Free NHL Hockey Picks

Sugar's Super Sweet Hockey Blog Post

Phoenix (+1.5) @ New Jersey (WINNER!)

The Yotes head into the wasteland that is New Jersey, looking for 2 points.  We're hoping our favorite 4th liner, Paul Bissonette (@bizNasty2point0), will be lacing them up tonight and putting one bar-down.  If not, I still think the Yotes bury the Devils.  It's become known that I do not like New Jersey. I like the spread on this one for Phoenix.

Chicago (+130)  @ Boston (L)

Boston just had its 12 game win streak snapped by Montreal.  I have a good feeling about Chicago here. I think Boston has been playing out of their mind keeping their streak going.  Now that it's over I expect them to settle a little bit and I expect Chicago to jump all over them. 

Carolina (-110) @ Florida (WINNER!)

This game should be messy. Lots of turnovers, lots of giveaways, lots of missed scoring chances, and lots of guys completely out of position.  I think Carolina has the upper hand when it comes to talent so I'm rolling with the Canes.

NY Islanders @ Tampa (-1.5) (L) 

Look for Stamkos to put a couple bar-down while the Bolts roll  over the Islanders.  Just trust me on this one. Bolts win big.

Sugar's Lockdown Saturday

Sugar's Lazy Ass Hockey Picks

Sugar decided to go on a three day rager and has been communicating with us via pigeon as of late. He sent in some picks, but no analysis, so I (BJ) will be analyzing the games for you with 0 hockey knowledge. 

NY Rangers (-115) @ New Jersey (WINNER!)

I tell you what, if you'd rather live in Jersey than New York, you're probably pretty stupid. Either that or you like STD's and skin cancer. The Rangers are probably feeding off the Payote-infused energy that Phil Jackson has brought to the Big City, so roll with the Rangers. If you're a sci-fi/fantasy guy, Aragorn from Lord of the Rings was a Ranger, so I wouldn't fuck with them.

 Boston (-125) @ Phoenix  (WINNER!)

 Well this looks like a mistake. Boston has been on a heater from what I hear. Sugar must be hopping on the train, or just letting his true colors show. He's been one of the biggest Boston sports fans since Bill Simmons, so I'd say, definitely take Phoenix in this one. The payout is better anyways. If you like guys that wear "Edelman" jerseys everywhere, drink Samuel Adams and live and breath baseball, then Sugar is your guy to follow.  

Calgary (+1.5) @ Edmonton (WINNER!)

My guess here is that Sugar went with Calgary because some dude on Twitter always retweets us whenever we use #calgary in our tweets. I think at one point he also told me that most hockey games end in 2-1 scores, so we should be good here.

Predators @ Chicago (-1.5)

This game isn't until tomorrow, so just be prepared for this to reprinted with  better explanation later this evening. 

Sugar's Birthday Monday Meltdown

First off I want to wish a Happy Birthday to our fellow writer Sugar. The doctors said your frail, weak body and immune system wouldn't make it past infancy, but you continue to defy modern medicine! Keep up the good fight little buddy and maybe next year we can finally get you off that ventilator, out of that giant plastic bubble, and in to the real world!

Tonight is my final night as a ghostwriter for Sugars Hockey Corner, all I have to say on my way out is this shit is really easy and our hockey record should be much better.  On to the picks!

Vancouver (+1.5) @ Tampa (WINNER!)
This winner is all about the Sedin twins as I expect them to go into Tampa and introduce them to some stink bombs twin style. Look for a ton of buddy puck between the Sedins and a few Tampa goals to keep this one close. In the end the Couv does just enough to keep this one within the +1.5 goal spread.

Minnesota @ Boston (-175) (WINNER!)
The Bruins are one of the oldest franchises in professional hockey. Yet every year it seems like they are able to reinvent themselves and continue to adapt with the times. Some analysts would argue that Boston doesn't shoot to score enough, but don't expect that tonight as they score 3 in the first and lockdown for a 3-0 win.

Phoenix (+1.5) @ LA (WINNER!)
The Yotes started out very hot this season and then went through a mean slump towards the middle of the season. In recent weeks though they have rebounded well and look closer to the team that people thought they were back in the fall. A lot of people believe this is due to the coach making the change of telling his players to shoot to score rather than just flipping wristers at the goal in an attempt to confuse him. This has lead to a huge increase in the number of goals scored and will undoubtedly revolutionize hockey as other teams start trying this "crazy" approach!

NHL Picks

Thursday’s HOLD YOUR TITS Hockey Picks

Phoenix @ Boston (UNDER 5.5) (WINNER!)

For Boston: they have had games over 5.5 four out of their last ten home games.  For Phoenix: they have had games over 5.5 in four of their last ten road games.  Basically I’m going with the odds on this one.  Recently (last 10 away games), Phoenix has had low scoring games 60% of the time. While in their last 10 home games, Boston has had the same percentage of low scoring games (60%).  Amongst my peers and family I am not known as what you might call a “numbers” guy, but honestly I need a reason to pick something on this game.  The spread sucks (PHX +1.5/BOS-1.5) because this game is pretty much a toss-up from my perspective.  You never know what team you’re going to get on a random regular season night with the Bruins.  You’re either going to get the Brad Marchand and David Krejci lesson on how to score sick goals with barely above average talent; or you’re going to get the Zedno Chara lesson on how a team can stay within one goal of winning a game when all they seem to have for offense is a 7 foot tall guy raining life threatening clappers in the broad direction of the net.  Seriously, is anyone else sick of the Bruins having the same roster year to year and somehow turning out completely different results? This isn’t baseball, get your fucking shit together over there.  The Yotes are the team that can steal games.  They catch you on an off night or get a couple good bounces and before you know it you’ve lost the 1 goal lead and are just trying to tie things up; just ask the Tampa Bay Lightning. Either way, I don’t see this game going over 5.5.  Neither team is known to really “light” the lamp.  If you need something to help your bitch ass sleep tonight, Boston ranks 2^nd in the NHL in goals against coming in at 2.2 per game.

