NHL Playoffs Predictions: Canadiens, Rangers, Wild, and Ducks

NHL Playoffs Predictions: Habs, Ducks, Rangers, Wild in Second Round Let’s take a look at our bracket. We got the entire Eastern Conference right, and we’ve made profit on the first round of the NHL Playoffs again. We got five of the eight and missed the Minnesota Wild taking out the Blues and the Calgary Flames taking out the Canucks. Honestly, if Shea Weber doesn’t go down I think the Nashville Predators had a great chance at knocking off the Chicago Blackhawks. All in all, not a bad round. Our Finals picks are still alive, and we were low confidence on a couple of those losses. We won money in the first round, and now, with a better grasp of the NHL playoffs field, we look to build on it. Here’s my picks for the NHL Playoffs second round where I’ve got the New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens, Anaheim Ducks, and Minnesota Wild advancing.

New York Rangers vs Washington Capitals ...

NHL Picks: New York Rangers at Winnipeg Jets

The New York Rangers have been a little sloppy lately, but they’re still one of the best teams in hockey. Anchored in goaltending and defense, I think we can trust them here against a Winnipeg Jets team with a volatile offense and a bit of a losing skid.

The Jets are always tough to play at home. I think that this game being in Winnipeg is a little bit difficult for us here, but the value in the line is too much to pass on. I’m on it, and so is the computer.

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NHL Picks: Dallas Stars at New York Rangers

The Dallas Stars are coming off a bad loss and both teams are exhausted following back to backs. The Stars, however, are on the road in a very tough place to play. I think that gives the New York Rangers enough of an edge to justify the -150 line here and I’m jumping in.

New York is the stronger team overall and Dallas has been very streaky. The Stars are inconsistent, but go on long stretches of poor play and long stretches of good play. New York has been strong for most of ...

NHL Picks Contest ($100 Prize): New York Rangers at Vancouver Canucks

NHL Picks: New York Rangers at Vancouver Canucks

Today is the NHL Picks Contest’s second round with a $100 prize. As usual, I don’t really have a lean for you. Heck, that’s why we make it a contest game. The computer seems to find underdog value in the New York Rangers, with a 77% chance that they keep it within a goal or win the game outright. I agree that it will be a close game, but I certainly won’t have money on this one.

What I will do is play along in the NHL Picks Contest. It’s free to ...

NHL Picks Contest ($100 Prize): New York Rangers at Vancouver Canucks

NHL Picks Contest Round Two ($100 Prize): Rangers at Canucks

Saturday, December 13th

I liked this little rivalry after the coach swap, but now that John Tortorella is finally out of the NHL, this is just fun on its own. The New York Rangers have battled injuries and lost a little bit of depth this year, but the Canucks didn’t appear to be much deeper to begin the season. Adding veteran goaltender Ryan Miler seems to have made all the difference in Vancouver. That, and finally getting rid of Torts.

So, in our second round of a first-to-ten competition, who ya got? The Rangers are across the country, but I think they’re the better team. It’s also the front half of a back to back, but the back end is the Edmonton Oilers so I doubt that will have much of an impact here. This should be a nice defensive battle.

As always simply comment on this post pinned to ...

MLB Picks: Texas Rangers at New York Yankees

I still view the Yankees as a liability right now. They’ve suffered key injuries in a rotation that was supposed to be anchored in experience and deep. The lineup is old and fragile, and nobody is really performing how they are supposed to.

That said, guys like Carlos Beltran are starting to get hot and consistent veteran players like Derek Jeter and Ichiro have steadied the storm. This is a crucial stretch for the Yankees, not just this week but going forward. Young arms have filled the holes left by the big-name pitchers ...

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 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 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 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 ...