It’s St. Patty’s day. The green beers are flowin’. March Madness is just starting up. And there are 11 games in the NHL. What more can we ask for? This is going to be a fairly short post (it is St. Patrick’s day after all), but I did a lot of research on these picks last night and I feel very confident that we can continue our winning ways after a solid night on Tuesday.
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Florida Panthers
With the Maple Leafs win over the Hurricanes last night they are only 4 points out of the playoffs with 11 games remaining. They will have enough left in the tank to compete hard for 60 minutes tonight even if it’s just on pure adrenaline and knowing that losses to lowly teams such as the Panthers are not going to help them in their hunt. The Panthers have been getting too much credit of late winning a few tight games after being outplayed. The Leafs are slight dogs in this one, but you can expect a W in the column for the Maple Leafs tonight.
My Pick: Toronto Maple Leafs +100
Chicago Blackhawks @ Dallas Stars
The ‘Hawks may have lost 3 tight games in a row before stomping the Sharks the other night, but their level of play has not declined since their big winning streak earlier in the month and in late February. The ‘Hawks play their best in big games and a game against a team just below them in the standings does qualify. Toews and company will put on a clinic tonight against a Stars team that has overachieved throughout the year.
My Pick: Chicago Blackhawks -125
Minnesota Wild @ San Jose Sharks
The Wild are big underdogs in this one and rightfully so. They have lost 3 in a row and are seeing their playoff hopes slip away. This is almost a must win game for them and I actually like their chances. Against the Canucks the Wild played a very good game outshooting Vancouver and the return of Mikko Koivu, Cal Clutterbuck and Clayton Stoner seemed to really spark the team after going down early. The injuries are behind them and when this team has Koivu they are completely different. I give the Wild a better chance to win than the odds indicate.
My Pick: Minnesota Wild +175
Let me know what you are predicting tonight in the comments below!
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Tagged with: Chicago Blackhawks • Dallas Stars • Florida Panthers • Minnesota Wild • San Jose Sharks • Toronto Maple Leafs