NHL Picks Contest ($100 Prize): New Jersey Devils at Columbus Blue Jackets

NHL Picks and Predictions: New Jersey Devils at Columbus Blue Jackets (Competition Round Six)

Well, we can definitely pick ’em. It’s another coin flip game with coin flip odds for the sixth round of our competition. Two mediocre teams, which for me is more difficult to predict than two talented teams, do battle in Columbus. I’d say the Devils are the better team, but they’re on the road and I think that mitigates such an advantage. The Devils are coming off a big win, but the Blue Jackets have been more consistent lately. This should be a grind.

Both teams ...

NHL Picks Contest Round Six: New Jersey Devils at Columbus Blue Jackets

NHL Picks Contest Round Six ($100 Prize): New Jersey Devils at Columbus Blue Jackets 12/10

Two mediocre teams do battle in Columbus on Tuesday. Unimpressive as these two have been, I think it’s the most difficult game to predict in a full day of hockey.

The Devils are anchored in their excellent goaltending, but the offense has really struggled without Ilya Kovalchuk. They’re streaky, but right now they’re very cold.

Columbus nearly made the playoffs last season on the strength of their goaltending, but injuries have hurt them offensively. This should be a grind. I don’t see where the goals will come from.

Who ya got? Simply comment on our Facebook contest post with who you think will win. In round six, our leader still only has three wins.

https://www.facebook.com/ZcodeNHLpicks

NHL Picks: New Jersey Devils at New York Rangers, Hudson River Rivalry

NHL Picks and Predictions: New Jersey Devils at New York Rangers

This might be my favorite rivalry in hockey. Even though the Devils are exhausted and slumping, I expect a battle.

I don’t think the New York Rangers are that good. They’ve got one of the best defensive top pairings in hockey, and their goaltender, who just inked a massive contract, is definitely one of the best in hockey. Still, over the past few years, the Rangers haven’t had much success against the Devils. From “Henrique, it’s over!” to bad bounces off the stanchions of the Prudential Center, or even ...

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: Chicago Blackhawks at Florida Panthers

NHL Picks and Predictions: Chicago Blackhawks at Florida Panthers

Okay, maybe it’s crazy to follow me when my heart is involved. I don’t know how the Devils won the last game we featured, but I’ll take a 4-0 romp out of those New York jerks any day. Sorry, just had to relish that moment one more time before getting into this pick:

Z-Code and I love the BLackhawks. They’re consistent, they’re fundamentally sound, they’re well coached, they’re deep, and they win.

I do fear the upset on the road against the Florida Panthers. This is a decent team, not far ...

NHL Picks 10/19: New York Rangers at New Jersey Devils

NHL Picks and Predictions: New York Rangers at New Jersey Devils

Have there been two more disappointing teams this season than the Rangers and Devils? The whole Metropolitan Division is a mess, and these teams are no different.

I think it’s hard to deny the value on the Rangers here, even as a die-hard Devils fan. Henrik Lundqvist is a tough guy to bet against, though he seems distracted by his contract issues. The Rangers look like they’re having trouble adjusting to a new system, and they haven’t started well.

The Devils can’t score. They have injuries and lack top-end talent ...

NHL Picks and Predictions 10/4: New Jersey Devils Vs New York Islanders

NHL Picks and Predictions 10/4: New York Islanders at New Jersey Devils

These aren’t the New York Islanders of old. Nor are they the New York Islanders of the 80s. The New York Islanders are somewhere very much in between – no longer terrible but still not a legitimate contender.

The New Jersey Devils aren’t the Devils of old either. Gone are the days of reasonable Stanley Cup expectations, and here are a bunch of long-shot underdogs in the final days of a living legend in net. They already had one magical Stanley Cup run… maybe this group has a run ...

NHL Predictions 2013-14, Metropolitan Division: New York Rangers or Pittsburgh Penguins?

NHL PREDICTIONS, 2013-14 SEASON PREVIEW: Metropolitan Division

The NHL season returns to us this week, so we thought we’d throw some season previews and predictions your way. My favorite division after the shuffle is definitely the Metropolitan Division. It’s comprised of eight teams that could conceivably be playoff contenders, that now must battle through each other to try to make the postseason.

As a Devils fan, I hate the new system and hate this new division. It’s absolutely loaded. Nevertheless, this is definitely the most fun division for me to break down. Might as well start out the season having ...

NHL Picks and Predictions: Florida Panthers at New Jersey Devils

NHL Picks and Predictions – Florida Panthers at New Jersey Devils

One of my greatest hockey memories came last season… Game Seven, double overtime, first round of the playoffs. Thousands of dollars on the line, a beautiful girl beside me, in Florida at the game in enemy territory when Adam Henrique buried the game winning goal, pushing the Devils through the first round and ultimately to the Stanley Cup.

Martin Brodeur has 665 wins. This could be historic win number 666 – the Devils’ number, and the Devils’ goalie. I don’t think mere Panthers, struggling this year and banged up considerably, ...

NHL Power Rankings: Chicago Blackhawks Running Away from the Pack

With only one game of hockey, we thought it was a good time to feature our NHL power rankings by Mark. We’re on the Ducks in that game, but still waiting for Z-Code analysis to confirm our pick.

1. Chicago Blackhawks – At 9-0-2, this team looks unstoppable. How can they not be #1?

2. Pittsburgh Penguins – The Pens are the best team in the East and have the most weapons. How will they blow a Stanley Cup run this year?

3. New Jersey Devils – Save for one game, the Devils are on fire. With cleaner play, this is one of the best teams in hockey.

4. Boston Bruins – Tim Thomas just got traded to the New York Islanders, but it’s Rask’s team now.

5. Anaheim Ducks – Both goalies are playing well, but this offense is out of this world.

6. San Jose Sharks – After a hot start, the Sharks have fallen off a bit lately. ...