NHL Quick Pick!

Arizona (+165) @ Anaheim The Ducks have turned their season around by winning their last 4 games. The Coyotes have started off better than expected this season. I like the ‘Yotes to pull off the road upset and end the little streak the Ducks have going. OVER/UNDER: OVER 5 (-115)

NHL Picks

Good Friday NHL Parlay –Go to church Bobcat

I’ve never done a parlay for my picks before but since it’s Good Friday and I’m feeling extra ‘holy’ I figured, “why the hell not?”.  Now feel free to do as you wish with this little parlay I’ve served up for you.  Don’t leave me the pissed off comments if Stamkos scores 6 goals and Tampa destroys my parlay while destroying Montreal.  I don’t care if your kids won’t have food for a few days and I definitely don’t care if you just lost a limb to some bookie. Probably shouldn’t have been gambling in the first place then, asshole.  In all honesty though, I think this is a solid parlay.  The first 2 picks all by themselves won’t give you much in return for your bet.  Throw all 3 of these together though and now were talking.

3 Team Parlay (+467) (L)

Montreal (+1.5, -300) @ Tampa (WINNER!)

The first game of this series was a battle of who could make the fewest mistakes.  The big question for Tampa: can Anders Lindback transform himself into a playoff caliber goaltender.  During the regular season, Lindback started 18 games and recorded a 2.90 GAA with a 0.891 SV%, compared to starter Ben Bishop (63 games stated) who put up a 2.23 GAA with a 0.924 SV%.  In game 1, Tampa was thoroughly outshot (44-25) putting pressure on their fill-in goaltender right from the gate.  Bishop will not be an option for some time meaning Tampa is potentially facing a crisis.  As Red Wings’ head coach Mike Babcock put it a few years back, if you’re changing your goalie this time of year, you probably won’t be playing much longer.  Tampa might sneak out a win at home tonight but don’t expect any blow outs.  As much as I do love Stamkos (trust me, I do) he can only do so much.  Montreal covers the spread and most likely heads home up 2-0 in the series.  Sorry Tampa.

Detroit (+1.5, -160) @ Boston (WINNER!)

The last of the playoff series to start just happens to be the best one.  Typically when you win the President’s Trophy and the first seed in your respective conference you can count on a first round that will be nothing more than a warm up.  That is definitely not the case for the Bruins this year.  Detroit slipped into playoffs at the end of the season but they are no 8 seed.  The Wings’ got a combined 144 games out of their top 3 players this season.  They’ve been battling injuries since the first month of the regular season.  The upside of that for Detroit is a whole bunch of guys got to see what it’s like in the big leagues this year that normally wouldn’t have gotten a chance.  With Datsyuk back in the line-up and Jimmy Howard healthy, Detroit could be the upset pick of the year.  However, tonight I do think Boston will win.  It should be a close game though and Detroit should cover.

Dallas @ Anaheim (-1.5, +155) (L)

How ‘bout that first period on Wednesday?  I actually thought the final score was going to be 15-0 Ducks.  The Stars battled back though and showed that they weren’t about to get humiliated.  I don’t think it will mattertonight though.  The Ducks are way too damn good; their offense is arguably the best in the league, their defense does their job, and their goaltending is solid. The Stars’ game plan is trying to figure out ways to beat the Ducks; holes they can expose.  The Anaheim game plan, on the other hand, is just to play their game; the game they’ve played all year long but with a little more intensity. Bottom line, Dallas is outmatched and the Birdemic is going to bring it hard tonight at home.

Friday NHL Freebies

Pittsburgh (-110) @ Columbus (WINNER!)

Cros and Co. take on the weaker the Blue Jackets tonight.  Columbus is fighting for a playoff spot so I expect this to be a close game.  In the end the Pens have more depth and some of the best players in the world; I expect them to win. 

NY Rangers @ Calgary (OVER 5) (WINNER!)

The Flames have been on a heater at home lately.  They've been torching teams left and right; lighting the lamp night after night.  I suspect the Flames will remain hot at home but, more importantly, I expect this game to go over 5 goals.

Anaheim (-1.5) @ Edmonton (L)

I could go on for hours about how disappointing Edmonton is.  3 of the last 4 first overall picks play for the Oilers.  They should be shaping up to be an elite NHL club.  They're not though; they're fuckin garbage.  They would have a hard time beating a really good junior hockey team right now.  I expect Anaheim to light up the Oilers 5-1 if not worse.

