Last night didn’t really work out for us. The Blue Jackets, our big dog pick, got off to a good start with a 1-0 lead, but they gave that up and ended up losing in a shootout thanks to a Mason Raymond spinarama goal. We did get the win in our St. Louis vs Sharks pick, but the Wild and Ducks game needed one more Wild goal to force a push, which we did not get.
There are only three games taking place tonight and I only like the line in one of them.
Season Record To Date: 30-37 for -6.56 units.
Detroit Red Wings @ Calgary Flames
You may remember that I like to fade the Calgary Flames. Well they are now sitting in last place in the Western Conference and they are hosting the Red Wings at even money. The game is a pick’em one tonight because the Red Wings are only 3-7 on the road, while the Flames are a respectable 6-7 at home. That said, I don’t buy into the road record for the Red Wings that much. They are a decently talented team that is much better all around than the Flames. The Wings are in the thick of the playoff race in the West and every point is vital. The Flames have lost three straight, but each of these was against a streaking team (Ducks and twice to Kings) so we can’t read too much into that either. I just like betting on the best team in these pick’em situations so I’m going with the Red Wings tonight.
Play: Red Wings -110 (Bet365.com)
I’m back from my Thailand vacation and ready to get back into picking winners in the NHL. Tomorrow is as good a day as any to get back into the action with 9 games on tap and some good value to be had. I want to get back into the swing of things with a winning night so I’ve done a great deal of research for tomorrow’s picks.
Season Record To Date: 29-35 for -5.46 units
Vancouver Canucks @ Columbus Blue Jackets
The Canucks have not been good this year. You will still see them as a favourite against the Blue Jackets every time though, as the big road favourite tag (-150) against a Blue Jackets team that has won 5 straight proves. That said the Canucks have lost 2 more games than they’ve won this year and the Jackets are rolling. They beat the Canucks in overtime less than a week ago and followed that up with 2 big wins over the Red Wings, who are no pushovers. Before their 5 game win streak they also took the Stars and the streaking Blackhawks to overtime, so the team has been playing well for quite some time now. In fact the last time they lost a game by more than 1 goal is back on February 16th (a 5-3 loss to Phoenix). As surprising as it may sound I see the Blue Jackets as the favourites in this one.
Play: Blue Jackets +130 (SportsInteraction.com)
San Jose Sharks @ St. Louis Blues
The Sharks haven’t played well at all since they started the season with 7 straight wins. Now add in the fact that Martin Havlat is out of the lineup and their scoring has suffered even more. The team now has 1 win in the 4 games without Havlat and I don’t expect them to double that amount tonight. If you take away the first 7 games of the season, the Sharks are an abysmal 4-7-6. That is just 4 wins in 17 games! The Blues have also been a very streaky team this year, and they haven’t been as good as they were at the start and they are still giving up goals in bunches, which isn’t supposed to be a characteristic of this team. The offensively challenged Sharks might be just what the doctor ordered for the Blues tonight.
Play: Blues -135 (5Dimes.eu)
Anaheim Ducks @ Minnesota Wild
The Ducks and Wild have both been playing well and scoring goals of late. Yes, they have each also been able to hold their opposition to low goal totals, but I think playing one another these teams will find a way to score. The Wild seem to finally be over their goal scoring issue as they’ve scored at least 2 goals in their last 8 games, while the Ducks continue to fire on all cylinders scoring 26 goals in their last 7 games. Look for the over to cash on this one, even if it’s a 3-2 shootout win for one of these teams.
Play: Over 5 -110 (SportsInteraction.com)
I’m currently sitting in the airport waiting for my flight. I’m heading to Thailand for 3 weeks so I might not be updating the site as often as I have been. That said I will continue to follow the NHL and get some picks up while I’m away.
Ottawa Senators @ Toronto Maple Leafs
The big news in the NHL this past week was Erik Karlsson’s Achilles’ tendon injury. That will be the final blow to the Sens season hopes. He was the single player who was most valuable to any team in the league and this will show in the Sens play. They were a good team and then they lost Spezza. Without Spezza they were an average team. Without Spezza and Karlsson they will be a bad team. Take the Leafs in this one.
