NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Picks Contest: LA Kings Vs NY Rangers

NHL Picks Contest Stanley Cup ($100): LA Kings Vs NY Rangers

After a goal scored on an offsides play, the LA Kings stole Game Seven to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals. They’re tired, playing seven games in each of their first three series, but they’re winners. The Rangers are hot, disposing of an injured Habs team and resting up for the big series. Both teams are anchored in goaltending. I think I hate the LA Kings more than anything in sports, but as a Devils fan I don’t want to see either team win. This seems like a good way to do a round of the contest, then… right?

Who will win the Stanley Cup this year? Simply Comment on our Facebook post to participate. Remember, the first to ten wins gets the $100 prize.

Here are our standings so far:

Four Wins

Izabela Janochowska ...

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 Playoffs Picks: Philadelphia Flyers at New York Rangers

We don’t have any big-confidence plays on Sunday. These series have all been battled out in lengthy fashion, and this is no exception. Game Five comes in 2-2 after both teams split at home. This is a whacky series.

The Flyers had some momentum, but starting Ray Emery was clearly a mistake. Mason came back in and shut down New York in Philadelphia. I don’t think they can take another one in New York though.

The Rangers appear to me to be the better team across the board. I like their weapons offensively better, though they’re very similarly isolated to a few lines. I love their defense, especially with Grossman out. I think that’s the edge on which the series will turn. Lastly, I think Lundqvist is the better goalie here.

The computer seems to agree. At -150, the computer has the Rangers as a 2.5-star favorite with a 59% chance ...

NHL Playoffs Picks: Philadelphia Flyers Vs New York Rangers

NHL Playoffs Picks: Philadelphia Flyers at New York Rangers

I suppose you could say this is one of my favorite rivalries because I hate both teams as a Devils fan. I think I hate the Flyers more. Cheapshots guised as physicality and 40 years of futility make the Flyers a bunch of scumbags. The Rangers, clinging to 1994, at least have some dignity in their storied history of mediocrity on the ice, right?

Truth be told, I don’t really trust Henrik Lundqvist. How arguably the best goaltender in hockey has won so little in the playoffs is beyond me. Even ...

NHL Playoffs First Round Picks and Predictions 2014

Atlantic Division

Boston Bruins vs WC 2 Detroit Red Wings Few teams have the depth of the Boston Bruins, which lends to their stability every season and particularly each postseason. They are anchored in goaltending and have sufficient defensive depth to make another great playoff run. The Detroit Red Wings have done a remarkable job this year battling injuries, but they’re simply inferior to the Boston Bruins. You can never right off a team like Detroit that fought so hard this season, but this series is Boston’s to lose.

Bruins in five

Tampa Bay Lightning vs 3. Montreal Canadiens I like Ryan Callahan. For a while, he was the only New York Rangers player I could respect. Putting him on a team with Steven Stamkos makes the Lightning very exciting for me. Ben Bishop is a big, talented goalie. Still, this is a very difficult series to predict. Carey Price is capable of taking over a game, and the Habs ...

NHL Picks Contest Standings Update: Round 13 – Avs Rangers

NHL Picks Contest: Round 13 – Avs Rangers

After the Colorado Avalanche fell flat against the New York Rangers, Pat O’Reilley is one win away from taking it all and this competition very suddenly becomes all about strategy. Remember, $100 to the first place participant and $50 to second place. Anything can happen in the final weeks. Good luck!

9 wins

Pat O’Reilley

8 wins

Gergely Tarjani ...

NHL Picks: Colorado Avalanche at New York Rangers, Contest Game

NHL Picks Contest Round 12: Colorado Avalanche at New York Rangers

As always, to participate in our contest, please simply comment on the NHL Contest post from earlier in the week on our Facebook page.

I like the Avs here. I recognize that they’re on a back to back and a little tired, but I think they can give the Rangers a game. After a thrilling comeback, I think the Avalanche have some momentum against an overly-rested Rangers team with mediocre goaltending. I think the West is this much better than the east, particularly the Met.

The computer sees a ...

NHL Picks Contest: Colorado Avalanche at New York Rangers

NHL Picks Contest Round 13: Colorado Avalanche at New York Rangers, Tuesday, February 4th

The New York Rangers have been inconsistent this year, but they’re turning it on with two Stadium Series wins. Henrik Lundqvist seems to have found his stride again, but against a speedy Colorado Avalanche team this is a tough one. Colorado has depth and skating, and they pose a difficult matchup for the Rangers defense – not the mention the superiority of the west as a whole…

Who ya got? Simply comment on our Facebook post pinned to the top of the page to participate. Remember, second place gets $50 and first place gets $100.

https://www.facebook.com/ZcodeNHLpicks

Good luck!

NHL Picks: Stadium Series, New York Rangers Vs New York Islanders

Stadium Series NHL Picks: New York Rangers Vs New York Islanders

The Stadium Series, which for me is little more than an NHL gimmick that takes the Winter Classic three steps too far, concludes with the Rangers and Islanders tonight in the second of the Rangers’ outdoor games this year. I’m actually excited for this game though, and love the line.

The New York Rangers are the better team this year in my opinion. The Islanders have been streaky, and are certainly capable of rising to the occasion on the big stage, but I don’t think they matchup well ...