NHL Playoffs Picks: Second Round Bracket Predictions, Caps Penguins

NHL Playoffs: Round Two Predictions, Caps Penguins, Blues Stars Well, that was the worst first round we have ever had at Z-Code. We went 4-4 in the first round, but 10-0 on our progression wagers. We finished up 3.84 units overall after deciding not to hedge out of our +320 Ducks bet when they were up 3 games to 2. I guess we got greedy. I had the Ducks winning it all this year. Swing and a miss.

Now, we regroup. We’re playing with house money a little bit here. Still, I had my eyes set on a $1,000 ...

NHL Playoffs Picks: Chicago Blackhawks at St. Louis Blues

NHL Playoffs Picks: Chicago Blackhawks vs St. Louis Blues I know the Chicago Blackhawks are always a trendy pick, what with their Stanley Cups and their playoff consistency, but this pick is more about the St. Louis Blues’ struggles than Chicago’s triumphs. The Blues just do not know how to win in the NHL playoffs.

I like the St. Louis Blues. I enjoy teams built in defense and goaltending, it reminds me of my own Devils. Still, the offensive shortcomings of a goalie-dominated league have led to the St. Louis Blues not being able to get over the hump. When ...

NHL Picks: Expert Hockey Predictions for Today – Caps, Ducks, Blues

NHL Picks: Today’s Expert NHL Predictions – Caps, Ducks, Blues Let’s try this again. We’re nearing the end of the season and that was our first day losing a unit or more in 3 months. As a result, when three more games fit my NHL system again today, let’s try to get some of that back. Once again, we will be laying out all the forum plays in the system today. We like the Anaheim Ducks, the Washington Capitals, and the St. Louis Blues.

While I’m disappointed that the Vancouver Canucks pulled out a win last night, I’m confident they ...

NHL Picks: St. Louis Blues at Arizona Coyotes

NHL Picks: St. Louis Blues at Arizona Coyotes I do not trust the Arizona Coyotes. I’ve never liked this organization and I think hockey in the desert has been a tremendous mistake. What’s more, they have never really put together a high caliber roster. Now they have some young pieces in place this year, but without consistent defense and goaltending I don’t think the Coyotes have a shot at remaining competitive down the stretch.

The St. Louis Blues are the opposite of the Coyotes. They have consistency and a strong system. The Blues don’t necessarily have a potent offense, but they ...

NHL Picks: LA Kings at St. Louis Blues

NHL Picks: LA Kings at St. Louis Blues I still hate the LA Kings. I still have all the jabs I used when betting against them earlier this week. I still think they’re a bunch of terrible fans and a terrible organization. I have very much enjoyed their struggles on this grueling road trip. I will try to suck out a little more money from this road trip as the LA Kings offense continues to struggle and they take on one of the best defenses in hockey, with one of the hottest goalies right now, when they visit the St. ...

NHL Playoffs Picks: Minnesota Wild at St. Louis Blues

NHL Playoffs Hockey Picks: Minnesota Wild at St. Louis Blues

I don’t really mind Jake Allen being named the starter tonight, even if he was primarily a backup all season. He posted 22-7-4 record and has been exceptional of late. In fact, I think he gives St. Louis an edge because their platoon has faltered in the playoffs and going with the hot hand is the right strategy here.

On the flip side, Devan Dubnyk has given the Minnesota Wild some stability in net this year. While I have never been impressed with him overall, he’s stood out this season ...

NHL Picks: St. Louis Blues at Philadelphia Flyers

The Philadelphia Flyers are a tough team to bet against at home. They’ve been on a decent streak at home, beating tough teams like the surging Caps on home ice. This is a different team in Philly, but it’s still not a great team.

For me, the Western Conference is vastly superior and the line is just too juicy. I know this is a trap because a quick glance at these teams’ respective records leave us expecting a St. Louis Blues win for sure. That said, there’s value in this trap and ...

NHL Picks: St. Louis Blues at San Jose Sharks

NHL Picks: St. Louis Blues at San Jose Sharks The San Jose Sharks are a tremendous team on home ice. The Shark Tank is intimidating and the high-powered scorers that the roster is built around enjoy the right to last change on face offs.

The St. Louis Blues are on the road, on a back to back, in a long slump, and all parameters of the system fit. The only hesitation here comes from how sloppy the Sharks have been of late, so we temper our wager and expectations accordingly.

The computer sees a 60% chance of victory for the San Jose Sharks with 3.5 stars of value in the line. I think this is a high-value play, and were the Sharks playing better hockey we’d be all over this one. Instead, we go in with caution for a small wager with low confidence here.

Sharks 4 – Blues 2

NHL Picks: Boston Bruins and St. Louis Blues Parlay Prediction

I don’t usually recommend parlays as part of a successful system. In most cases, they’re not profitable long term. Few experts are able to rely on them successfully (though a few of them work for us at Z-Code). For me, it represents an unnecessary danger and long-term risk that I avoid.

Here, however, with the lines as sharp as they are down the stretch, I think there’s value. I’m on a parlay here that has strong Z-Code support, but limited value by themselves.

I am a little nervous because the Minnesota ...

NHL Picks Contest ($100 Prize): San Jose Sharks at St. Louis Blues

NHL Picks Contest Round Seven ($100 Prize): San Jose Sharks at St. Louis Blues

I’ve picked another dandy for our competition. I give myself full credit for why you guys can’t break through and put a winning streak together. This is another coin flip.

The line has the Blues as slight favorites, but they’re on a back to back and played a very sloppy game on Monday. The Sharks are on the road, where they’re not nearly the same team. They’re on quite a skid and this is a dangerous spot for their poor play to continue. Blues have a ...