Montreal vs Tampa Game 6 Pick

Montreal @ Tampa

Pick: Tampa (-150)

After going down 3-0 in the series the Habs are on the brink of forcing game 7. The Lightning are going to leave it all out on the ice tonight though.  The idea of going back to Montreal for a game 7 is the worst case scenario.  Tampa hasn’t played their best hockey the past 2 games and it’s tough to bet on them to continue to do so.  I expect a great game out of the Bolts tonight and this series to end.

Wednesday NHL Picks

Montreal @ Tampa - Game 3 

Pick: Montreal (+125)

This pick is easy for me.  The last time Carey Price got lit up he responded with a shutout.  Price got lit up to the likes of a 6-2 ass kicking last game.  I have a feeling he’s going to come out tonight and shut it down.  Montreal rolls on the road.

New York City @ Washington

Pick: New York (-120)

The Rangers are facing a 3-1 series deficit if they drop tonight’s game.  Every game in this series so far has been a battle.  The Rangers have said that this is the biggest game of their entire season.  I’m rolling with the experienced goaltenders tonight and sticking with Lundqvist.  Both road teams win.

NHL Playoff Picks: Sunday

NHL Sunday Playoff Picks

Saint Louis @ Minnesota 

Pick: Minnesota (-140)

OVER/UNDER: Under 5 (-125)

The losing team has been limited to 0 or 1 goal(s) every game of this series except the first game.  That stat really doesn’t mean anything to be honest, but I thought it was interesting.  The Blues went off for 6 goals in game 4 and all their fans thought this thing was over.  They thought the Saint Louis offense was finally clicking and Minnesota was done for.  Well, Game 5 featured the Wild on the road, manhandling the Blues 4-1 in their own barn.  This series now sits at 3-2 favoring Minnesota.  Tonight’s game will be played in Minneapolis and it’s tough for me to make an argument in the Blues favor.  Who are the Saint Louis Blues?  The low hanging fruit of analysis for this team is Tarasenko.  The budding superstar of the Blues’ organization has an offensive skill set capable of completely taking over a game.  When Tarasenko is on, all bets are off.  But this is fuckin’ Minneapolis;  The largest city in the State of Hockey.  Why did Parise and Suter go to a busted ass Minnesota team when they had their pick of the litter of NHL clubs?  Because its fuckin’ Minnesota.  They talk funny, they all know each other, they all endure winters that are almost indescribably cold (have you ever felt -30?), and above all, they all love the game of hockey.  How much does Minnesota love hockey?  Well they sell out a 20,000 seat arena for their high school hockey playoffs for every fucking round. I have all the confidence in the world in Parise and his boys from Minnesota to take care of bidness tonight and close this thing out.  This one’s for ‘Sota. This one’s for the hometown.  This one’s for the State of Hockey.  Wild roll at home in a low scoring affair.

Montreal @ Ottawa

Pick: Montreal (EVEN)

OVER/UNDER: UNDER 5 (-125)

I know the Ottawa faithful have dreams of an epic Game 7 win.  Tonight is Game 6 though.  Unfortunately for the Senators, the Habs are lethal and stingy.  Carey Price allowed 5 goals in game 5 while recording an extremely uncharacteristic .800 sv%. Has Ottawa cracked the code on Montreal and Carey Price?  No.  Unfortunately for Ottawa, Carey Price is still the best between the pipes.  And what do the best competitors do after they’ve been humiliated?  They bounce back with vengeance.  I know Ottawa will bring it, hard.  I know the Senators’ fans will be loud and proud tonight.  I know this Ottawa team will do every damn thing they can to extend this series another game.  But I believe in Carey Price.  He’s the best for a reason and the Habs live and die with his performances.  Tonight, Carey Price will push Montreal on to the second round and the Senators’ season will come to an abrupt end.

Monday NHL Playoffs

Monday NHL Playoff Picks

New York Rangers @ Pittsburgh

Pick: Pittsburgh (EVEN)

Over/Under: Under 5 (+110)

The series shifts to Pittsburgh tonight.  Crosby and Co. are looking to take the lead in the series on home ice against the Rangers.  Rick Nash is still a ghost on the score sheet which is killing the Rangers.  If Nash remains a non-factor the Pens should win at home.

Saint Louis @ Minnesota

Pick: Saint Louis (+115)

I’m rolling with the Blues on the road.  This is the time for the Saint Louis offense to display its dominance.  Minnesota relies too heavily on goaltending and once the Blues break through the game is over.  

