Friday Night NHL Fever: Hockey picks are back!

New York Rangers @ Carolina

Pick: Hurricanes +135

The Rangers have been on a win - loss roller coaster for a little while now.  They haven’t won 2 straight games since the middle of November.  I’m not sure what’s going on behind the scenes in NYC but the Rangers are not playing up to their potential.  They’re coming off a win at home against Vancouver on Tuesday.  Like I said, they haven’t won 2 straight games since November and I don’t think they will break the streak tonight.

Detroit @ Buffalo

Pick: Red Wings -1.5 (+210)

Detroit has been one of the only consistent teams in the Atlantic Division this season.  They haven’t exploded for a huge winning streak and they haven’t slumped for 8-9 games;  They’ve just quietly remained in the hunt within a couple points of first place.  Detroit is however coming off a loss and sits 3 points out of first place, 2 points out of second place, and 1 point ahead of fourth place in the Atlantic.  I expect Mrazek will be in net tonight as he is becoming the go to tender in Hockeytown. 

Chicago @ Florida

Pick: Blackhawks -120

From December 15th to January 10th the Florida Panthers won 12 straight games and took the NHL by storm.  The 12 consecutive wins was more than enough to solidify first place in a division containing Montreal, Detroit, Tampa, and Boston.  Ironically enough, the other team in tonight’s match up, the Chicago Blackhawks, just wrapped up a 12 game win streak of their own.  The Hawks won every single game from December 29th to January 19th.  The Hawks are coming off their first loss in almost a month, handed to them by Tampa last night.  The Panthers come into tonight riding the 4 game losing streak that put an end to their unprecedented month of winning.  I could get into all sorts of analytics and metrics and schematics on why the Hawks are going to put on a clinic tonight, but, the only metric you need to know about is a man known as Kane; Patrick Kane.

New York Islanders @ Ottawa

Pick: Senators +120

This pick came down to nothing more than a glance at the schedule and results on ESPN’s website for each respective team.  The Islanders have been struggling to string together multiple wins while regularly finding themselves in 2-3 game losing streaks.  Ottawa on the other hand seems to be finding themselves in 2-3 game winning streaks more frequently with losses coming in-between those spurts.  I like the Sens to roll at home tonight.

Saint Louis @ Colorado

Pick: Blues -125

I simply cannot defend any argument for betting against Vladimir Tarasenko.  The Avs are one of the most intriguing teams in the league right now in my opinion.  I can’t tell if they are a cesspool of mediocrity lacking identity or if they’re still just a young team loaded with potential lacking a coach that can mold them into an NHL super power.  Regardless, I’m going with the Blues tonight.

Midweek NHL Pickz

Midweek NHL Pickz

Minnesota (+130) @ NY Islanders

Both teams can’t afford to lose a game right now so this should be a good one.  Minnesota has won 10 of their last 13 games and saved their season, while the Islanders are dropping games like it’s going out of style.  Minnesota has been efficient on offense while benefiting from the stellar play of Devon Dubnyk between the pipes.  From the outside, Halak is the starting goalie in NY but there might be trouble stewin’ in the locker room with 2 starting goalies on the roster now.  I like Minnesota because of the wave of momentum they ride into tonight on.

LA @ NY Rangers (-145)

Even if the Rangers lose I won’t regret this pick.  The Rangers have been on fire the past month.  They’re coming off a 7-2 blow out of Anaheim heading into tonight.  The Kings head to the Big Apple with a tough task at hand.  The Rangers look primed to make another cup run.

Anaheim @ Columbus +145

I have a feeling Anaheim is going to play like shit tonight for a couple reasons.  They started their East coast road trip with a 7-2 loss to the Rangers and they’re playing a Jackets team that has been stealing games left and right.  If last game is a sign of anything for the Ducks it’s that they didn’t come out east ready to play.  

Saint Louis @ Pittsburgh (-145)

This is a tough call to make.  Both teams have been struggling at numerous things on the ice lately.  One game they can’t score and the next they can’t keep the puck out of their own net to save their life.  With the Pens potent offense at home I think the Blues will make too many defensive mistakes tonight.

Florida @ Tampa -1.5 (+155)

Tampa has won their last 3 games by 2 goals.  Captain Stamkos threw down against Brad Marchand on the Bruins the other night.  This team appears to be in playoff mode heading down the stretch.

Arizona @ Detroit 

OVER 5.5 (+110)

Detroit should win but the line is terrible even if you bet the spread.  Detroit’s powerplay and depth upfront are due to light the lamp.  A Yotes team that has been losing every game is no match for the Wings right now at the Joe.

Montreal (+105) @ Smashville

Carey Price will give the Habs more than a fair chance to win tonight.

Saturday NHL - FULL SLATE

Saturday NHL - Let’s make some rent money.

Detroit +1.5 (-210) @ Smashville

Despite being first in the NHL right now, the Preds have dropped 3 of their last 5.  Detroit heads into the Music City having won 3 of their last 5 against some good hockey teams (Chicago, Dallas, & San Jose).  It should be a close game to say the least and Detroit should cover.  The Wings haven’t lost by more than 1 goal in a couple weeks.

Buffalo +1.5 (-135) @ Florida

The ole Sabres are on a 2 game heater right now and look to make it 3 tonight in South Beach.  Meanwhile the Panthers have dropped 4 straight.  This game has the potential to be more interesting than a lot of people might think.  Florida is right on the fringe of the playoff race, giving them something to work for.  Buffalo isn’t in playoff contention but they are in another race: the race for the first pick in the draft.  On top of that, the Buffalo brass have some decisions to make going forward on which players fit into the rebuild.  With the trade deadline approaching you can count on Buffalo’s players to be giving 100% and hoping to get picked up by a cup contender.  To summarize:  the South Beach Panthers might pull off a win on the back of Roberto Luongo but it won’t be a blow out.

Carolina +1.5 (-175) @ NY Islanders

Rolling with the Canes plus the points on the road here.  They’ve won a couple in a row and have been playing some solid hockey.  The Islanders are solid as fuck don’t get me wrong.  But I think we will see a 1 goal outcome tonight.  

Arizona @ Boston (-225)

Shitty line, shitty game.  Boston should win this handedly but they have been riding front seat on the struggle bus lately.  Basically Tuuka Rask will probably put on a goalie clinic and the Bruins will slip out with a 3-2 or 2-1 win.  

Toronto @ Montreal -1.5 (+120)

The Habs have been blowing out some good hockey teams lately.  This game should be a classic beat down of the Leafs handed out by the Montreal Canadiens.  Canadiens have been scoring abundantly and keeping pretty much everyone from scoring against them.  The Leafs are horrible.  It all adds up. 

NY Rangas (-125) @ Philadelphia

Rangers are battling with the Islanders for the division now.  The battle for NYC has taken on new meaning to say the least.  I like the Rangers’ offense a lot and they are “cap strapped” right now.  “What?” you ask.  It means there’s a handful of middle of the road forwards on the Rangers that are available for trade. The Rangers can’t afford the guys they currently have on the roster. Games like tonight, these guys are under the microscope and have the chance to increase their trade value as the deadline approaches.  

Saint Louis -1.5 (+135) @ Edmonton

Roll with Tarasenko and the Blues and thank me later.