Here are today's NHL Picks for Thursday, October 30, 2008
Ron's Straight Up Record: 77 wins 54 losses for (59%)
*Note: Ron went 11-4 (SU) on Saturday night and 13-0 (SU) on Saturday, October 28th for a combined Saturday record of 24-4!
Atlanta vs. NY Rangers
NHL hockey stats VS. Free NHL Picks
(5.5) (-230)
Ron's Comment: Trust me, I've been trying to find the 4th corner of this jigsaw puzzle myself and I'm having a hard time typing this comment out! However, of all the three seven o'clock games to put first on the rotation; why did the bookmakers put this one? Trap game? I think so, big letdown factor for the Rangers 4-2 win over their inter-state division rivals the Islanders and let's face it, the Thrashers are coming off a 7-0 lost to the Flyers, so who's really giving them a shot here? Rangers are coming down in class here and what better way to get traded off a bad hockey team they to play well in front of Glenn Sather and the NY Media.
Prediction: Atlanta 3 NY Rangers 2
NY Islanders vs. Philadelphia
NHL hockey stats VS. Free NHL Picks
(5.5) (-200)
Ron's Comment: I look at this Islanders line up and I just don't see secondary scoring and you can't depend on old veterans like Weight and Guerin anymore in this young kids league who are flying by these older veterans. Goaltending is an issue and they have an AHL defense at best. Flyers are now 3-0 without Briere.
Prediction: Philadelphia 4 NY Islanders 2
Tampa Bay vs. Buffalo
NHL hockey stats VS. Free NHL Picks
(5.5) (-175)
Ron's Comment: Big letdown game for the Lightning, as they put all their energy and focus on beating Toronto on Tuesday, they might have burned out their top line. Tampa Better get some secondary scoring, because Melrose is going to burn out his top line and his goalie can't continue to face over 40 shots a game. Look for Buffalo to rebound after their fatigue game vs. Ottawa. Buffalo had no legs or energy vs. Ottawa and they've been the recipient of a bad schedule to start the season. Close game, but the Sabres pull it out in the third period.
Prediction: Buffalo 4 Tampa Bay 3
Ottawa vs. Florida
hockey betting VS. NHL predictions
(-115) (5.5)
Ron's Comment: The Panthers beat Ottawa 3-1 last week in Ottawa; their goaltender Anderson was outstanding, so why start Vokoun tonight? Sens are 11-4 SU in their last 15 trips to Miami and it looks like Spezza is rolling!
Prediction: Ottawa 3 Florida 1
Montreal vs. Minnesota
hockey betting VS. NHL predictions
(-125) (5.5)
Ron's Comment: As predicted yesterday, the Wild had their minds on the Habs tonight and Montreal is starting to look like a team with the Century year pressure! Montreal needed a penalty shot and a shootout to be the Canes on Monday and looked rusty vs. Anaheim on Saturday. Plus, the players know their coaches (Lemaire and Tremblay) always want to beat Montreal.
Prediction: Minnesota 3 Montreal 2
Edmonton vs. Nashville
hockey betting VS. NHL predictions
(5.5) (-130)
Ron's Comment: Roloson was outstanding in the Oilers 1-0 lost to the Bruins on Tuesday, so look for him to play well again tonight, as he's playing for a trade out of Edmonton these days.
Prediction: Edmonton 4 Nashville 3
Carolina vs. St.Louis
hockey betting VS. NHL predictions
(5.5) (-125)
Ron's Comment: When you have a hot goalie, you ride him out! Cam Ward has been keeping his team in games and they are off tough lost over Montreal. St.Louis has been off 4 days, so they could come out rusty and they are starting their 3rd or 4th starter in Mason.
Prediction: Carolina 4 St.Louis 2
Boston vs. Calgary
hockey betting VS. NHL predictions
(5.5) (-145)
Ron's Comment: Julien going to ride his hot goaltender out and how can you blame him? Thomas is coming off two 1-0 shutout wins, but here's the bad news, Kiprusoff is coming off his own 3-0 shutout. The Flames are 4-1-1 vs. the Bruins since '97 and this is Boston's 3rd game in 4 nights.
Prediction: Calgary 3 Boston 2
Columbus vs. Colorado
hockey betting VS. NHL predictions
(5.5) (-173)
Ron's Comment: Andrew Raycroft is expected to get the nod tonight for the Avalanche and he's 2-0 in his spot starts this season. The Blue Jackets are 1-13 SU vs. Colorado at the Pepsi Center since entering the league. Not a good spot for Hitch's boys.
Prediction: Colorado 5 Columbus 2
Pittsburgh vs. Phoenix
hockey betting VS. NHL predictions
(5.5) (-115)
Ron's Comment: The difference in this game might be defense. When I've reviewing each team's line ups, the one thing that stands out is the Coyotes are a bit deeper at the Blue line then the Pens. Pittsburgh is 2-5-2 SU vs. the Coyotes in Phoenix and they are getting a rested up Coyotes team tonight, as they haven't played in 4 days. Rust could be a factor at the beginning, but it seems when they score, they score in bunches. Not a good betting spot for the Penguins here; they are 3-12-1 SU as a Road Underdog - Vs Non Conference Opponent - Coming off a Road loss as a Underdog and scored 1 or less goals FOR in their last game.
Prediction: Phoenix 4 Pittsburgh 3
Detroit vs. San Jose
hockey betting VS. NHL predictions
(5.5) (-145)
Ron's Comment: The Red Wings have played too much hockey of late and this is their 3rd game in 4 nights. Conklin is the penciled starter tonight for Detroit and San Jose is 18-4-1 (SU) since 1998 as Home Favorite - Total is 5.5 on 1 days rest and they are coming off a Home win as a Favorite.
Prediction: San Jose 3 Detroit 2
Vancouver vs. LA Kings
hockey betting VS. NHL predictions
(-110) (5.5)
Ron's Comment:Luongo has looked like a regular goalie thus far this season and you have to start wondering if wearing the C is too much for the ex-Val D'Or Foreur (Jr. Team) net minder? The Kings have really impressed me this season, I didn't think they would be this competitive, but if they can find a way to pepper more shots on goal, they could make it interesting down the stretch. The Kings are 7-4-1 (SU) Home Underdog, before a conference game on 2 days rest.
Prediction: LA Kings 4 Vancouver 3
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