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: LA Kings at Calgary Flames

Calgary isn’t the easiest team in the world when they’re at home. They always seem to be more competitive, and LA is on a back to back. This certainly isn’t the cleanest of match ups between a playoff team and a non-contender, but it still is exactly that.

As they fight for position, this is essentially a must-win game for the Kings. They’re on a huge winning streak and grabbing momentum, and they cannot allow the lowly Flames to snatch any of that away from them. They made a big move at the ...

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 ...

2013-14 NHL Predictions, Pacific Preview: Vancouver Canucks Still on Top?

Pacific Division 2013-14 NHL Preview and Predictions

1. Vancouver Canucks: New coach could signal a new era, but the departure of Cory Schneider should leave this goaltending unit a bit weaker than it’s been over the last few years. Even if Luongo isn’t the guy, however, there’s too much depth in Vancouver. The twins are playing for a contract, the defensive unit is great as always, and they have two legitimate scoring lines. I think that’s enough for one of the most consistent franchises in hockey to continue being consistent.

2. Anaheim Ducks: The Ducks lost Bobby Ryan ...

LA Kings Vs Calgary FLames: Free NHL Picks and Predictions

NHL Picks and Predictions: Featured Game – Calgary Flames at LA Kings

It’s an ugly night of hockey with only two games. The Boston Bruins are a 4-star favorite in one game, but that starts in an hour so I didn’t want to feature it. I’m low confidence there. The Kings are another favorite with strong Z-Code support – that’s our featured game tonight.

LA is on fire. After slumping through the first quarter of the season, they’ve finally woken up. The goaltending is there, the defense is there, and the scoring has finally arrived.

I think LA has the ...