Anaheim @ Winnipeg

Pick: Anaheim (+110)

Over/Under: Over 5 (-140)

Winnipeg is set to host its first playoff game in almost a million years.  Tickets are going for $1k+ and the fans are pumped.  Unfortunately they’re playing one of the best teams in the world right now and don't match up.  Anaheim’s veterans will lead the way tonight.

NHL Playoff Saturday Picks

Saturday NHL Playoff Picks

Minnesota Wild@ Saint Louis - Game 2 

Pick:  Minnesota +125

Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-115)

This pick comes as a result of several admittedly premature assertions I’ve made after just one game in this series.  Last game I saw a Wild team on the ice who’s playoff style hockey was finely tuned.  No surprise there, since that’s what’s been required of Minnesota for a month now.  I saw a Blues team that is loaded with talent struggle to play to their potential.  There is a very good chance that Saint Louis simply had to shake off some playoff jitters.  It’s almost guaranteed the Blues look a lot better this afternoon.  I like Minnesota still though.  The Blues showed up late to the party and Minnesota took advantage of it.  This has all the looks of the Blues deserving a win but getting shut down by a hot goaltender at clutch time.

Detroit @ Tampa

Pick: Detroit +1.5 (-190)

Over/Under: Over 5.5 (+120)

After losing game one (3-2) at home, the Bolts should be facing a lot of pressure right now.  If you saw the game however, you’re thinking otherwise.  Tampa’s Stamkos explained it best after the game courtesy of Lightning beat writer Joe Smith, “9 times out of 10 we win that one”.  Right now Tampa’s mindset is simple: Repeat.  The Bolts outshot the Wings 46-14 last game; there isn’t anything more you can do besides finish your opportunities.  From the Detroit side, I fully expect the Wings to have a different game plan for slowing down Tampa and controlling the puck more.  Tampa’s speed is lethal which makes them a fun team to watch.  Detroit will need a new game plan for the neutral zone; a crucial area that Detroit was greatly outplayed in.  Babcock is as good as they come and he just might be the difference maker for Detroit.  I expect the Wings to play much better but might still come up short against the leagues best offense in a must win game at home.  Either way, Mrazek plays a hell of a game and it’s a nail biter.

Pittsburgh @ New York Rangers

Pick: Pittsburgh +1.5 (-180)

Over/Under: Over 5 (-120)

This is the series the NHL should be promoting the fuck out of!  This afternoon, in a SOLD OUT Madison Square Garden some of the most recognizable names in this entire sport are going head to head in playoff hockey.  In my personal life I can’t stand the sight of the Penguins.  I dislike them on cellular level after watching them win the 2010 Stanley Cup at Joe Louis in Game 7.  In my professional life however, I can appreciate the product Pittsburgh puts on the ice when all its pieces are in place.  The wildcard on the Penguins in recent history has been Fleury.  It’s hard to predict when he will and won’t show up and perform.  Last game he played his ass off so it’s safe to assume he’s in it for these playoffs.  The Penguins with solid goaltending have as good a shot as any team to knock out the Rangers.  The case for the Rangers: They’re rolling.  They executed, they were physical, and they won.  Lundqvist played great and reminded everyone why that’s his net and only his net.  The Rangers roll deep lines which requires some amount of momentum to be effective.  Your fourth line isn’t going to go out and make anything happen if they don’t have a little momentum to give them a jump.  New York players and fans alike will be praying that Rick Nash can break through early on in this series and provide some much needed scoring.

Winnipeg @ Anaheim 

Pick: Anaheim (-135)

Over/Under: Over 5 (-145)

Winnipeg executed well for 2 periods last game and headed into the 3rd with a 2-1 lead.  It took Corey Perry 1 minute and 9 seconds to even things up.  To the Jets’ credit they didn’t fold up after that.  They matched the Ducks in shots (10) in the third period.  The difference came down to which star players earned their pay check. And that was: Corey Perry (2 goals) and Ryan Getzlaf (1 goal) in the third period for Anaheim.  The Jets have the road disadvantage of not having the last change making it hard for them to always get their match ups right.  If Getzlaf and Perry get loose on a couple 3rd string defensemen the Jets are in trouble.  I’m expecting the Ducks to keep scoring and the Jets to do their best to keep up.