Play: Toronto Maple Leafs (5Dimes.eu)
Tampa Bay Lightning @ Florida Panthers
The Lightning have struggle a lot lately and this is a road game, where they are 4-1-0 this season. The Panthers aren’t a good team this year, but nobody should really be a dog against the Lightning when Tampa is on the road.
Play: Panthers +105 (SportsInteraction.com)
There will be many days where I simply add my picks to the Facebook page, and don’t write a full post. So like the page through the banner below to get the picks while I’m away.
The Sens lost the game, but even worse they have lost the season when Karlsson went out with a lacerated achilles tendon last night in Pittsburgh. The Sens were looking like they could steal the game as big dogs when Karlsson went down late in the second and as expected the team struggled in the third without him. In my other pick the Stars gave up three quick goals and were out of the game from the start in Calgary.
Season Record To Date: 27-32 for -4.46 units.
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Carolina Hurricanes
The Leafs are playing some very good hockey of late having won their last four games. They’ve also shown an ability to win on the road and have a remarkable 5-1 record on the road this season. James Reimer is out with an injury, but the Leafs still have a capable goaltender in Ben Scrivens going in for him. The Canes have played much better of late and are 2-2 at home, but with the Leafs rolling you have to give them a decent shot at winning this one in Carolina. Take the plus money odds on the Maple Leafs tonight.
Play: Maple Leafs +137 (5Dimes.eu)
Last night the Devils were unable to impose their will on the Hurricanes. They gave up 2 third period goals and lost the game 4-2. It just doesn’t seem like I can get a break lately, but it’s a long season and things will start going our way again soon.
Season Record To Date: 27-30 for -2.46 units.
Ottawa Senators @ Pittsburgh Penguins
The Senators did play last night and this is part of the reason they are such big dogs in this one. The other reasons are that they haven’t performed too well on the road this season (2-3-0) and they are playing a very talented Penguins team. That said the Pens have lost 2 straight and Anderson was absolutely on fire last night in Ottawa shutting out the Sabres 2-0. The Senators have allowed the least goals against in the league, and they know that without Spezza they will have to win games this season without piling up the goals. I just can’t not bet on Anderson at these odds, with the way he played last night. It also helps that the Sens generally play very well against the Penguins and they have been able to shut down Crosby quite easily in the past.
Play: Senators +185 (SportsInteraction.com)
Dallas Stars @ Calgary Flames
The Stars are on a four game winning streak and they head into Calgary to face the Flames I love to fade. Calgary has been playing a bit better of late (), but their home record is an abysmal 1-3-2. The Stars have won 4 in a row and it seems like getting Jamie Benn back on the squad has really helped the team. As dogs like this against a very bad Flames team you would be crazy to pass on this bet. I was close to making this an exclusive bet, but I want to get some wins back under my belt again before I start giving out more exclusive picks.
Play: Stars +120 (5Dimes.eu)
Check out NHL.com for the season records of each team and the standings.
Everything happened just as predicted in the Coyotes vs Avalanche game last night except the most important thing. That being the score. The Avalanche were fresh and dominated the game, but they let Phoenix squeak back into it in the third and eventually gave up an overtime winner to Shane Doan. This was a tough loss to swallow, when everything went well except the result.
Season Record To Date: 27-29 for -0.96 units.
Carolina Hurricanes @ New Jersey Devils
The Devils are on an absolute tear. They have won 5 games in a row, with their last 2 being 3-1 victories over a red hot Penguins team that was firing on all cylinders. Before the Pens they also beat the Lightning and Rangers, a couple of other solid teams. Tonight the Hurricanes come into town and they have been playing some decent hockey of late. The Canes lead the Southeast division and seem to be showing some signs of meshing as a team. That said I can’t see them ending the Devils streak tonight. New Jersey plays a hard fought, solid system that wins games and will keep Carolina hemmed in their own end for much of the 60 minutes.
Play: Devils -150 (5Dimes.eu)
I’m sticking with this one game tonight. I was leaning towards the Canucks puck line as well, but I’m holding off on that one for this evening.
