Sugar's Thursday Night NHL Picks

Thursday Night NHL Picks

Ottawa @ Buffalo (+115)

Tonight marks the begging of the Eichel era in Buffalo.  With expectations through the roof, Eichel and his new team look to start the season off on a positive note.  Eichel is far from the only piece the Sabres front office has added.  To go with this years second overall pick they picked up the 2009 fourth overall pick, Evander Kane.  On top of Kane and Eichel they added Ryan O’Reilly and goaltender Robin Lehner.  I think Buffalo comes out of the gate hot and starts this season off with a W.

Philadelphia @ Tampa - OVER 5.5 (+105)

I’m not sure about the status of the Lightning with their injuries but I like the over here.  The Bolts should be good for 4 or so goals.

Carolina @ Nashville -1.5 (+155)

Smashville is going to roll on the Canes like it’s their job. 

Edmonton @ Saint Louis -1.5 (+150)

Tarasenko said he wants to score 50 goals this season.  That’s enough for me to pick them over the Oilers.

NHL Picks

Hey guys! Just finished my tour of Wrigley Field in Chicago! What a ballpark I tell ya! I've been so focused on Opening Week for baseball that I forgot hockey was even going on! Well, here are some picks I put together right before we hit that whacky new Marlin's Stadium! Cheers!

Sugar's Hot Dogs & Beer Puck Picks

Dallas @ Carolina (+1.5) (WINNER!)

Dallas heads to Carolina looking to pick up 2 points. I don't think it's gunna happen. The Staals will put a couple glove side or something and the Stars lose this one by 2. If not, the spread will be a lock.

Buffalo @ Saint Louis (-1.5) (L)

Buffalo fuckin sucks. They're absolutely terrible. Saint Louis is going to beat them like a red headed step child. Watch for US born badass, TJ Oshie, to snipe a couple genos and break a couple ankles.  

NY Rangers @ Colorado (-110) (WINNER!)

The avs will roll tonight against the Rangers. Don't ask why. Just do it. 

Minnesota (+1.5) @ Chicago (WINNER!)

Another one you shouldn't fuckin ask about. Just do it. 

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