NHL Picks (Tuesday 2/7): Devils Rangers, Penguins Habs

NHL Picks and Hockey Predictions, Tuesday 2/7: New Jersey Devils at New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins at Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks at Nashville Predators, Toronto Maple Leafs at Winnipeg Jets, Florida Panthers at Washington Capitals

The New York Rangers have to be pretty pissed off about the way they lost to the New Jersey Devils last week, so look for a crazy game at Madison Square Garden. The Penguins visit the Habs after Montreal played one of their most sound games of the year. The Canucks play the Predators in Nashville as the Preds hope to prove they’re legitimate this year. The Leafs, on no rest, play the Jets in a new / old Canada rivalry. The Panthers and the Caps are battling for first place in the Southeast, which is kind of like being the prettiest stripper during the morning shift on a Tuesday in Newark.

Tuesday might be the most exciting slate of games yet. I’m so excited, in fact, that I’m going to forget yesterday (and so should you). I got in a fight with Michael Kay, lost about 100 dollars, and ended my nineteen wins in a row streak. Sigh.

New Jersey Devils (+150) at New York Rangers

I never bet against the Devils, i just vary the amounts.

The Rangers are going to be pissed off. They had a game at The Rock won until the puck hit the boards funny and David “20 goals” Clarkson buried the tying goal. That game, with backup goaltender Marty Biron in net, propelled the Devils to four straight wins after the All Star break.

You can bet that Henrik Lundqvist will be in net, the boards at the garden won’t be nearly as forgiving, and the Rangers will come out firing. Still, I think the Devils win because, as I’ve said all year, the Rangers don’t have the defensemen to shut down Ilya Kovalchuk, Zach Parise, and in typical DeBoerian videogame style, Patrik Elias, now all on the same line. If the Devils can hold the Rangers, who are second worst in terms of goals scored of playoff teams in the East, to less than three goals then the Devils have a chance.

Devils 4 – Rangers 2

Confidence: 1/6
Value: 2/6 – It’s a good line considering how hot the Devils are, but the Rags are going to be pissed.

Minnesota Wild (-125) at Columbus Blue Jackets

I think the Wild figured out that if they lose every game the rest of the way they probably won’t make the playoffs.

Wild 4 – BJs 1

Confidence: 2/6
Value: 3/6 Let’s pretend, for one more day, that the Wild are playoff bound. If so, isn’t this line a bit ridiculous?

New York Islanders at Philadelphia Flyers (-185)

I think it would be hilarious if the Islanders won this game.

The Flyers are one of the dirtiest teams in hockey. Cheap shots, slew footing?, and other Philadelphia shenanigans have confirmed exactly why I absolutely hate this team. I think the Flyers will win, but they’ve got a lot of bad karma coming their way. Maybe the Islanders, cute and young as they are, can capitalize on some of that ill will from the “humongous big” universe – but probably not.

Flyers 4 – Isles 3

Confidence 0/6
Value 0/6 – I’m not betting this game, but if I did, I’d bet on the Flyers… I guess.

Florida Panthers at Washington Capitals (-160)

This is a crappy line but a great game. Can the Panthers possibly recover from an injury-riddled slump that let the Caps catch them in the Southeast? Are the Capitals ever going to actually wake up?

Winning the Southeast right now is as impressive as placing sixth in American Idol. People will still pretend to care, but only because they don’t know any better.

Caps 2 – Cats 1

Confidence: 1/6
Value: 1/6 – Tough line, but I think the Caps are the better team right now.

Pittsburgh Penguins at Montreal Canadiens (+120)

For a while there, as dirty as it feels to admit this, I was headlining and picking the Habs because I thought it would boost my hit count. Now I realize that most of their fans have given up on the season. Just kidding.

The Habs are coming off the most complete game they’ve played all season. They scored three goals, shut out the streaky offense of the Jets, and won a big home game. Let’s see if they can do it again.

Canadiens 3 – Pens 0

Confidence: 2/6
Value: 3/6 – I love home underdogs. When done properly they can be very profitable.

LA Kings (EVEN) at Tampa Bay Lightning

If the Kings are a legitimate playoff team and the Lightning are as terrible as they’ve pretended to be all season, this is a beautiful line.

Kings 4 – Bolts 3

Confidence: 2/6
Value: 3/6 – I think the Kings will pull this one out at a pretty nice payout.

St. Louis Blues (-125) at Ottawa Senators

The Senators are falling from the fatty heights of Eastern Conference playoff mediocrity faster than Ken Hitchcock’s cholesterol levels. Seriously though, good for that guy, he’s lost a lot of weight. The Blues are great and have incredible goaltending.

Blues 5 – Senators 2

Confidence: 4/6
Value: 5/6 – I know the Senators can’t lose every game, but I hope they lose this one too.

Vancouver Canucks at Nashville Predators (-115)

This is a huge game for the Predators. The Red Wings just lost to the Coyotes, which leaves the door open for the Preds to gain ground. The Canucks are one of the best teams in the league but nothing like the team they were last year. A statement win from Nashville will go a long way toward making a push for the rest of the season.

Preds 3 – Canucks 2

Confidence: 2/6
Value: 2/6 – This feels like the line is right where it should be.

Toronto Maple Leafs at Winnipeg Jets (-115)

The Leafs are skating two nights in a row and the Jets are home. Also, I root for an Eastern Conference team that’s relevant to the playoffs, so I’d like to see the Jets win.

Jets 4 – Leafs 3

Confidence: 2/6
Value: 2/6 – Again this line feels right. Good job Vegas.

Phoenix Coyotes (+125) at Dallas Stars

The Coyotes will ride a huge wave of momentum after a big win against the Red Wings. This is their playoff push, hanging in the balance. The Stars don’t impress me much.

Coyotes 3 – Stars 1

Confidence: 2/6
Value: 3/6 – If the Coyotes are going to make some moves, it’s now or never.

Chicago Blackhawks (-135) at Colorado Avalanche

The Blackhawks are too good to keep playing this badly.

Hawks 3 – Avs 2

Confidence: 2/6
Value: 2/6 – Given how poorly the Hawks have been playing… I really don’t know what to do here.

Follow me on Twitter: @FasterHockey

Comments