Sugar's NHL Relapse Picks

Philadelphia (+1.5) @ NY Rangers (L)

Look for Claude Giroux to put a couple bar down against the Rangers tonight. It should be a close game but the spread is a safe bet.

Anaheim (-160) @ Calgary (WINNER!)

Birdemic heads to Calgary looking to extinguish some Flames. There won't be any pussy locker boxing going on here. These are some grown ass men coming up from Cali. Look out Alberta, the Birdemic has arrived. 

Apology NHL Picks

Sugar’s NHL Picks of the Day

Vancouver (+1.5) @ Winnipeg (WINNER!)

If you’re feeling ballsy take the money line on this one.  I think Vancouver wins outright but just to be safe and pad my record, I’m taking the spread on this one.  This is another game that on paper Vancouver wins 47-1.  Game after game we have watched the Canucks find new ways to lose with an amazing roster.  The Jets simply don’t have the talent to skate with the Canucks.  Look for Vancouver to roll on the road.  If not it should be a one goal game.

Sugar’s Pick: Vancouver +1.5

Chicago @ Colorado (+1.5) (WINNER!)

Two of the best teams in the West face off Wednesday.  This is a likely playoff matchup.  The game is in Colorado and I’ve been liking the Avs lately.  They play well at home and will look to roll on the Blackhawks.  If they lose it should be another one goal game.

Sugar’s Pick: Colorado +1.5

Anaheim (-170) @ Calgary (L)

Anaheim is dangerous on offense and has a goalie to keep them in the game.  Calgary has struggled the last few years; caught between rebuilding and repairing.  They haven’t fully committed to rebuilding in my opinion which has left them somewhere in between.  Anaheim is a high powered team that can score in bunches.  Look for the Ducks to roll in the Saddledome Wednesday.

Sugar’s Pick: Anaheim -170

NHL Picks

Sugar’s NHL Picks of the Day

Phoenix @ Colorado (-165) (WINNER!)

Phoenix struggled to shut the door on Winnipeg last night and it ended up costing them the win.  Tonight they head into Denver to face a much more talented club.  Colorado is coming off a 6-4 loss to LA on Wednesday.  Look for the Avs to bounce back hard tonight and bury the Yotes.  They sit in 3^rd place in arguably the toughest division in the league; the Central Division. A Win against Phoenix would put them 3 points behind St. Louis and Chicago (tied at 84 pts).  I went with the money line on this one because I have a feeling it will end up being a 1 goal game in favor of Colorado. 

Sugar’s Pick: Colorado (-165)

Minnesota (+1.5) @ Vancouver (WINNER!)

The Wild head into Vancouver coming off a 3-0 win against the Oilers.  The Canucks beat Saint Louis on Wednesday 1-0, meaning they’re due for a loss.  Vancouver has been anything but consistent this season and I predict they lose to Minnesota tonight.  Either way, the Wild should cover.

Sugar’s Pick: Minnesota (+1.5)

Saint Louis @ Anaheim (OVER 5.5) (L)

This game features two of the highest scoring teams in the NHL this season.  With Saint Louis coming off a 1-0 loss to Vancouver look for them to go off tonight.  Both these teams average 3.2-3.3 goals per game.  So on their average night they push this game over 5.5.  With this being a potential playoff match up either in the Western Conference Finals or semifinals, look for both teams to be shooting to score.  My pick on this game is Anaheim coming away with a 5-3 win with an empty net goal.  Regardless, take the over on this game.

Sugar’s Pick: OVER 5.5  

San Jose (-1.5) @ Buffalo (L)

Buffalo has had success recently against some decent Eastern Conference teams.  If you’re one of few remaining Sabre’s fans still left on this earth (you must be an idiot), I’m sorry.  The little glimpse of winning you’ve had will come to a screeching halt tonight when the Sharks come to town.  It’s one thing to pull off a win against Carolina and slip one past Boston in overtime; and it’s an entirely different thing to take on the San Jose Sharks in the regular season.  The Sharks have made a name for themselves as being the best team that hasn’t actually won shit.  They’ll snag President’s Trophies like it’s their job but when it comes to playoffs… let’s just say they’re usually playing the back 9 at Pebble Beach after the first or second round.  With their star players getting older and the window to bring a cup to San Jose getting smaller, look for the Sharks to dominate down the stretch.  San Jose takes this game by 3 maybe 4 goals I predict.

Sugar’s Pick: San Jose -1.5