NHL

2014 NHL Predictions: Chicago Blackhawks Return to Central Division Glory

2014 NHL Predictions: Central Division Preview – Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, and St. Louis Blues

One of the dumbest things about the realignment the NHL did last year is that two of the divisions only have seven teams in them.  Though their road to the playoffs is comparatively easier with one less team to leap frog, their travel considerations and the talent of these divisions seem to balance things out.  The Minnesota Wild spent a lot of money getting back into the playoffs, the Dallas Stars snuck in as the other wild card, and the Colorado Avalanche rose to the top of the division.  Meanwhile, the Chicago Blackhawks continued their winning ways and the St. Louis Blues’ defensive system continued to win, getting better after the addition of Ryan Miller (now with the Canucks).  With the Preds adding James Neal and getting Pekka Rinne healthy, they should be much improved too.  Simply put, the Central Division is loaded.

1. Chicago  ... 

2014 NHL Predictions: Rangers, Devils, Penguins in Metropolitan Division Preview

Football is going strong in week five, baseball is in the playoffs, and excitement is brewing for the best time of the sports calendar… that said, all I can think about is hockey. Here’s our first preview of the season… my personal favorite, the former Atlantic, the Metropolitan division.2014 NHL Predictions: Metropolitan Division Preview The Pittsburgh Penguins dumped one of their big three, the New York Rangers lost a ton of depth, the Philadelphia Flyers are again relying on Steve Mason to have career-best success, and my New Jersey Devils added a bunch of key pieces. Hell, even the New York Islanders have a goalie. It’s going to be a fun 2014 NHL season, so let’s get out divisional previews rolling with the Metropolitan division.

1. New York Rangers (101 points) – I think they’ve turned a corner in terms of sustainable success. They lost some cap hit players but nothing too important to their general scheme. They’ve got arguably the  ... 

NHL Stanley Cup Final Predictions: LA Kings at NY Rangers Game Four

NHL Picks, Stanley Cup Finals Game Four: LA Kings at New York Rangers

What a great few games. There’s some conflict in the algorithm here, but strong signals for the Kings seem to be a general theme. This looks like a 50/50 coin flip game that we expect to be relatively close. The Kings are finding ways to win and Quick has been what Rangers fans hoped Lundqvist would be.

I don’t necessarily agree with the 99% call on the +1.5 line on the Kings. The danger of an empty netter alone should be reason enough for this dramatic figure  ... 

NHL Stanley Cup Picks Game Three: New York Rangers Vs LA Kings

NHL Stanley Cup Finals Picks Game Three: LA Kings at New York Rangers

Desperation is a powerful thing in the postseason. The New York Rangers have their backs to the wall and they return home with the series essentially on the line right here. They’ve had big leads in both games and there’s been three overtime periods so far, all on the road. The Rangers can play with the Kings and now they have home ice and matchup edges thanks to the last change.

But the Kings are surging and look good.

This is a dangerous game for me and I  ... 

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Picks Contest: LA Kings Vs NY Rangers

NHL Picks Contest Stanley Cup ($100): LA Kings Vs NY Rangers

After a goal scored on an offsides play, the LA Kings stole Game Seven to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals. They’re tired, playing seven games in each of their first three series, but they’re winners. The Rangers are hot, disposing of an injured Habs team and resting up for the big series. Both teams are anchored in goaltending. I think I hate the LA Kings more than anything in sports, but as a Devils fan I don’t want to see either team win. This seems like a good way to do a round of the contest, then… right?

Who will win the Stanley Cup this year? Simply Comment on our Facebook post to participate. Remember, the first to ten wins gets the $100 prize.

Here are our standings so far:

Four Wins

Izabela Janochowska  ... 

NHL Playoffs Picks: LA Kings at Chicago Blackhawks

NHL Playoffs Picks, Predictions: LA Kings at Chicago Blackhawks

I think the Blackhawks have to be the favorite to win the Stanley Cup at this point. They’ve got a deep team of proven winners, clutch scoring, and good defense. It’s going to be hard for a team like LA, experienced as they are, to take them out.

Again, I see value in the line and so does the computer. -150 is a slim price to pay for a team of champions on home ice against the LA Kings. The Kings have worked hard to get where they are, but they  ... 

NHL Playoffs Picks Contest ($100 Prize): Chicago Blackhawks at LA Kings

NHL Playoffs Picks and MLB Picks Contest ($100 Prize): Chicago Blackhawks at LA Kings, Saturday, May 24th

I think we all agree the Blackhawks are the better team in this series, but on the road with a few games to go to reach the Stanley Cup anything can happen. Chicago is a deep team with proven winners and talented scoring. LA is a deep team with stout defensemen and an excellent goalie. Will they defend home ice?

As always, simply comment on this post in our Facebook page to participate.

https://www.facebook.com/ZcodeNHLpicks

NHL Playoff Picks: Anaheim Ducks Vs LA Kings

This has been a truly phenomenal series, and my advice here continues to be to avoid these teams. The Ducks are hot, the Kings are experienced, and both are playoff winners. The Ducks were the better team all year, but when you get into the playoffs, you can’t mess around with the Kings. They’re too deep, too defensively talented, and too experienced.

I think the Ducks will win, and I think they have the talent to control this game and keep the momentum going. I just don’t really like the way these teams matchup. The computer leans to the Ducks  ... 

MLB and NHL Playoffs Picks Contest: New York Yankees Vs NY Mets

NHL and MLB Picks Contest Standings Update Round Five: New York Yankees Vs New York Mets

Say hello to your new leader, folks. Izabela Janochowska slides into sole possession of first place by picking the New York Mets to upset the New York Yankees in the Bronx in Game Two of the Subway Series. Don’t forget to follow both pages!

Four Wins:

Izabela Janochowska

Three Wins:

Tommy Lemieux  ...