2014 NHL Predictions: Chicago Blackhawks Return to Central Division Glory

2014 NHL Predictions: Central Division Preview – Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, and St. Louis Blues

One of the dumbest things about the realignment the NHL did last year is that two of the divisions only have seven teams in them. Though their road to the playoffs is comparatively easier with one less team to leap frog, their travel considerations and the talent of these divisions seem to balance things out. The Minnesota Wild spent a lot of money getting back into the playoffs, the Dallas Stars snuck in as the other wild card, and the Colorado Avalanche rose to the top of the division. Meanwhile, the Chicago Blackhawks continued their winning ways and the St. Louis Blues’ defensive system continued to win, getting better after the addition of Ryan Miller (now with the Canucks). With the Preds adding James Neal and getting Pekka Rinne healthy, they should be much improved too. Simply put, the Central Division is loaded.

1. Chicago ...

2014 NHL Predictions: Rangers, Devils, Penguins in Metropolitan Division Preview

Football is going strong in week five, baseball is in the playoffs, and excitement is brewing for the best time of the sports calendar… that said, all I can think about is hockey. Here’s our first preview of the season… my personal favorite, the former Atlantic, the Metropolitan division.2014 NHL Predictions: Metropolitan Division Preview The Pittsburgh Penguins dumped one of their big three, the New York Rangers lost a ton of depth, the Philadelphia Flyers are again relying on Steve Mason to have career-best success, and my New Jersey Devils added a bunch of key pieces. Hell, even the New York Islanders have a goalie. It’s going to be a fun 2014 NHL season, so let’s get out divisional previews rolling with the Metropolitan division.

1. New York Rangers (101 points) – I think they’ve turned a corner in terms of sustainable success. They lost some cap hit players but nothing too important to their general scheme. They’ve got arguably the ...

NHL Stanley Cup Final Predictions: LA Kings at NY Rangers Game Four

NHL Picks, Stanley Cup Finals Game Four: LA Kings at New York Rangers

What a great few games. There’s some conflict in the algorithm here, but strong signals for the Kings seem to be a general theme. This looks like a 50/50 coin flip game that we expect to be relatively close. The Kings are finding ways to win and Quick has been what Rangers fans hoped Lundqvist would be.

I don’t necessarily agree with the 99% call on the +1.5 line on the Kings. The danger of an empty netter alone should be reason enough for this dramatic figure ...

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 ...

MLB and NHL Picks Contest ($100): First Round Update Orioles at Yankees

NHL and MLB Picks Contest: First Round Standings Update – Baltimore Orioles at New York Yankees

The Baltimore Orioles erupted and destroyed the New York Yankees. We had 26 participants and only a handful of winners, congrats to you guys listed below. It’s the first round of a long contest, keep trying! This should be a fun one as we combine our MLB and NHL Picks contest.

Remember to like both pages! Our MLB Picks page is here: https://www.facebook.com/ZcodeMLBpicks?ref=hl

And this is our NHL Picks page: https://www.facebook.com/ZcodeNHLpicks

One Win:

Jackson Fisher ...

NHL Picks: New Jersey Devils at Buffalo Sabres

This is a heartbreak or hope game for me, so kindly ignore my various and blatant biases in evaluating this game. I think the Devils can make the playoffs. Here’s why:

1. The Columbus Blue Jackets are about to play three top teams. I think they could lose all three. They were sellers at the deadline and this is a deadly stretch in their schedule.

2. The Devils play the Caps later this week. Win and they leap both non-playoff teams to become the top threat to Columbus’ WC 2 spot.

3. ...

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, Edmonton Oilers Defeat Nashville Predators

NHL Picks Contest: Standings Update after Oilers Preds

Not many correct answers as our battle for second place rages on. The Edmonton Oilers knocked off the Preds in this week’s coin flip matchup, and only three of us got it right. The search for our $50 Runner Up continues. Again, Pat, please send us your e-mail so we can pay you your $100 prize and congrats again!

10 wins

Pat O’Reilley

9 wins

Elias Andersen ...

NHL Picks: Boston Bruins and St. Louis Blues Parlay Prediction

I don’t usually recommend parlays as part of a successful system. In most cases, they’re not profitable long term. Few experts are able to rely on them successfully (though a few of them work for us at Z-Code). For me, it represents an unnecessary danger and long-term risk that I avoid.

Here, however, with the lines as sharp as they are down the stretch, I think there’s value. I’m on a parlay here that has strong Z-Code support, but limited value by themselves.

I am a little nervous because the Minnesota ...

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 ...