NHL Picks: The Z-Code System NHL Forum, Member Services

NHL Picks: A Look Inside Our NHL Forums Following New York Rangers Win vs New York Islanders

I wanted to bring your attention to what goes on inside the walls of the VIP Club today. A lot of times I think people don’t realize exactly what our service is and it’s hard to get a full grasp of everything we offer solely from the screenshots provided here. Following a win for my NHL Picks Forum inside the VIP Club of the Z-Code community (that I did not post to this Facebook board), I just wanted to show you guys what  ... 

FREE NHL Picks Contest ($100 Prize): Flames at Avalanche

NHL Picks Contest ($100 Prize): Calgary Flames at Colorado Avalanche

Saturday, March 14th

The Calgary Flames are in position to contend for a playoff spot this year. They’ve been better on the road this year and found a goalie who can win them hockey games. Meanwhile, the Colorado Avalanche have been incredibly disappointing after a wildly successful season last year. The Avalanche are playing better lately, though, and they look good at home. Who do you have winning this one in Colorado, straight up? Simply comment on this post pinned to the top of our Facebook page to participate!

We had an exciting contest round last week – most of our audience was divided on the game and it ended up being a 1-0 overtime thriller with the Pens triumphing over the Kings in LA. There’s a lot of clutter at the top, and it’s still anyone’s game. Remember – first to ten wins gets the $100 Prize and don’t  ... 

NHL Picks: St. Louis Blues at Philadelphia Flyers

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: Anaheim Ducks at Arizona Coyotes

NHL Picks: Anaheim Ducks at Arizona Coyotes

The Arizona Coyotes are dead. They are just one point ahead of the Edmonton Oilers (the other leg of our parlay tonight), and have lost a baffling nine consecutive games. This isn’t a tough road trip, this isn’t a bad stretch in the schedule – this is a terrible hockey team.

As someone with something of a personal vendetta against this team, I couldn’t be happier as they tiptoe ever closer to a double-digit losing streak. I try to keep emotions out of my handicapping, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t  ... 

Free NHL Picks Contest ($100): Pittsburgh Penguins at LA Kings

NHL Picks Contest ($100 Prize): Pittsburgh Penguins at LA Kings

Saturday, March 7th

The LA Kings seem to make it to the Stanley Cup Final every year, while the Pittsburgh Penguins seem to be preseason favorites each season. This is a battle of two of the premier teams in hockey. The Penguins will be a long way from home, but I think they’re the better team overall – especially in the regular season. Meanwhile, the LA Kings have been surging of late and on their own ice they certainly are difficult to beat.

Who do you think will win? As always, our NHL Picks Contest is free to participate. Simple comment on this post, pinned to the top of our Facebook page, to participate.

Here are our NHL Picks Contest standings after the Penguins defeated the Caps (A game we predicted the score exactly if you followed along on game day). Congrats to our new leader, Duane:

Six Wins

Duane  ... 

NHL Picks: Anaheim Ducks at Dallas Stars

NHL Picks: Anaheim Ducks at Dallas Stars

The Stars have some weapons and various players are having great seasons in order to keep them in the hunt. That said, they’ve fallen off completely of late and the Anaheim Ducks are turning a corner. Anaheim has won four of five while the Stars have lost five straight.

The Ducks are an elite team in the NHL this season. On a winning streak, they’re one of the more difficult teams to face in hockey. They’ve rested up for this road trip and should be prepared for the Stars. I don’t think Dallas can  ... 

NHL Picks: Washington Capitals at Carolina Hurricanes

NHL Picks: Washington Capitals at Carolina Hurricanes

The Washington Capitals are the much better team. The Caps have been on a nice stretch before two tough losses, and I think they’re ready to bounce back against one of their old division rivals.

The Canes have been sloppy this year and at the basement of a very top-heavy Metropolitan Division. The Caps are fighting for a playoff spot, and though they’re on the road, I expect them to play well against a familiar opponent.

The Caps will bounce back after playing good teams. Meanwhile the Canes are dumping talent and have  ... 

Free NHL Picks Contest ($100 Prize): Penguins Capitals

NHL Picks Contest: Pittsburgh Penguins at Washington Capitals

Z-Code Prediction

This is an interesting one for the latest round of our NHL Picks Contest. The computer has a five-star underdog pick for the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Washington Capitals. I have no such confidence, and there is some serious conflict in the algorithm. Either way this should be a fun one.

The Penguins have started to find their stride and are scoring again as their better players are finally starting to get healthy. The Washington Capitals are playing excellent hockey and are settling into a playoff position in the East. This could be a playoff preview.

I like this rivalry – even if I don’t buy into how much the NHL has hyped it up over the years. I’ll be avoiding this one because I agree that there is underdog value in the line but expect the Capitals to battle on home ice. Rather than place a wager, I suggest  ... 

NHL Picks: Edmonton Oilers at Minnesota Wild

NHL Picks: Edmonton Oilers at Minnesota Wild

The Minnesota Wild have been good to us lately. They’ve consistently defeated teams they should be beating, and we’ve made some money on their most recent run. You could feel the momentum building up and the playoff push beginning. It was a great time to back them, and they’ve come through. The Edmonton Oilers are a team the Minnesota Wild should beat. That said, -280 has very limited value for me in hockey.

I like the Wild here, but I’m looking for parlay value and will be conservative with my money line wager.  ... 

NHL Picks: Nashville Predators at Buffalo Sabres

NHL Picks: Nashville Predators at Buffalo Sabres

The Preds are coming off a tough loss to a weak team and the road trip continues, making this an interesting game given the sharp line. That said, the Nashville Predators are quite simply the better team here and I don’t see how the Buffalo Sabres will keep pace.

I see some parlay value here and expect a money line win from the Predators, but I won’t be investing aggressively here. The line is very sharp, the Predators are tired, the backup is in net, they’re on the road, and the Sabres aren’t  ...