NHL 2010.01.11 final 2 picks:
San Jose Sharks @ Los Angeles Kings
This is a game between two division rivals, that had a matchup 3 games ago, in January 4. Today, they will face each other again, but this time in Los Angeles.
Sharks are a strong contenders to Stanley cups and that's unquestionable. However, despite the good runs are bigger than the bad ones, they still have to improve in order to manage better a losing game. The 5 straight losses they had in the beginning of December shows it. Since that bad run, they made a a 8-0 run, only stopped in January 4, at home, against Kings. Their last game was also a loss at home, against Detroit, and even they were strong at that game, they weren't able to get a win against the sneaky and experienced Red Wings. Sharks are not a team with fear to play on road, as their record on road is similar to home games. This team is strong enough, and wants to have a better competitive game, that makes this team play the same goad on road and at home.
Kings are making a great season, surprising everyone. But since the hot streak they had, they are now showing some decrease in their performs, with a 4-7 record in last 11. The most of that wins were against teams that have been surprised, as they were expecting a easy team, and Kings fought for the game. Their last two games were 2 defeats at home, against Red Wings and Blues, teams that can faces road games without fear.
Today we will have a revenge spot. Sharks are not happy at all with Kings, that made them stop their winning streak at home, and by big numbers. Today, Sharks will not be surprised, will take control of the game, and manage a easy win, as they are better on road than Kings at home. They can be better on offense and better on defense, despite being the visitors.
Pick: San Jose Sharks PL -1.5 +220 (3.20) The Greek
Nashville Predators @ Vancouver Canucks
Just before Christmas, Predators went to Vancouver. In that day, Canucks won 4-1, and we can expect something similar today. Despite a good season so far in Canadian soil by Predators, they usually struggles on Vancouver.
Predators had a bad start and seems that they are returning to that time. Their last games have been losses or unconvincing, and despite the stats shows that they are not suffering many goals is due to the fact that they have faced many "soft" and that didn't make any pressure. When they faces strong offensive teams, their defense seems like small kids, with their legs shaking. They got an average of 3 goals allowed per game on road, and it's a nice stat if you look to boxscores and see that Predators usually allow the double of the shots they take on road.
Canucks are in a different direction, as they are improving and stronger day by day. At this point, we can say that in last 9 games, Canucks only lost 2 games on OT, winning 6 covering the PL and 1 on OT. Great results that should give us confidence to bet on them minus -1.5 goals. But the last game, they lost, at home, on OT, and will certainly looking for revenge today, as they will face another Canadian team. With a 3.48 goals per game, they can add a 1.96 goals allowed per game, something that make them strong on offense as well than defense.
So, today we can expect a hard Canucks team, trying to show that they are really hot right now. The last time Predators went to Vancouver, Vancouver were coming from a home loss as well, and get revenge against Predators. That game was soft to Predators, despite the 4-1 loss, because Canucks controlled the game from the first to last minute, with no many facilities. Today, we can expect a Canucks team that knows what will face, and taking their opportunities.
Pick: Vancouver Canucks PL -1.5 +170 (2.70) The Greek
