I am in a bit of a rush today but made time for the picks.

Here they are

Minnesota Wild 1.91 vs New York Rangers

Both teams have struggled a bit of late and with two fairly even teams and Lundquist will not be starting I will side with the home team to take a close one.

Boston Bruins vs Phoenix Coyotes and Under 5.5 for 1.74

I see the Bruins to continue winning especially back at home but I think coming back from Montreal will result in a defensive game which is exactly the style suited to Mike Smith and the Coyotes and the under is much more valuable than buying the Bruins for 1.51 as in a low scoring game I am not confident enough to pick a side with these two teams playing so well.

Carolina Hurricanes -1 at 1.83 vs Buffalo Sabres

I see Carolina getting another win here at home against a lost Sabres club that will need years before they will compete again. Carolina is not great, but are much better off than Buffalo especially given the home ice advantage. Lets go Canes.

Value Picks


Florida Panthers 3.15 at Tampa Bay Lightning

Tampa Bay has just been a mess, and they should get a win tonight, but in a rivalry game the odds have ran with the public and the value is certainly with Florida with five straight losses by Tampa Bay. Maybe the impact of St. Louis leaving was a little more devastating than management thought it would be.

Edmonton Oilers +1.5 at 1.91 at St Louis Blues

The Blues are very good but this is the NHL and any team can win of a given night and to get a chance to lose by a goal for almost even odds is far to good to give up in my mind. St Louis has dominated this series but Edmonton is used to being at the bottom without playoff hope so look for them to compete and upsets like this are just what they want to build on. St Louis in general plays fairly close games while still winning so although I still give the odds to win, I will take the chance plus a goal that it will be more competitive than the public thinks.

Nothing to write home about last night as we broke relatively even as the picks went 2-1-0 and the value picks were 0-1-1. Lets try and find some profits tonight so here is what I am looking at for picks.

Record 2-2-1

Boston Bruins 1.74 at Montreal Canadiens 

This always makes for a good match up but on the road or at home Boston is playing much to well to pass up at really great odds in my opinion. I like them on the money line as it could very well be close but I look for the Bruins to once again gain the edge on offense and if that fails, they can always rely on the big edge they have in goal assuming it will be Rask vs Budaj. Go with the Bruins.

Winnipeg Jets 1.71 vs Vancouver Canucks

These teams are both stinking and Vancouver actually looked good... until the third. A seven goal period could very well wake the Canucks up but the Jets are in the same position and Winnipeg is no easy city to play in so ill take Winnipeg at good odds and get the home crowd a much deserved win.

Anaheim Ducks -1 at 1.87 at Calgary Flames

The Ducks are not playing at their best losing their last three games at home but being a good road team as well this should be a great spot for them to get a little pressure off from the home crowd and play a solid game against not only a bad Calgary Flames team but one that is also very banged up. Anaheim should win relatively easy even though Calgary usually does play well at home the Ducks are just much better overall. 

Value Picks

Record 2-1-1

Colorado Avalanche 2.10 vs Chicago Blackhawks

I have three main thoughts into this pick. First is that Colorado has owned Chicago in recent history even while Chicago was playing so hot it was Colorado who would solve them. Secondly I believe that Colorado is currently in a better form than Chicago. Lastly Colorado is at home where they play very well and I am sure they have all been at home waiting for this game. I am definitely siding with Colorado in this one however if you are looking at Chicago take the -1 at 2.65 as they are a 1.77 favourite in the game yet Colorado only pays 2.35 which is a bit odd so jump on that advantage if you take Chicago. 

Montreal 2.50 vs Los Angeles and Under 5 at 1.87

As the lines have dropped on both the other picks I am going to offer another pick. This is more of a value pick but I am taking Montreal at a 2.50 money line. They have absolutely dominated Los Angeles in past history besides the last game being embarrassed 6-0 on home ice. I look for them to have revenge in mind and pay LA back the favor as they have won the previous seven meetings between the teams. Also I am taking the chance that Price may play having travelled with the team and no starting goaltender being announced as of yet. That also makes me look towards the under 5.0 at 1.87 with two olympic starting goalies going head to head. Take Montreal for the pick at a good value even on the road in California.

**Update**
It looks like Budaj will indeed get the start again so I am going to back off the over/under bet but still support Montreal to win. They play well on the road and as a dog and although I believe LA is getting back to its ways I look for a small set back with a cohesive Montreal team. I believe this is also a game where the public heavily favors LA which is giving us value in the line and smart bettors are taking the plus money rather than buying the LA ML.