Thursday NHL Full Slate!

Minnesota @ Boston

Pick: Wild +105

Minnesota has lost 2 games in a row heading into tonight; a 3-2 OT loss in Dallas and a 4-3 loss in Pittsburgh.  The Wild have yet to lose 3 games in a row this season. Three times this season they have lost consecutive games.  The previous two times they responded by winning the next game.  Tonight’s game is also the final game in a 4 game road trip for Minnesota over the past 7 days.  They started off with a win in Carolina last Thursday, lost in Dallas in OT on Saturday, then headed up to Pittsburgh for a 1 goal loss to the Penguins.  After tonight’s game the Wild head home for a couple days of rest.  This is a classic scenario for Parise and his squad to buckle down and grind out a tough win to wrap up a road trip.  A win gives the Wild a 2-1-1 record on their trip; a success.

Colorado @ Pittsburgh

Pick: Penguins -1.5 (+175)

This is the kind of pick analytics won’t help you with.  Last Saturday the Penguins were embarrassed 4-0 by the New Jersey Devils on the road.  It was their 3rd loss in 4 games.  As can be expected, the Penguins were not happy.  These are the moments when teams look to their leadership.  Assistant captain, Evgeni Malkin, stepped up on Saturday night vocally and more importantly, followed through on the ice three days later on Tuesday.   On Saturday, Malkin called out the entire locker room for the poor work ethic.  On Tuesday, the Penguins defeated a very good Minnesota team 4-3; Malkin had 2 goals and 2 assists.  Whatever issues the Penguins were having have absolutely nothing to do with talent.  If the team responds to Malkin’s call to arms, Colorado doesn’t have a chance.

San Jose @ Philadelphia

Pick: Sharks -135

This pick isn’t complicated.  These have to be dark days for the Flyers’ fans.  They’re bad.  Really bad.  San Jose should win tonight without a doubt.  

Dallas @ Washington

Pick: Stars -105

The Stars are killing it this year.  They’re 15-4 overall, 6-1 in their last 7, and are on a 3 game win streak.  The Caps aren’t exactly a walk in the park but they did play in Detroit just last night.  I like a more rested Dallas team to come in and take care of business.

NY Rangers @ Tampa Bay

Pick: Rangers -130

New York is riding a 9 game win streak.  Only 3 of those games have been decided by 1 goal.  The Rangers are dismantling teams every time they take the ice right now.  Meanwhile, the Lightning have dropped 4 of their last 5 games including 2 straight losses to the Florida Panthers.

Arizona @ Montreal

Pick: Arizona +1.5 (-170)

This is a shitty line but it’s less shitty than the Habs money line (-200).  Montreal isn’t dominating teams like they were the first 10 games of the season.  Arizona has been beating teams they have no business beating.  The Coyotes could win this game but I think they will keep it close at least.  

Anaheim @ Florida

Pick: Florida -115

Six months ago if you had told me that on November 19th the Florida Panthers would be favored against the Anaheim Ducks, I would have laughed in your face.  Yet, here we are.  The ML for the Ducks and Panthers, respectively, is -115 and -105.  For the sake of hockey history I have to roll with the Panthers.  If you need more substance to trust your money on this pick, Florida is coming off 2 straight wins against Tampa Bay.

Columbus @ Ottawa

Pick: Blue Jackets +120

The Jackets’ coaching change just might have saved their season.  Since replacing Todd Richards with John Tortorella the Blue Jackets are 7-4; before that they were 0-8.  It’s not crazy to think if Torts had been at the helm since day 1, the Blue Jackets would be favored in this game.  

Buffalo @ Saint Louis

Pick: Sabres +175

Buffalo hasn’t lost 3 games in a row all year.  They head into tonight on a 2 game losing streak.  The Blues very well could stomp the Sabres out.  That actually will probably be the case.  But I’m feeling myself tonight and I’m rolling with Cap’n Jack.

Tuesday Night NHL Picks

NHL Slate

Montreal @ Pittsburgh

Pick: Penguins -135

If there’s a team in the NHL equipped to go up against Carey Price it’s the Pittsburgh Penguins.  With the addition of Phil Kessel, this offense is shaping up to be a goalies worst nightmare.  The biggest problem the Pens have faced through 2 games is fitting all these pieces they have together in the best way.  They head into their home opener tonight 0-2 after dropping games on the road to Dallas and Arizona and scoring 1 goal between the two games.  The fact of the matter is this low of a production level isn’t going to last, or at least there’s no reason it should.  Tonight is Pittsburgh’s home opener and a great opportunity to get the offense going against a great goaltender on the other end.

