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Columbus finally managed to get a straight win in the last game. Columbus was outshot badly and took some dumb penalties, but still managed to win. They have been grinding out points in the overtime before. It must be said, that they have been playing some very good teams lately and Carolina is clearly a class below those teams.

Carolina is not playing well this season. Main reason is that aged caught up with some veteran players. On many night effort is not just there. They played better, yesterday. But it won’t be easy to play against Columbus on back-to-back nights. Especially for the vets. Carolina can only hope on their goalie Cam Ward. Otherwise it’s very hard to win for them. ‘Canes are missing their star Eric Staal and this fact is not helping this struggling team.

This bet is mainly against the Carolina Hurricanes. Won’t be an easy game for them. Columbus is healthier, more rested and simply a better team. Must win game for them. Odds ain’t much, but over 1.85 will be okay. Columbus –0.5. Medium stakes. Good luck!

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After have a horrible start to season the Leafs have started to collect points. They have won two and taken a point in their last six games. The Leafs are always playing hard against the Red Wings, because these teams are rivals from the old times. Rivalry is not so sharp anymore, because teams rarely meet and the Leafs have been bad for a long time. But for Toronto it’s still something. There is a one major concern for Toronto – they are playing back-to-back games. It won’t be easy to defend for them.

The Red Wings started slow, but machine is rolling again. They miss several good players, but team have been dominant in the past 3-4 games. Goalie Osgood has been great in those games. Big guns are finally putting up some points. There is one important fact for the Red Wings in this game. Their legend Steve Yzerman will be inducted to the Hall Of Fame before the game. So I expect that his former team-mates are motivated to win this game for Stevie Y.

The Red Wings are better on the paper. More rested and have played better in the past few games. Period. The Leafs will fight hard, but they are clear underdogs in this one. Especially after playing just last night. If goalies won’t make a huge difference in this game, then Detroit is taking all points in Toronto. Everything over 2.00 is very good. Can’t miss such odds. Detroit Red Wings –0.5. Medium stakes. Good luck!

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LA Kings are turning heads this season. It seems that their young and talented players are finally breaking out. Addition of experienced veteran R. Smith has also helped them very much. As a result they tend score plenty of goals in most of the games. There were some signs that they are slowing down, but now LA has posted to wins with very strong 3rd period in both games. It shows, that team has some character. Goalie J. Quick has provided solid goaltending so far and he is expected to start again. No serious injuries for the Kings.

Nashville has been mediocre so far. They showed that they might be back on track by winning 3 straight games, but now they got shutdown by the Ducks. Well.. it’s not easy to play against the Ducks. They are physical team and the Preds will feel it in this game also. The Preds work hard and rely on goalies. But somehow they haven’t been very effective this season. Nashville has also some serious injury troubles. Defenseman S. Weber and forward Dumont are both key-players. Talented forward C. Wilson is also out. These are important players.

LA is playing a lot better this season. Nashville aren’t pushovers, but they are clear dogs in this game. I’m not thrilled with the odds that we can get for LA straight win, but –1.5 looks pretty good also. If Nashville gets superb goaltending, then they are getting a point in this one. If LA continues with their strong offense, then Nashville will see plenty of red light. So handicap has better value, than LA 1X2. Kings win (-1.5 handicap). Medium stakes. Good luck!

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Colorado Avalanche - Phoenix Coyotes

The Avs have overachieved big time so far. They are leading the Western Conference right now. That shouldn’t be like this, but it is. The main reason is that they get phenomenal goaltending from C. Anderson. The second reason is their youthful energy and game. But they have slowed down after loosing two games on the road. Now they are looking to rebound at home, where they are still undefeated. Backup goalie Peter Budaj will make his first start of the season. He is a big question mark. He hasn’t played so far. But overall he is not a bad backup (he just sucks as a starter). One interesting fact: despite leading the Conference the Avs allow 33.5 shots per game and take 25.1 per game. Sure proof that they heavily depend on a goalie.

Phoenix is another overachieving team in the Western Conference. And they are also looking to rebound after loosing to yet another overachieving team -  LA Kings. The Yotes rested their starting goalie Bryzgalov in that game. So he should be playing in this one. Team also relies heavily on him. Overall mood seems to be good in Phoenix. Everybody is looking to work hard after mediocre effort in LA. Plus, coach Dave Tippet usually does pretty well against the Avs. Phoenix has done a good job against Colorado in the past seasons. I hope trend is going to continue.

Okay... another tricky pick from me. But this season is pretty tough so far, because these mediocre/bad teams are playing well and winning games. I would say that these teams are pretty even. But the Avs are ready to loose the first game at home. And Phoenix sort have their number for some time now. Budaj in the net should help Coyotes. Because Bryzgalov is a better goalie for sure. Two young teams looking to rebound, but “feeling” says Coyotes in this one. I’m not too confident to pick straight away win, but Coyotes 2.020 ML (Regulation Time Only) is looking very good. Medium stakes. Good luck!

