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 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 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 ...

NHL Playoffs Bracket Round Two: Penguins, Bruins, Blackhawks, Ducks

NHL Playoffs Picks, Round Two: Penguins, Bruins, Ducks, Blackhawks

Most of our bracket is still alive, and both Game Seven losses were destined to fall in the next round anyway so we’re in great shape if anyone followed for their office pools. We also hit three series lengths exactly, and would have had four if the Sharks pulled through. All in all we nailed the first round, but it only gets harder from here.

New York Rangers Vs Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh reminds me a lot of a cat playing with a mouse. Sure, they could kill it rather easily, but it’s more fun to come out of your net with a one-goal lead in the final 20 seconds, misplay the puck, go to overtime and lose on the first shot from the blue line. The cat often lets the mouse get away and rarely seems to care, but I’d rather be the cat than the mouse here. Pittsburgh has ...

NHL Playoffs Picks, Game Seven: Rangers Flyers, Sharks Kings, Avs Wild

NHL Playoffs Picks: Game Seven Predictions – Rangers Flyers, Sharks Kings, Avs Wild

I’m sticking to my bracket and my basic strategy of flat betting, so these picks should come as no surprise. We’re one more night away from a perfect bracket. Let’s hope these guys can close it out at home.

Rangers over Flyers – I think the back to back helps the deeper team and I trust the Rangers here. I think they have an edge in every major category and should win at home.

I’m on New York. 3-1

Sharks over Kings – Can San Jose really blow this lead and continue their playoff struggles? Maybe these guys just aren’t clutch? I mean all they have is Olympic champions and a Stanley Cup winner in net… that must be it! No, I think the Sharks played well, stole one on the road, then had one stolen back. This isn’t as dramatic as people are making it, and ...

NHL Picks: LA Kings at Washington Capitals

NHL Picks Contest: LA Kings at Washington Capitals

I think the LA Kings are a good team. They’re inconsistent at times offensively, but they’re deep and they have one of the best defensive groups from top to bottom in the NHL. Part of that is likely because Quick is so solid in net.

The Capitals are volatile and inconsistent and difficult to trust. They’re great when they want to be, or when they’re streaking, but they’re unpredictable. Ovechkin is having a wonderful season, but goaltending issues (even since Halak), lack of depth, and poor defensive play have doomed them this ...

NHL Picks Contest Standings Update Round Five ($100 Prize): Ducks Kings

NHL Picks Contest Standings Update (Round Five): Kings Ducks

I was a little disappointed this round, folks. Not only did we have one of our worst predictive performances of the year, but we also didn’t have much of a turnout. It’s certainly anyone’s game – as evidenced by the fact that nobody really moved around much in the standings this round. WE ONLY HAD SEVEN CORRECT GUESSES IN ROUND FIVE and our leaders failed to pad their leads.

The Anaheim Ducks blew it late, but they really didn’t deserve that one either. It was certainly an exciting game.

Here is what we’ve got after five rounds… and again, please keep participating! This gets a lot more fun for me when we have a larger pool to watch! We’ll have a contest post for every Tuesday until someone reaches 10 wins. $100 to the winner, $50 to second place:

3 Wins:

Elias Anderson ...

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 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 and Predictions 10/9: Ottawa Senators at LA Kings

NHL Picks and Predictions 10/9: Ottawa Senators Vs LA Kings

Not much to choose from tonight, so we’re reaching a little bit with a low confidence, non-system play. These are too sloppy teams right now, but both are immensely talented and anchored by skilled goaltending. This should be a fun one to watch.

Z-Code is torn. They recognize a high probability for an extremely tight game. With a 75% chance of +1.5 hitting, and an overtime friendly matchup, this should be close.

For me, Quick Vs Anderson sounds like under 5.5. Neither team is scoring much, which could put this one ...