Ice picks: Today's best NHL bets
Ottawa Senators at Boston Bruins (-166, 5)
There should be a ticker-tape parade in Boston, because it appears that goalie Tim Thomas is finally coming back down to earth. Thomas is 8-0 with an absurd 1.39 goals-against average and a sparkling .959 save percentage, but he has finally shown some cracks in his three most recent starts. Against Pittsburgh,
Washington and Buffalo, he combined to give up nine goals even though he picked up a pair of victories.
Against Washington, he was benched after giving up three goals through two periods.
"I understand," Thomas said. "Coach came and talked to me after the second period and told me what his thoughts were. And I said I understand and I agree."
But then again, he likely will return to orbit against Ottawa. Over the past three seasons he is 8-2 against the Senators with a sub-2.20 goals-against average. Included in those wins is a 4-0 win over Ottawa in Canada last month. In the victory he stopped 29 shots as the Senators squandered three power plays.
"The effort in front of me was great," Thomas said. "Our 'D' is doing an incredible job blocking shots when needed, clearing rebounds when needed. They're making life easy for me right now."
Pick: Bruins
New York Islanders at Los Angeles Kings (-251, 5.5)
The Kings are doing one of the hardest things in the game for a young team – buying into defense and back-checking.
Los Angeles is embracing the less glamorous side of the game as the team is tops in the NHL in goals against (1.9) and No. 1 in penalty kill (91.5). At home, the unit is even better, killing off all 26 enemy power plays and is the only team not to give up a tally down a man on home ice. The team’s ability to stifle opponents with the man advantage has allowed it to turn a mediocre attack into a potent one that can counter-attack at any time.
Substantial depth has helped this aggressive defensive approach, as no fewer than nine forwards saw at least 10 minutes of ice team in the team’s most recent game. On the blueline, six players registered at least 12 minutes off the bench.
"You can't back down in this league," defenseman Matt Greene. "We can't shy away if we want to get points and win in the playoffs."
They should get another two points against New York.
Pick: Kings
Ottawa Senators at Boston Bruins (-166, 5)
There should be a ticker-tape parade in Boston, because it appears that goalie Tim Thomas is finally coming back down to earth. Thomas is 8-0 with an absurd 1.39 goals-against average and a sparkling .959 save percentage, but he has finally shown some cracks in his three most recent starts. Against Pittsburgh,
Washington and Buffalo, he combined to give up nine goals even though he picked up a pair of victories.
Against Washington, he was benched after giving up three goals through two periods.
"I understand," Thomas said. "Coach came and talked to me after the second period and told me what his thoughts were. And I said I understand and I agree."
But then again, he likely will return to orbit against Ottawa. Over the past three seasons he is 8-2 against the Senators with a sub-2.20 goals-against average. Included in those wins is a 4-0 win over Ottawa in Canada last month. In the victory he stopped 29 shots as the Senators squandered three power plays.
"The effort in front of me was great," Thomas said. "Our 'D' is doing an incredible job blocking shots when needed, clearing rebounds when needed. They're making life easy for me right now."
Pick: Bruins
New York Islanders at Los Angeles Kings (-251, 5.5)
The Kings are doing one of the hardest things in the game for a young team – buying into defense and back-checking.
Los Angeles is embracing the less glamorous side of the game as the team is tops in the NHL in goals against (1.9) and No. 1 in penalty kill (91.5). At home, the unit is even better, killing off all 26 enemy power plays and is the only team not to give up a tally down a man on home ice. The team’s ability to stifle opponents with the man advantage has allowed it to turn a mediocre attack into a potent one that can counter-attack at any time.
Substantial depth has helped this aggressive defensive approach, as no fewer than nine forwards saw at least 10 minutes of ice team in the team’s most recent game. On the blueline, six players registered at least 12 minutes off the bench.
"You can't back down in this league," defenseman Matt Greene. "We can't shy away if we want to get points and win in the playoffs."
They should get another two points against New York.
Pick: Kings