I’m sorry this post is so late. Saturday was a very, very bad day for my picks, which is why I took yesterday off and considered taking today off too. I’m still going to keep it pretty tame with just one pick tonight, but the play will hopefully end the bad streak I’m on and set us up to have a good week. I made 7 picks on Saturday and lost 5 of them, while one was postponed. Most of the losses were tight, but a loss is a loss. That night has pretty much swallowed up my profits from early in the season so now I’m back to starting from scratch. But this is a long season and I expect us to turn it around. I will probably refrain from making so many picks in the future though.
Season Record To Date: 27-28 for +0.04 units.
Phoenix Coyotes @ Colorado Avalanche
The Coyotes are 1-2-1 on the road this season, with their lone win coming on Saturday against the San Jose Sharks in a shootout. The Sharks have been having trouble scoring of late, so I’m not going to look too far into this win. The team will have since traveled to Denver to play an Avalanche team that hasn’t played a game since last Wednesday. This is a huge break, especially in this condensed schedule and we will either see a well rested Avs team or a rusty one. I’m expecting a well rested team to come out and take it to the Coyotes, creating chances to score against the strong defensive system of Phoenix. The Avs are 3-2 at home this season and I like their fresh legs to help them to a win tonight at home.
Play: Avalanche +100 (5Dimes.eu)
A big win tonight would really be nice and give us something to build on moving forward.
The Ducks didn’t bring their A game last night and Kari Lehtonen brought his. This resulted in a unit loss on the one game of the night. Tonight will be different. There are plenty of games to choose from and the second exclusive pick of the season will be sent to enter your email at the bottom of this post.
Just when I thought Thursday was a big day for picks, I have 7 today. You can find 6 below, with my favourite being emailed out to the newsletter subscribers.
Season Record To Date: 26-23 for +4.14 units.
Pittsburgh Penguins @ New Jersey Devils
I’ve been on fire taking the Penguins puck line lately so why stop now. It’s another great payout if they can pull off a 2+ goal win. New Jersey will be the hardest puck line win yet, but even though the Devils are on a 3 game winning streak if the Penguins continue firing on all cylinders they should put several pucks in the net.
Play: Penguins (-1.5) +230 (SportsInteraction.com)
Carolina Hurricanes @ Philadelphia Flyers
The Hurricanes didn’t look good in their win over the Senators on Thursday night and now they travel to Philadelphia to take on a Flyers team that needs wins badly. Philly did win 2 games before losing in a shootout on Thursday, but I expect another win from them against Carolina, a team they beat 5-3 in the same arena just one week ago.
Play: Flyers -130 (Bet365.com)
Tampa Bay Lightning @ Boston Bruins
The Lightning seem to only be able to put the puck in the net at home. In their 4 away games this season the Lightning are averaging 2.5 goals for, which doesn’t seem bad until you compare it to their 5.33 averages goals for at home. The Bruins haven’t scored many goals this season, but I still like the puck line here. They have the talent up front and its only a matter of time before they score in bunches.
Play: Bruins (-1.5) +190 (Bet365.com)
Edmonton Oilers @ Detroit Red Wings
The Oilers have lost 4 straight, but they have each been battles and they collected 3 points in those games. That said they have to start getting wins and this is a big game for the team to avoid losing 5 straight. The Red Wings are coming off a big win over the Blues and I expect this game to be a battle. I wouldn’t be surprised to see it go to extra time once again and when that happens its really a coin flip.
Play: Oilers +145 (Bet365.com)
Florida Panthers @ Washington Capitals
The Capitals are the worst team in the league to this point in the season. They have two wins this year, each coming against teams that were struggling just as badly as them at the time (Flyers and Sabres). The Panthers have picked it up a bit of late winning 3 of their last 4 (only loss in OT in Winnipeg), so when I can get a hot team as a dog against the team playing the worst in the NHL I’m on it in a second.
Play: Panthers +110 (SportsInteraction.com)
Anaheim Ducks @ St. Louis Blues
The Ducks played tonight, so they will be in a back to back scenario heading into St. Louis. Hitchcock really lit into his team after their loss to the Red Wings on Thursday and I expect them to be ready to go. They should be able to outplay a fatigued Ducks team and win handily.
