Last week we previewed all of the NHL games during a 10-game session. We're going to do the same thing today. Card looks a bit loose today but we'll look at each game and see what we can find. Don't forget, in the near future we're going to have an NHL podcast between Denver Money and I available to all and we will be asking for your questions. I've seen in the thread stickied at the top of the forums that some of you have already asked questions so don't be afraid to keep them coming! I'm a big question and answer guy so if your question is in that thread we will make sure to answer it to the best of our abilities on the podcast.
Ottawa at Carolina (-220)
Carolina really the only team with anything to play for here. They're currently on the outside looking in with 76 points, three shy of Buffalo. Ottawa has won back to back games but I think they'll be outclassed in this contest. No value on Carolina, obviously, but we might look to the OVER. In the last two between these clubs the Canes have won by an 11-1 margin.
New Jersey at Boston (-130)
Boston, at home, with this price, is hard to pass up. But they're at this price because they've only won once in their last seven games (1-3-3), including being outscored 26-16 in that stretch. Goalie Tim Thomas is SUPPOSED to start tonight but I haven't heard officially yet. Either way I'm not sold on Boston because of their recent stretch. New Jersey, on the other hand, has won 16 of 20 games overall and 8 of 10 on the road. We're going with New Jersey against the slumping Bruins.
Florida at NY Rangers (-220)
Rangers are another team that are playing for their playoff lives, currently sitting in seventh place in the East. Rangers have won four straight games and have doubled up their opponents (20-10) in their last four as well. Good offense. That spells problems for Florida tonight, which has won two straight over the Rangers. Definitely an overvalued team here in the Rangers as they fight for the post season. Panthers at +180 or so are enticing, but we'll PASS on this game completely.
Buffalo at Montreal (-135)
INTERESTING game here. This game will stay under, IMO, so we will make that an official play. I like the Sabres to win a CLOSE, tight game. Young gun Casey Price is the future in Montreal, and he's a good goalie, but he sucked last time out against the Rangers. If Price plays the way he did against the Penguins a few games ago, they'll win. Don't like either side but I do like Price to rebound and Sabres' goalie Ryan Miller to have a nice game. This will be the sixth game of the year between these two clubs and EACH game has gone under 5.5 goals. Habs hold a 3-2 advantage this year.
Washington at Philadelphia (-165)
Big game here tonight. Philly is currently the only team in the Eastern that has secured a playoff spot and they are a damn good home team (21-10-4). I always seem to lose when I bet on the Capitals but I think they can win tonight. They're RED HOT at 11-1 in their last 12 games and they haven't played since Friday night in a 3-0 win over Jersey. In those 12 games they have scored 33 goals, so we like they getting back into scoring mode. However, no Ovechkin means no play on the Caps.
NY Islanders at Tampa Bay (-190)
Really no opinion on this game either way. Tampa is probably going to win but there is no way we're going to even come close to playing that number with the Lightning. Also not playing the total either, as they've been really tricky this season in Islander games.
Edmonton at Nashville (-270)
Again, another game that has absolutely no value on either side. The Preds are only one point ahead of both Dallas and Calgary, who are on the outside looking into the playoffs. Sure, the Oilers have won the last two games against Nashville but they won't win again tonight. No real opinion on the total either.
Toronto at Minnesota (-120)
I firmly believe the Wild are out of the playoff hunt. They've essentially admitted as such, losing their last six games, getting outscored 28-9. Ouch. We're looking at the Leafs, who beat Boston 5-2 on Saturday, to be a play tonight. LEAN to Leafs, but no official play just yet. They've been a Jekyl and Hyde team lately, but we really like their chances if James Reimer is in net tonight. Haven't been able to confirm yet, though.
Columbus (-125) at Colorado
Wow has Colorado been awful since the All-Star break (2-17-2) and this season, already being eliminated from the post season. I will not pick either side in this game because both of these teams have stunk lately. Columbus, which was in playoff contention, is now way out in the Western Conference at 74 points. We might like the OVER, but no official play.
St. Louis at Phoenix (-175)
Yuck. Phoenix has won all three games so far against St. Louis, who is a really scrappy team that has a very bright future. The Coyotes are firmly in the playoffs and have played very well lately, winning five of six. Goalie Ilya Bryzgalov has a really cool name and he's been SOLID in the pipes for Phoenix. I don't like the price, so we won't overpay. I do like St. Louis but not enough to pull the trigger on the Blues.
Let's get after them tonight guys! Here are the two official plays for Tuesday:
New Jersey Devils +115
Montreal/Buffalo UNDER 5.5 goals
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