03/09/2011 NHL Picks

Last night was the very definition of mediocrity as I went .500.  As an aside, I'd just like to point out the Chicago game was some ridiculously good luck by the Panthers as play and SOG (39-15 in favor of the 'Hawks) were completely and utterly dominated by Chicago.  What can you do though, sometimes all of the bounces go the other way.


Moving on, tonight's matchups are:


Edmonton Oilers (+240) at Washington Capitals (-280):
This is the second game of a back-to-back for the Oilers, the first being a 4-1 loss to the Flyers. The Oilers were inferior in skill to begin with, but now with the loss of number 1 draft pick Taylor Hall and power forward Dustin Penner, expect the Capitals, who are playing their best hockey of the season, to roll right through them.
Pick: Washington Capitals


St. Louis Blues (+115) at Columbus Blue Jackets (-135):
The Blues will get a boost from the return of starting goaltender Jaroslav Halak while the Blue Jackets' starter, Steve Mason, has been doing his best impersonation of swiss cheese allowing 12 goals while going 0-2-2 in his last four starts.  Look for the underdog Blues to sweep this home-and-home series.
Pick: St. Louis Blues


Atlanta Thrashers (+160) at Carolina Hurricanes (-180):
The Thrashers have been struggling of late (3-6-1 in their last 10) and will now be without the services of top scoring defenseman Dustin Byfuglien.  The 'Canes seem to have Atlanta's number as they have won every single one of the four games between these two teams previous to this one.
Pick: Carolina Hurricanes


Chicago Blackhawks (-115) at Tampa Bay Lightning (-105):
The champs are 8-2-0 in their last 10 and are coming off two of their best periods of the year last night where they absolutely dominated play in the second and third periods.  The Lightning, in stark contrast, are playing their worst hockey of the season and have gone 3-4-3 in their last 10.  Plus, the 'Hawks have won their last three games against the Lightning.
Pick: Chicago Blackhawks


Los Angeles Kings (+140) at Detroit Red Wings (-160):
Both teams have been playing mediocre hockey as of late, but expect the Red Wings to start playing the right way as the playoffs approach.  The last time these two teams met (February 28), the Wings routed the Kings in Los Angeles 7-1 before LA got in some reconciliation goals to end it 7-4.
Pick: Detroit Red Wings


Calgary Flames (+110) at Dallas Stars (-130):
The Flames have won all three of these two teams' previous meetings and are playing much better as of late (7-2-1 in last 10) than Dallas (5-4-1 in last 10) as the Stars continue to miss leading scorer Brad Richards.  Go with the underdogs on this one.
Pick: Calgary Flames


New York Rangers (+100) at Anaheim (-120):
The Rangers are fresh off a 7-0 thumping of the Flyers where Ryan Callahan scored 4 goals and Henrik Lundqvist got his league-leading ninth shutout.  Anaheim, on the other hand, is fresh off getting shutout by the Canucks and are clearly missing all-star goalie Joans Hiller and second line pivot Saku Koivu.  Look for another underdog victory here.
Pick: New York Rangers


All money lines are from sportsbook.com unless otherwise indicated.