Sugar’s Pick: UNDER 5.5

San Jose (-130) @ Columbus (WINNER!)

San Jose heads into Columbus riding a 3 game win streak.  They have only given up an average of 23.3 shots per game in their last 3 games.  In that same span the Sharks have averaged 42.6 shots on goal.  The Bluejackets have given up an average 33.6 shots per game over their last 3, while averaging 32 shots on goal.  San Jose plays a puck possession game modeled after the Detroit Red Wings and tends to win games when they have a higher “shots taken vs shots given up” ratio.  This may seem mundane and obvious for winning but it’s not.  Teams like the Blues and the Caps are known for a more “run and gun” style of play.  They sacrifice the open shots for attempts at forcing the puck into high probability scoring areas, often resulting in a turn over but occasionally resulting in a good scoring chance.  The end result on the stat sheet for this style of play is often the winning team being outshot but not out scored; as a higher percentage of the shots come from better locations.  I expect San Jose to control the game tonight and come away with a win. 

Sugar’s Pick: San Jose -130

New York Rangers (+1.5) @ Minnesota  (WINNER!)

Minnesota is riding a 3 game losing streak, the last 2 coming at home, and the most recent to the Oilers.  I don’t expect anything exciting out of this matchup but I do expect the Rangers to cover if not win.  I still think the Rangers have a very well built roster that doesn’t put a tremendous amount of weight on any one particular player other than Lundqvist but he fuckin lives for that shit. Minnesota is a different story; they rely heavily on Parise and Sutter.  I don’t think Minnesota wins this game but just to play it safe I’m taking the spread on this one.

Sugar’s Pick: Rangers +1.5

NHL Picks

Sugar's Menstrual Cramp Monday Picks

Nashville Predators (+1.5) @ Ottawa (WINNER!)

Nashville's team has been playing well lately while the Sens have been struggling. If Ottawa wins it should be a 1 goal game. 

Phoenix @ Tampa (-155) (L)

With newly named captain, Steven Stamkos, back in the line up; the bolts posses a high powered offense. No one in the NHL has scored more goals than Stamkos since he was drafted. The Bolts have also seen increasingly better play out of American born forward, Tyler Johnson. Look for Tampa to roll on the Yotes tonight. 

Winnipeg @ Colorado (-1.5) (L)

This is an easy pick. Colorado has been rolling all season. Expect them do go to work on the Jets at home and send them packing with a loss. Avs roll tonight.

Los Angeles (-170) @ Calgary (WINNER!)

LA is riding a 7 game win streak heading into this one. They've found their stride and have been hard for teams to compete with recently. Expect the Kings to head into the Saddledome and dismantle the Flames.  

Sugars Money Bundle of the Day!

Sugar’s “Topless Tuesday” College Pick

Michigan (-3) @ Illinois (WINNER!)

Illinois heads into tonight riding a 3 game win streak.  Unfortunately this 3 game win streak also doubled the number of conference wins they have this season.  From January 8^th thru February 15^th (38 days), the Fighting Illini went 1-10.  They lost games at home; they lost games on the road; shit, the whole country lost just having to watch this team “play”.  They’re coming off a big upset win in East Lansing which featured Michigan State’s worst performance since 1898; their inaugural season.  The Wolverines are looking to lock up the Big Ten regular season title. Look for the Wolverines to come into town and go to work on Illinois. 

Sugar’s Pick: Michigan -3

Puck Picks of the day

Carolina @ San Jose -215 (L)

Carolina started their West Coast swing with a 5-3 loss in Anaheim.  Tonight they ride into San Jose looking for a different result.  Unfortunately for them, the Sharks have a potent offense that will most likely light them up for another 4-5 goals.  Look for Carolina to get eaten alive in the Shark Tank as the Sharknado takes its next victim. 

Sugar’s Pick: San Jose -215

Vancouver (+1.5) @ Phoenix (WINNER!)

On paper the Canucks win this game 32-1.  This season has been a non-stop struggle for Vancouver though and the “numbers” tell a different story.  As much as I hate the Canucks, and I really fuckin’ hate them, I think Vancouver wins this one.  If not, they should still cover. Both teams are coming off 4-2 losses and are looking to rebound with a win.  The playoff race is getting tight and both teams need points badly. Vancouver has the star power to score in bunches while the Yotes play a passive style, more suited to their talent level.  Look for Tortorella’s team to roll in the desert, increasing the Yotes’ chances of hitting the links in a couple weeks. 

Sugar’s Pick: Vancouver +1.5

UPSET PICK OF THE NIGHT

Detroit (+110) @ New Jersey (L)

The Devil’s are old as balls (see my last write up on them for more details on that subject).  Detroit will be without Zetterberg and most likely Datsyuk as well.  Datsyuk’s menstrual cramps are debilitating and he will be out once again.  Seriously though, he sits out a shit ton.  Nevertheless, the Wings have consistently found scoring from their young stars.  Tatar and Nyquist will be leading the offensive charge as Detroit heads into Jersey.  The Devils are too old to keep up with the Wing’s speed and puck control.  Detroit, coming off a 6-1 win in Ottawa, takes this game and continues the push for another post season appearance. 

Sugar’s Pick: Detroit +110