NHL

NHL Picks Contest ($100 Prize): LA Kings at Anaheim Ducks

NHL Picks Competition Round Five: LA Kings at Anaheim Ducks

The LA Kings are an excellent defensive team, but they’ve struggled offensively and remain maddeningly inconsistent. They can steal a win from anyone, but they can also lose to just about anyone as well. Without Quick, they’re a tough team to trust.

In our contest pick, the Kings play the second game in a back to back against a slumping Ducks team. Things simply haven’t clicked for Anaheim in the last few weeks, and most of it has been on the offensive end.

I expect a battle, which is why we’ve  ... 

NHL Picks 11/30: Buffalo Sabres at New Jersey Devils

Epic explosion down the stretch and the Devils came through in a game they had to have and a game we had them winning. Now you look at this line and you have to wonder.

First of all, I doubt z-code has this one right. Schneider went last night and with both goalies performing fairly well right now I highly doubt they run him out for two in a row. Then again, Schneider looked great and might be in line for two in a row if Deboer is feeling aggressive. I don’t think goaltending plays into this one though… not  ... 

NHL Picks Contest Round Five ($100 Prize): LA Kings at Anaheim Ducks

NHL Picks Contest Game, Round Five: Los Angeles Kings at Anaheim Ducks, Tuesday 12/3

The LA Kings have one of the league’s best and most consistent defenses, anchored by one of the best goalies in hockey. When they’re on, the Ducks have one of the most explosive offenses in hockey. They don’t allow goals too easily either. This is a battle between two elite NHL teams in the west.

Who ya got? Simply comment on our Facebook page to participate. The contest is still young, and anyone can enter. A three-game lead is far from insurmountable.

https://www.facebook.com/ZcodeNHLpicks

NHL Picks Contest ($100 Prize): Standings Update, Ducks at Stars Round Four

NHL Picks Contest ($100 Prize): Fourth Round Standings Update

Happy Thanksgiving, hockey fans. In a tight fourth round of our NHL Picks $100 Contest, we saw our only undefeated member fall. The competition got a whole lot tighter, as most of our contestants are a game back, and the whole pool has a chance to win this thing.

The Anaheim Ducks had control and a 2-1 lead in the third period when the home team erupted to steal this one. Quick, consecutive goals gave the Stars the lead, and the Ducks never recovered. It was a wild one in Dallas. Here are our results:

3 Wins:

Elias Anderson

Michal Janochowski  ... 

NHL Picks Contest ($100 Prize): Anaheim Ducks at Dallas Stars

NHL Picks Contest Game Round Four: Anaheim Ducks at Dallas Stars

Participation is a little down this week. Only one player has three wins, you can certainly still join now and win. If you’ve been playing along, keep going!

I think I’ve done it again here, guys. This game is as unpredictable as any we’ve chosen so far.

Looks like a total toss up to me. Ducks have finally figured it out and are winning… Stars have lost two in a row, but to very good teams and they’re home here. Line is a total toss up. Z-Code has this  ... 

NHL Picks 11/23: New York Rangers at Nashville Predators

NHL Picks: New York Rangers at Nashville Predators

The Nashville Predators have turned things around, but I think the New York Rangers are the better team. The Preds are without their franchise goaltender, and it’s taken a while for them to adjust. That being said, they enter with a three-game winning streak.

The Rangers will likely start a backup goalie here, but I don’t think it will matter. The Rangers defensemen, especially their top pairing, are among the best in hockey. I don’t expect many scoring opportunities for the Preds, who lack offensive firepower.

New York is starting to come  ... 

NHL Picks Contest ($100 Prize): Anaheim Ducks at Dallas Stars, 11/26

NHL Picks Contest ($100 Prize, $50 Runner-Up): Round Four – Anaheim Ducks at Dallas Stars 11/26

Still anyone’s game with only one undefeated contestant and I’m having a lot of fun with this. I hope you guys are too! Only one game on Tuesday, but I like the regularity we’ve established and I actually really like this game too. Participation is high – keep it up! That’s the fun of a competition like this.

The Anaheim Ducks have been struggling lately, and a hard-luck loss to the Devils made me smile from ear to ear. The Dallas Stars are a decent team and they’re playing well. Also, the game is in Dallas.

With only one game on the docket, watch for Vegas to manipulate the line and push money one way or the other. I truly believe the Ducks are the better team, but I also believe that the way both teams are playing right now is a key consideration.  ... 

NHL Picks Contest: Standings Update, Round Three ($100 Prize)

NHL $100 Picks Contest ($50 for second place): Standings Update Through Three Rounds

Looks like I got you guys again. 64 comments, 10 correct guesses. The Avalanche came through on home ice as underdogs for the select few of us who went against the grain.