San Jose @ Washington

Pick: Sharks +105

I have to admit, I did not think San Jose was going to be anything special this year.  They were disappointing last year and they didn’t make any notable roster moves this offseason.  It’s only 2 games I know, but it appears I was wrong about the Sharks.  Through the first 2 games of their season the Sharks have found the back of the net 7 times while giving up just 1 goal.  Those wins came against LA (5-1) and Anaheim (2-0).  The Capitals big offseason move was picking up TJ Oshie.  I’m going to try to tip toe on this issue and try not to offend anyone, but how good is Oshie really?  Along with millions of USA hockey fans, I will NEVER forget TJ Oshie single handedly defeating Team Russia in that shootout.  That was some shit you only expect to see in a Disney movie, not real life in the Winter Olympics IN Russia.  But on the NHL front, Oshie has never really put up the numbers to deserve the hype he gets.  He is a good player but it’s tough to make a case for him being anything but that.  He is in his 8th season in the NHL and he has had just 1 season in which he crossed the 20 goal mark; 13-14 season when he scored 21 goals.  He has put up 50+ points just 3 times in his career.  I conclude by stating that TJ Oshie is a solid pick up for the Caps but he is not a super star.  He should fit in nicely with the Caps run and gun offense but he isn’t some great player that puts Washington over the top.  Sharks keep it rolling on the road with the vets leading the charge.

OVER/UNDER: OVER 5.5 (+110)

Nashville @ New Jersey

Pick: Predators -1.5 (+175)

Nashville is 2-0 with wins over Carolina and Edmonton.  They’ve covered the spread in one of those games.  On the other side, the Devils are 0-2 with losses to the Jets and the Caps, both games they lost by 2 goals.  Nashville has a lot of work to do before I’m willing to start calling them Smashville again but they’re off to a decent start.  New Jersey is still working with the same roster that won 67 games from 2013-2015.  That’s just 5 more games than the ’95-’96 Wings won in just 1 season.  Nashville is better and deeper at every positon and they have one of the best goaltenders in the league.  Look for Filip Forsberg to get things going against a much weaker opponent.

Florida @ Carolina

Pick: Panthers +120

Florida exploded offensively in their first game of the season with 7 goals at home against the Flyers.  They followed that up with a goose egg, losing 1-0 on the road in Philly. I really just don’t think Carolina has anything special going on.  On the other side, Florida has an interesting team to say the least. The big news coming out of the Panthers locker room is the return of Jagr’s mullet. Jaromir Jagr can really only be described as an ageless wonder at this point. The guy was literally drafted before the last EIGHT draft classes were even born. (1990 5th overall pick). The (now) 43 year old put up 17 goals and 47 points last season in 77 games.  In the ’13-’14 season he went off for 24 goals and 67 points in 82 games at the age of 41.  If you consider the amount of injuries NHL teams face every year, it is impressive on it’s own that Jagr has managed to play consecutive full seasons in his 40’s but what makes him remarkable is the stats he has put up in his 40’s on the NHL level: 41G, 73A, for 114 points.  Most NHL players will never have 2 seasons combined with those numbers and Jagr did it between the ages of 41 - 43.  Respect.  

Winnipeg @ NY Rangers

Pick: Rangers -175

I bounced back and forth between the Jets +1.5 and the Rangers ML.  I settled on the ML pick because the odds are better (-190 vs -175) and I think the Rangers definitely win this game.  As usual, Lundqvist (33 years old) is playing like he’s 25 and in his prime.  The super human Swedish goaltender simply doesn’t seem to age.  The Rangers have a lot to prove before they need to worry about winning Lundqvist a Stanley Cup but the first steps of this season have all been in the right direction. I also like the over in this game based on the scoring ability on the Rangers and the Jets knack for finding the net when they have no business doing so.

