12/30 NHL Picks
This entry was posted on 12/30/2006 4:43 PM and is filed under Gambling,NHL.
2-2 last night. Could have been better, but could have been worse, too. I am now using a 5 star system for my bets.
***Buffalo over Atlanta: The Sabres are healthy now and want revenge for their would be record streak being stopped. Atlanta is looking for a franchise record sixth straight win, which they failed to do earlier in the year.
*****Ottawa over Toronto: Ray Emery is going for his third straight shutout and Toronto has key injuries, including Darcy Tucker.
****San Jose over Phoenix: San Jose needs to break out of the doldrums, going 2-3 in its last 5 games, including a loss to these same improving but inconsistent Coyotes. They should light the lamp against the aging Curtis Joseph, who's GAA is well over 3 and save percentange is well under .900.
***San Jose-Phoenix over 5 1/2 goals: See above. Plus, all 3 previous contests have been under 4 goals total. Following my rule of threes, the trend should not continue tonight. I will discuss my rule of three and four some other time.
****New York Rangers over Washington: Washington is riddled with injuries on the blueline, and Ovechkin and Kolzig can't do it all by themselves. Kolzig was supposed to have last night off, but due to Brent Johnson's illness, he had to start and will have to play tonight, too. He's great, but he's not getting any younger. The Rangers first line should outscore the whole Capitals team. There's no way that the Rangers will lose 8 in a row. They're too good for that. Tonight's the night that Lundqvist gets off the schnide.
****Nashville over Boston: Boston has been coming on of late, partially because of goaltender Tim Thomas letting in just over 2 goals a game in a 5 game span (4-1). Tonight, it looks like bakup Hannu Toivonen will play, and he's less than spectacular, to put it nicely, with a goals against of 4.22. Add the fact that Nashville has only lost 2 games at home this season, and you see why I've made this pick.
***Vancouver-Edmonton over 5: Once again I am applying my rule of threes. The first three games between the teams this season have been under 5 goals. Edmonton has scored 15 goals in its last 4 games and Vancouver has scored 9 in its last 2 contests.
