Posted on
1/17/2008 4:42:42 PM
NHL Free Picks – Thursday Edition Eastern Conference
By Tim Furious
Toronto Maple Leafs (17-21-8) vs. Boston Bruins (22-18-4)
Thursday, January 17th --- TD Banknorth Garden, Boston --- 7:00pm EST
NHL Money Line: Boston -150 (5.5)
Toronto bullied a win over Carolina on Tuesday and is desperately looking to string some wins together. Unfortunately, those won’t come against Boston. The Bruins are 8-2 SU against the lowly Leafs in their past 10 meetings. While Boston allows 2.66 goals per game, only notching 2.59, the Leafs horrific defense allows a stunning 3.33 goals against.
As favorites, the Bruins are 9-4 and are a safer money bet as opposed to taking the puck line. The Bruins are 13-31 against the puck this season. They are also a favorable 4-2 SU in their past 6 games, while the total has gone UNDER in 7 of Boston’s last 10 games when playing Toronto.
Nothing is going right for the Leafs right now, and this meeting with Boston could not have come at a worse time. As underdogs, they instill little to no betting faith in their backers going 9-19 as dogs. Play the NHL betting lines safe and side with the Bruins in this one. Tim Thomas, the Burins’ goalie, is due to go south anytime soon, but it won’t be against the anemic Leafs.
NHL Free Pick: Boston (UNDER)
Montreal Canadiens (23-14-8) vs. Atlanta Thrashers (23-22-2)
Thursday, January 17th --- Philips Arenas, Atlanta --- 7:00pm EST
NHL Money Line: Atlanta -120 (5.5)
Atlanta’s Marion Hossa obliterated Detroit on Tuesday, and now the ‘other’ Dirty Birds fly home to take on the storied Montreal Canadiens. As dogs, the Canadiens are an even 11-11. Tipping the scales farther in their betting favor is that the Thrashers are 7-9 SU as favorites.
The oddsmakers feel that Atlanta is surging back in to the playoff picture due to a two-game winning streak over Pittsburgh and Detroit. But Montreal is a strong road team going 4-2 SU in their last 6 road games. They average a strong 3.09 goals per game and allow only 2.82 goals against.
The Thrashers aren’t very good at home, and have gone 4-9-2 SU in their last 15 games against Montreal. They allow a gaudy 3.23 goals against. The Habs also out shoot them 29.22-26.49 per game. Bet on the Canadiens as dogs in this one. Atlanta is not there yet.
NHL Free Pick: Montreal (UNDER)
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