Columbus is finally back at home after shaky away games. They have yet to loose at home. Columbus is your average team with great goalie and a coach, which will keep grinding out narrow wins. I expect that once again. After the big loss to LA Kings they will be eager to bounce back. Their coach is very demanding, so team should be flying out there after bad loss.

The Coyotes started very hot, but now they have cooled down. One reason is that goalie Bryzgalov have been human. In the first games he was simply unreal. The Coyotes also benefit from good coaching and hard work. But I do have doubts, that they are a real deal. Maybe next season.

Columbus is better and they are playing at home. I think that the Coyotes will keep loosing. They have been overachieving so far. Columbus is a good team and have all the tools to take this. Don’t expect many goals, but under has small value. Home win at 2.00 is decent value. Columbus win –0.5. Medium stakes. Good luck!

NY Islanders have caused me a lot of pain and financial minus so far. They seem to find a way how to take a game into overtime and kill my pick against them. Well… I’m still betting against them. Although it must be said that games between these rivals are usually very tricky. But the Islanders lost 5 out of 6 last season. So it won’t be easy. They will need a stellar goaltending to get some points out of this.

Then Rangers might be the streakiest team of then year. They won many games, then they dropped 3 games and now finally got a great win at home. I expect them to go on another winning streak by beating city rivals. Only one thing worries me: main scorer Gaborik might be out. But actually the Rangers have enough of quality even without him.

The Rangers at 2.00 or better is very good. They are a better team. Minimal travel. Should be motivated against the rivals. Let’s hope that the Islanders won’t pull another rabbit out the hat and bury me finally. Rangers win –0.5. Medium stakes. Good luck!

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Islanders got their first win against Carolina and then collapsed against Montreal. It’s not easy for them. Based on roster they are still the weakest team in the league and even talented (and hyped) John Tavares is not changing this. I’m sure that the Isles have something to prove, but still they lack quality. They need stellar goaltending to win games and so far they don’t have it.

The Capitals have managed to win 3 games straight. It hasn’t come easy, but they have been outscoring opponents. They will miss some important players. Loss of A. Semin is the biggest, but the Caps have still enough firepower. Atlanta managed to shutdown Backstrom – Ovechkin duo, but still lost. These guys rarely leave the ice without a goal twice in-a-row. And to be honest I can’t see anybody on the Islanders, who could neutralize them.

If the Caps get decent goaltending, then they should take this game. Islanders will fight, but they are clear underdogs here. The Caps will throw everything they got on them. Some bookies offer 2.00, or better for this game. I can’t look pass it. Fair odds are around 1.85. Let’s hope that the Caps won’t crap the bed and will get the job done. Washington win –0.5. Medium stakes. Good luck!

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It seems that the Canadiens are finding themselves. After a poor start they have won two straight games. It must be said, that Islanders are not world beaters and Atlanta played just poorly that night. But still... Habs are doing better, especially with good goaltending by Halak. He might start today once again.

The Rangers have stumbled in the past two games. They got destroyed by the Sharks and lost a tight game against the Devils. Both opponents are good teams, so no need to hit the panic button. Goalie Lundqvist wasn’t also at his best, but he usually rebounds after some poor nights. If the Rangers work hard, then they can beat anybody. They have enough offensive and goaltending talent.

I slightly prefer the Rangers in this one. I’m not fully convinced by the Habs, I think they haven’t been tested enough in the past two games. Now we should see from what they are made, because the Rangers is motivated to end this mini-slump. I think that odds for the Rangers are a tad high. Some bookies offer 2.45, fair odds are 2.20-2. 25. So I gladly take the Rangers in this tough game, because so far they have proven a lot more. Rangers win –0.5. Medium stakes. Good luck!

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Philadelphia Flyers - Boston Bruins

The Flyers had almost a whole week of rest after their poor performance against Florida. Overall they have dropped 3 games straight after starting strong. So players had a plenty of time to refocus and get back on track. Skill is there, they just need to get the job done. The Flyers have so far been solid on the power play and on the penalty kill also. No massive problems there. Usually it’s the effort that might be a problem. But now they should be ready, hungry and motivated.

Boston is playing back-to-back. They just barely defeated Nashville. Actually Nashville looked even better in that game. Boston’s main problem is also effort and motivation. So far they have been loosing 1 game, winning 1 game and again loosing.
Boston also misses some important players in Lucic and Savard. Missing Savard is going to hurt for sure. He is an elite center and Philadelphia has now advantage down the middle.

It’s a tricky game for sure. Boston won both games in Philadelphia, last year. But this year Boston is looking weaker. Plus, they are playing back-to-back after a tough game against Nashville. I just have to go with rested and (probably) motivated Philadelphia in this one. Won’t be an easy night for Boston. I don’t expect a cruising home win, but the Flyers do have a clear advantage. Everything above 1.90 is worth pulling the trigger. Flyers win –0.5. Medium stakes. Good luck!