NHL Saturday!

Saturday’s  NHL Picks.

There is officially 2 days left in the regular season.  As I stated yesterday, home ice advantage is on the line tonight for most of the playoff teams.  The teams that have not made playoffs are just hoping to get a win at home to finish out what can only be described as a failure of a season. 

Buffalo @ Boston (-1.5; -140) (WINNER!)

The only reason Buffalo might make a game of this is if the Bruins sit some of their best players to get ready for playoffs.  The thing with Boston though, and what makes them so good, is they don’t rely on any one particular player.  They have Bergeron and Marchand up front with Rask in net but those guys don’t carry the weight that Steven Stamkos or Ryan Miller does.  I expect this to be a good ole fashioned Boston beatdown for the Sabers. 

Philadelphia @ Pittsburgh (OVER 5.5) (WINNER!)

Any time these 2 teams faceoff it is nothing less than a war on ice.  People often forget how much these 2 clubs despise each other.  Believe it or not, Philly has the better record in Pittsburgh going 7-3 in the last 3 seasons on the Pens’ home ice.  One thing that you can count on tonight is a high scoring game.  Look for a hard fought 5-4 or 6-4 game tonight.

NY Rangers @ Montreal (-1.5; +225) (L)

This is a ballsy pick but I think it will pay off.  If you don’t have your boner pants on today maybe just take the money line tonight (Montreal -130) and choose your wardrobe more carefully next time. Montreal has been money at home against the Rangers this season.  I don’t expect any different tonight.  PK Subban will probably hit someone through the glass and Pacioretty will probably snipe one or two bar down.

Toronto @ Ottawa (-140) (WINNER!)

The Leafs are bad.  I mean really bad.  A couple weeks ago they were right there fighting with Detroit and Columbus for the wild card spots.  Then decided they would rather hit the links instead of getting in on some playoff hockey.  They lost to Winnipeg, Tampa, and most recently Florida in the 3 game skid they’re riding heading into tonight.  Look for the Sens to roll at home and give their fans something to cheer for.

Columbus (-135) @ Florida (WINNER!)

Columbus desperately wants these 2 points.  A win tonight will spare them from facing Boston in the first round.  As I’ve stated before: no one wants to take on Boston in the first round.  Florida is an easy 2 points for any playoff team these days.

Vancouver (-115) @ Edmonton (L)

The Oilers have only won 28 games this year.  I don’t see any reason why tonight will be the big 29.  In fact I predict they’re going to have to wait until about the second week of next season for their next win.  You could write a book on why Vancouver sucks dick this year; actually probably a seven book series.  They have all the talent in the world at every position yet their season is one to be forgotten. Tortorella has to be fearful for his job right now.  Regardless, Vancouver rolls on the road in the Oil City tonight and sends the Oilers to the golf course trying to forget the past 5 years.

Anaheim (+105) @ Los Angeles (WINNER!)

Here’s another instate rivalry for ya.  This boils down to the Birdemic possessing the most potent offense in the league.  They need this win to secure the 1^st seed in the West and I don’t know if this Anaheim team can be stopped when they want it.  Look for Perry to put one five hole and Getzlaf to leave you wondering how that big of a fucking guy can move that fast.

NHL Picks!

Sugar’s NHL Pick

Carolina (-1.5) @ Buffalo (L)

This is a no brainer;  Buffalo is fucking terrible.  They make the Islanders look like an all-star team. The last time these two clubs played Carolina won 5-3.  Buffalo headed into the Olympic break a few weeks ago on a 4

game losing streak.  This is a team that has gone 3-14 since New Year’s.  On top of their dismal record, there are rumors floating around the NHL concerning the future of starting goalie: Ryan Miller.  Miller has made no attempt to hide the fact that he is done in Buffalo. What super star goaltender would want to stay on that sinking ship? With the trade deadline approaching quickly, it is likely we will see Miller in a different sweater very soon.  Carolina isn’t having a spectacular season either but it sure as shit ain’t as a bad as Buffalo’s. They have managed to put together an impressive offensive core: Eric and Jordan Staal, and Manny Malhotra (all 3 centers); and with the acquisition of the right winger, Alexander Semin (in the offseason), the Canes possess a notable offense on paper. Look for Carolina to be ready to go tomorrow night. They sit in 6^th place in the Metropolitan Division. However, a mere 6 points separates them from the NY Rangers in 2^nd place.  Buffalo’s playoff hopes died off sometime in the 1990’s.  As usual, they have nothing to play for down the stretch.  Carolina is the pick to go with here.

Sugar’s Pick: Carolina -1.5

Side Note:

I would like to give a quick shout out to fellow analyst, Big "Bobbykatz" Bob, for getting out of the hell that is pick jail.  I'd like to say I believed in you every step of the way but that would be total bullshit.