OVER/UNDER: OVER 5.5 (+115)

Tampa @ Detroit 

Pick: Red Wings -110

The reality here is I’m only about 65% confident in this pick.  Both teams head into tonight undefeated; Tampa 3-0 and Detroit 2-0.  The Red Wings began their season with a 4-0 dismantling of Toronto and followed that up the very next night by squeaking out a 4-3 win on the road in Carolina in which they were out shot 19-47.  In reality, the reason for the Wings’ poor performance, to some extent, lies on their schedule.  It’s not fun and it doesn’t make sense (looking at you NHL) to play at home and have to play on the road 700 miles away 24 hours later.  If anything, the game in Carolina gives me more confidence in the Wings because they found a way to win a game they didn’t deserve to win.  After a couple days off Detroit’s legs will be back and ready to go tonight.  This game could go either way.  The last time these teams met was Game 7 of round 1 in last years playoffs.  Tampa won 2-0.  This is a new Detroit team though; a Babcock-less Detroit team.  The game tonight against Tampa will be a great marker for Wings’ fans as to where this team stands.

Edmonton @ Dallas

Pick: Dallas -170

The Oilers have only scored 1 goal this season and head into tonight 0-2.  McDavid has yet to register a point and has just 4 shots on goal through 2 games.  The 2015 first overall draft pick is in a tough situation for an 18 year old.  The entire hockey world has their eyes on him right now.  Edmonton has put their hopes and dreams on his shoulders.  That’s a lot for an 18 year old; then again most 18 year olds aren’t talked about as a hockey prodigy from the time they are 15.  McDeezy needs to put up some points and he has to find the back of the net before things get to his head.  He might score his first goal tonight but the Stars are a much better team than Edmonton.  Dallas picked up Patrick Sharp and Johnny Oduya in the offseason to compliment their already talented roster.  Tyler Sequin has yet to find the back of the net this season, a home game against a bad team is the perfect opportunity for him to put an end to that.

OVER/UNDER: OVER 5.5 (-105)

Saint Louis @ Calgary 

Pick: Blues -130

The Blues are 2 games into their season and Vladimir Tarasenko has 2 goals.  The super star Russian goal scorer said several weeks ago his goal is to score 50 goals this season.  He’s off to a good start.  Both teams are 1-1 heading into tonight.  Calgary split games with Vancouver and Saint Louis beat Edmonton then lost to Minnesota.  Calgary is definitely a team to keep an eye on this year.  They have a nice combination of young guys led by some experienced but still productive veterans.  Johnny Hockey picked up where he left off last season, recording 1 goal and 3 assists in the Flames’ first two games.  I like the Blues on the road here though largely because I think the Blues are still one of the best teams in the West.

Vancouver @ Los Angeles

Pick: Canucks +165

The Kings may be playing at home but, that doesn’t change the fact that they have been outscored 9-2 through their first 2 games of the season.  The Canucks head into tonight 2-1 after a shootout victory on the road in Anaheim last night.  It is Vancouver’s second game in as many days but I still like the ‘Nucks to roll on a struggling Kings team.

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.

Thursday NHL Picks

Sugar’s Thirsty Thursday NHL Picks

NY Islanders @ Columbus (+105)

Now that the Jackets are statistically eliminated from playoffs they are tearing shit up.  They head into tonight boasting a 7 game win streak and a 11-2 record in their last 13.  The streak becomes even more impressive upon a closer look;  What do Detroit, Chicago, Saint Louis, Calgary, and Vancouver have in common?  They’re all playoff bound teams that have lost at home to the Blue Jackets in the past two and a half weeks.  Bottom line, the Blue Jackets are on a mission to completely screw up the desired playoff seed of a handful of teams.  One of those teams happens to be the Islanders.  The New York Islanders head to Columbus with a lot on their plate to say the least.  They’ve won 3 out of their past 11 games and can’t seem to keep the puck out of their net, giving up 2.73 goals/game over that stretch.  I smell trouble for the Islanders heading into the playoffs and for the NHL sports better I love the Blue Jackets to pull off another upset tonight.

Tampa (-115) @ Ottawa 

This game features a lot on the line for both teams.  Tampa sits 1 point behind Montreal in the division standings.  Winning the division would give the Lightning crucial home ice advantage in the playoffs.  No one wants to play game 7 on the road.  Ottawa sits 3 points behind Boston for the last Wild Card playoff spot.  The Senators are fighting every game from here on out to extend their season and grab a playoff spot.  The Lightning beat Montreal in their last head to head match up and followed it up with a pitiful loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.  After the game, Captain Steven Stamkos issued a call to arms to his team.  Stamkos typically motivates his troops through his incredible on-ice demonstrations and by scoring huge seemingly impossible goals.  His public criticism of his team will not fall on deaf ears, this I can guarantee.  It takes a lot for a soft spoken elite goal scorer to feel the need to call his team out and that’s exactly what he did.  Look for Tampa to come ready to play one of their best games of the season tonight.