Only Elias Anderson remains perfect through three rounds, but five competitors are hot on his trail and like I say every week it’s still anybody’s game. These contests tend to go well beyond ten rounds. Here’s how it looks after three:

3 Wins: Elias Anderson

2 Wins:

Michal Janochowski  ... 

NHL Picks: $100 Contest Round 3 – Chicago Blackhawks at Colorado Avalanche

NHL Picks: $100 Contest Game – Chicago Blackhawks at Colorado Avalanche

Round Three of our contest, and only two people have gotten both games right. This is still anybody’s contest for sure, so don’t forget to comment on the post pinned to the top of our Facebook page.

This is a fun one for me. The Avs have really been slumping, but they’re fantastic on home ice. They have speed, goaltending, and scoring. They’re not as balanced as the Blackhawks, but they can surely give them a game.

Z-Code agrees and this doesn’t really fit any systems. The Hawks are consistent, but they’re not necessarily dominant in their wins. This comes down to a 55/45 money line chance for victory, with 3 stars of underdog value on the home team, but two stars of value on the favorites. Our computer is as conflicted as I hoped the public would be when selecting this game for our competition.

The whole world seems  ... 

NHL Picks 11/15: Nashville Predators at Pittsburgh Penguins

NHL Picks and Predictions 11/15 – Nashville Predators at Pittsburgh Penguins

The Penguins are healthy, grumpy, home, and playing a team built around their goalie who happens to be injured. If the Pens can’t snap out of this mini-funk they’re in right now against the Preds, they’re in trouble.

Pittsburgh has the most dynamic top line in hockey, and Letang might be the best defenseman in hockey. I think they’re balanced, and if they’re aggressive on home ice they should dominate this game. I think Pittsburgh is clearly the better team.

The Preds are a strong franchise and have a  ... 

NHL Picks and Predictions – $100 Contest Standings Update

NHL $100 Contest – Standings After Two Rounds

– Remember, 2nd Place gets $50 too, so keep playing!

We had 47 comments on the last competition post, and only seven people got the game correct. Congratulations on those of you that picked the Flyers. Crazy game.

Watch for our next contest round being posted Friday for games next Tuesday. I’m going to try to keep in a rhythm to keep it easier to participate, but don’t forget to check back for regular game predictions as well!

2 Wins:

Michal Janochowski  ... 

NHL Picks 11/12: $100 Contest Round Two – Philadelphia Flyers at Ottawa Senators

NHL Picks and Predictions – $100 Contest Game Pick: Philadelphia Flyers at Ottawa Senators

I guess they can’t all be as challenging as our first round. I suppose that comes from picking games before the line is up to give everyone a chance to vote. Since we posted, the Senators went on a winning streak and the Flyers have continue to slump.

That probably explains the line, -140, and the Z-Code readout. It also probably explains why our Z-Code Facebook Community is all over the Senators. Still, I wouldn’t write off the Flyers just yet.

Ottawa has been a tremendously  ... 

NHL Picks 11/9: Chicago Blackhawks at Dallas Stars

NHL Picks 11/9: Chicago Blackhawks at Dallas Stars

This is a dangerous game and I understand the computer output here, but I respectfully disagree. The Dallas Stars are playing very good hockey, but I don’t think they’re as good as they’ve been playing. Challenge accepted!

Z-Code sees +122 as having five-star value with 44% odds for victory. For me that’s a slightly conflicting parameter and a strange signal. Z-Code is certainly on the Stars, but not with full confidence. The odds of victory favor the Blackhawks.

For me, the Blackhawks are the better team. The only reason I have hesitation  ... 

NHL $100 Facebook Contest: Round Two – Philadelphia Flyers Vs Ottawa Senators

NHL Contest Round Two: $100 Prize to 1st Place, $50 to 2nd!

Tuesday, Nov. 12 – Who will win between the Philadelphia Flyers and Ottawa Senators?

Normally I wouldn’t pick on the Flyers twice in a row, but they’re again involved in the best matchup on Tuesday so we’ll feature them in our contest. Two struggling teams get together in Ottawa for what looks to be another close game. Should be fun!

Simply like our NHL page comment on our Facebook contest post to be eligible for the contest. It’s only round two, so it’s still very much anybody’s game. Our baseball contest came down to a tiebreaker round that extended to Game Four of the World Series. Anything can happen, so get those votes in!

https://www.facebook.com/ZcodeNHLpicks/posts/549155431835778?notif_t=like

NHL Picks Contest Standings Update: Round One

We had 17 winners in the first round of our $100 dollar contest. Remember, this is a long competition (10 wins) and even second place gets a prize. Keep at it if it didn’t start how you wanted. We had 41 comments, not all of which were game picks, and 17 winners. It was a nearly perfect coin flip game. Those who picked the Flyers were robbed.

Here are our standings:

1 Win:

Dave Dumas

Michal Janachowski

David Salda  ...