Play: Blues (-1.5) +175 (5Dimes.eu)
Last night we had six big plays, but unfortunately we only won 2 of them, with the Blue Jackets losing in extra time and the Flyers losing in a shootout. The Penguins did come through for us as puck line winners again though which once again kept the losses to a minimal. Overall on the night we were 2-4 for -2.24 units.
Season Record To Date: 26-22 for +5.14 units.
Anaheim Ducks @ Dallas Stars
Tonight there is only one game on tap, but I do like the Ducks in this one. The Ducks have been on fire winning 4 in a row and they are scoring plenty of goals with their top two lines clicking well. Victor Fasth will likely get the call in goal again tonight as he has been on fire and near unbeatable in his 4 games this season (all wins). He has a 0.98 GAA with a .962 save percentage and a shutout so far this season. I like the Ducks to take it to Dallas in this one and I’m even going to once again go with a puck line after winning two solid ones with the Penguins over the past few days. If you prefer the money line is a -107, but with the puck line odds at +285 I can’t resist. To put this difference in winning percentage terms, at -107 the Ducks must win 51.7% of the time for you break even betting on them, while at +285 the puck line must hit only 25.97% of the time. I think the Ducks fire power could definitely cover the puck line spread tonight.
Play: Ducks +285 (-1.5) (5Dimes.eu)
Yesterday there was only 3 games on the schedule so I took the night off after not having the best Tuesday. I went 1 for 4 on Tuesday, but the big puck line win on the Penguins did keep the losses to a minimal. As always, Thursday is a big night and I have some solid picks for this evening. I’m looking down and see that I actually have 5 plays for this evening! One of my biggest nights of the year, and I expect it to go well.
Season Record To Date: 24-18 for +7.38 units.
Calgary Flames @ Columbus Blue Jackets
You will have noticed I’ve been fading the Flames for most of their games this season and this did come back to bite me when they did a number on the Red Wings a couple days ago. That said I’m sticking with my strategy with the team in Columbus. Kipper is hurt and I don’t see Leland Irving as an NHL caliber goaltender. I think even the Blue Jackets will get to him.
Play: Blue Jackets -105 (SportsInteraction.com)
New York Islanders @ New York Rangers
The Islanders and Rangers are always heated games and you can almost throw home ice advantage out the window since the two teams are so close to one another in distance. The Rangers haven’t looked like themselves this year and I personally think adding Rick Nash to the equation was a bad move for the Rangers. He could prove me wrong if the team makes the playoffs, but only time will tell for that one. I like the Islanders tonight as dogs because I see this game going either way.
Play: Islanders +145 (SportsInteraction.com)
Washington Capitals @ Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins have shown no mercy to their opposition of late winning their last 4 games by puck line scores. This includes a 6-3 win over the Capitals last Sunday. That one was in Washington and now Crosby, Malkin and co get the chance to take it to their rival Ovechkin’s team in front of their home fans. I expect a decisive victory from the Penguins in this one.
Play: Penguins (-1.5) +153 (5Dimes.eu)
Florida Panthers @ Philadelphia Flyers
The Panthers are not a strong team this year and they are on one of their far road trips, which happens to the team from down south. The Flyers are just starting to find their game and I don’t expect them to slip up against the Panthers here as they fight for important points after getting behind the 8-ball this early in the season.
Play: Flyers -142 (5Dimes.eu)
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Winnipeg Jets
The Jets are a very strong team at home and in my opinion a better overall team than the Toronto Maple Leafs. Toronto did pull out a win to remain .500 on the season and they have been strong on the road this season (4-1), but playing I expect them to lose tonight. They have been a pretty see-saw team this year, only stringing together two wins once this season.
Play: Jets -130 (5Dimes.eu)
Vancouver Canucks @ Minnesota Wild
The Canucks have found their game and are riding a 3 game winning streak into Minnesota. The Wild on the other hand have lost 2 in a row and have only won 1 game outside of a shootout in their past 7. Cory Schneider is getting the nod in goal and I expect a big game out of him to show that he is just as viable an option in net as Luongo. The Wild likely won’t score more than 1 goal in this game.
Play: Canucks -113 (5Dimes.eu)
