to win this game.
Vancouver @ Chicago (-165)
Despite the loss of their leading scorer Patrick Kane, the Hawks have pushed forward. They sit right in the thick of things with regards to the playoff seeds in the Central Division. A win will move them up from 3rd place to 2nd place in the division. Chicago is almost certain to face Saint Louis in the first round but locking down 2nd place would give them home ice advantage in the series. Vancouver is sitting in 2nd place in the Pacific Division with Anaheim 12 points ahead of them and Calgary 4 points behind. The Hawks should be in playoff mode by now and a playoff Blackhawks team doesn’t lose very often and almost never at home.
ice advantage in the series. Vancouver is sitting in 2nd place in the Pacific Division with Anaheim 12 points ahead of them and Calgary 4 points behind. The Hawks should be in playoff mode by now and a playoff Blackhawks team doesn’t lose very often and almost never at home.
Edmonton @ Los Angeles (-340)
LA is (and has been for sometime) in desperation mode. They sit on the fringe of a playoff seed and a game against the Oilers is nothing short of a must win. The Kings like to play physical. That is the understatement of the year. LA bangs bodies better than any team in the league probably. Edmonton is young and small finess team that plays a fancy game full of mistakes. Expect the Kings to come out shooting, crashing the net, and to make the game extremely physical.
physical. That is the understatement of the year. LA bangs bodies better than any team in the league probably. Edmonton is young and small finess team that plays a fancy game full of mistakes. Expect the Kings to come out shooting, crashing the net, and to make the game extremely physical.
Bonus Pick: OVER 5.5 (+105)
Pick: OVER 5.5 (+105)
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