NHL free pick of the day by Ron for February 2, 2012

Battle of the Losers

Recap: A road loss for Washington puts us even since our return from the break, and back to a game beneath .500 overall. Though we have been successful with road teams before, we are achieving more success on home teams. Historically the NHL has been a fairly even test on the road and at home. Lately home teams have the advantage. The Red Wings are pushing towards the record for consecutive home wins, set by the Bruins over seventy years ago. We’ll use this knowledge to push home teams unless a certain away line is too hard to resist.

Tonight we are going with a game that seems to be flying under the radar for most. Our game is the Minnesota Wild at the Colorado Avalanche. We have some irony with this choice. Last night we picked the away team while they were a point ahead of the home team in the same division. Tonight we are on the home team, a point behind the away team in their division.

The Avalanche have lost the last three, in desperate need of a win. They are also a candidate for the most fluctuating home team in the league, varying from brutal at home to one of the strongest over a short period. They will be looking to jump a point ahead of Minnesota with a win in regulation. Minnesota will be desperately trying to at least force overtime tonight to keep their place. Minnesota was dealt a demoralizing comeback loss last outing, and now they’re thrown out on the road where the mountains are big and the snow is deep. I suspect Colorado would rather be playing no one else for this one. The stadium should fill up nicely so we won’t need to worry about the Avs falling asleep.

 

Suggested Play:

Colorado Avalanche ML (1 unit) and -0.5 in Regulation (.5 units)

NHL Pick of the day by Ron for 01/22/2012

Time for an Underdog

Recap: Both games last night ended up in a shootout. Winnipeg loses at home and Detroit wins but does not cover by two goals. That means we’re all squared up again. Saturday is the day to make a big stride forward or get knocked back. Though we couldn’t capitalize and were punished for taking the extra game risk, we’re fortunate enough to still be even in the books. We’ll give ourselves a chance to break the spell for another winning record. With plenty of days to go, the good news is: all it will take for us is one game.

So let’s see how we’ll actually get back over .500 once again. Two interesting early afternoon games but only one night game to choose. Luckily it’s a good match up for us to make a pick. It is the Colorado Avalanche versus the Anaheim Ducks, or as I like to call them, the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (not anymore). So do we break out the quack chant once again since they gave us a win before? Or maybe it’s time to put faith in the Avalanche, the visiting team with a better record.

We picked the Ducks when they were heating up and now they’re officially hot…On a four game win streak and finally .500 (like us) at home. They’ve also finally surpassed the forty point mark. The Avalanche who were shuffling a bit are now back on track on their own two game streak. One thing to note is other last place divisional teams have been heating up as well, leaving Anaheim well back of the league pace.

The Avalanche need this game more, being well behind first place Vancouver. They need to build up points and establish themselves as a team that will be sealed for playoff action. There’s nothing more important to other teams right now then doing exactly the same. Both Colorado and Anaheim are on zero rest. After this road game the Avs return home to play the Wild. The tipping factor is that both teams (all teams) are coming into a big break soon. The Ducks had a more difficult win yesterday, over the Senators. Winning this game would be the most impressive for the Avalanche as of late. The signs point to the Avalanche, ready to grab a big two points before the break. They will treat this game more crucially than the Ducks. If you’ve been following you’ll remember I mentioned, beware of the away teams on back to back nights to catch the sleeping home team. That’s what we’re expecting to see tonight when someone’s streak will end!

Suggested Play: Colorado Avalanche ML and -.5 regulation (2 to 1 ratio).   we are on the underdog!!

Video Update: NHL Hockey Picks and Predictions for January, 2, 2012: Winter Classic 2012

Video Update: NHL Hockey Picks and Predictions for January, 2, 2012: Winter Classic 2012: Rangers vs Flyers, Sharks vs Canucks and more!