Carolina @ Florida (-175)

With the season quickly winding down, both these teams don’t have much to play for.  Florida has a hail mary chance at making the playoffs, but it’s a long shot.  However, with Luongo in net for the Panthers I do expect the team in South Beach to take care of business and come away 2 points closer to a Wild Card spot.

Washington @ Montreal (-135)

Montreal has dropped 3 of their last 5 including a loss to Tampa which puts them just 1 point ahead of the Bolts for the division lead.  Ovi and the Caps head into tonight with a firm grasp on a Wild Card spot and opportunity to move up.  They sit 4th in the Metropolitan Division with 94 points and 1 point separating them from a 3 way tie for 2nd place.  The Capitals will be looking to win and move up to that 2nd place spot to get a better playoff draw.  The deciding factor in this game will be Carey Price.  The allstar goaltender has logged his best season yet and hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down.  If Price shuts the door on the Caps tonight, and I think he will, the Habs win at home.

Bonus Pick: UNDER 5 (-115)

NY Rangers @ Minnesota 

OVER 5 (-115)

The Wild have been ON FIRE lately, going 8-2 in their last 10, and have saved their season.  They are sitting on a Wild Card spot and, like the Caps, have all the opportunity in the world to move up to 2nd or 3rd in their division.  The Rangers are as solid a team as any though and will surely “bring it” tonight in Minneapolis.  Personally, I think the Rangers’ offense will overwhelm the Wild but it will be a great game.  Take the over because it’s going to take 3-4 goals to win this game.

Vancouver @ Chicago (-165)

Despite the loss of their leading scorer Patrick Kane, the Hawks have pushed forward.  They sit right in the thick of things with regards to the playoff seeds in the Central Division.  A win will move them up from 3rd place to 2nd place in the division.  Chicago is almost certain to face Saint Louis in the first round but locking down 2nd place would give them home ice advantage in the series.  Vancouver is sitting in 2nd place in the Pacific Division with Anaheim 12 points ahead of them and Calgary 4 points behind.  The Hawks should be in playoff mode by now and a playoff Blackhawks team doesn’t lose very often and almost never at home. 

Edmonton @ Los Angeles (-340)

LA is (and has been for sometime) in desperation mode.  They sit on the fringe of a playoff seed and a game against the Oilers is nothing short of a must win.  The Kings like to play physical.  That is the understatement of the year.  LA bangs bodies better than any team in the league probably.  Edmonton is young and small finess team that plays a fancy game full of mistakes.  Expect the Kings to come out shooting, crashing the net, and to make the game extremely physical.

Bonus Pick: OVER 5.5 (+105)

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.

NHL Picks!!

Thursday Bar-down Locks

Smashville (+105) @ NY Islanders

It’s not everyday we get served up with a line featuring the Preds as the dogs.  Vegas must be running out of rooms to fill with money so they’re giving some away.  Both these teams have emerged has Cup contenders this season after not making playoffs last spring.  Why should you roll with Smashville?  Two reasons:  The Preds have a better defensive core (possibly the best in the NHL) and they have a guy named Pekka Rinne.  The Gargantuan of the Goal Line; the Pillar between the Pipes;  the Forestall from Finland.  Don’t doubt the ability of this 6’5” goaltender.

Vancouver @ NY Rangers (-160)

The Rangers haven’t lost a game in a minute and roll into tonight with 4 straight wins.  The ‘Nucks aren’t quite as bad as last year, but by no means are they the Vancouver Canucks of old.  The Rangers boast a roster with multiple high profile NHL scorers.  Look for the Rangers and Lundqvist to take care of bidness tonight at home.

Winnipeg @ Washington (-165)

The Jets are about due for a couple losses.  Ovi and the Caps will more than likely provide a jump start for that tonight.  The Jets aren’t bad and I don’t expect a blow out of any kind, but I do expect the Caps to win.  Watch for a classic Ovi power play one-timer bad-deezzy.  

Florida (+130) @ Montreal

I’ve probably only rolled with a Panthers pick 3 times in my life, counting tonight.  Montreal has been playing like a bunch of jabroni’s on the pond lately.  I think their poor play will hit rock bottom tonight as they drop one to the Panthers.

Buffalo (+230) @ Philadelphia

This is the first time in years I’ve picked the Sabres to win.  I don’t think Philly is that good of a team and I think Buffalo will take any win they can get right now.