Posted on 2/22/2008 3:43:06 PM

NHL Betting Furious Free Picks 1

By Tim Furious

Detroit Red Wings (42-15-5) vs. Calgary Flames (31-22-8)

Friday, February 22nd --- Pengrowth Saddledome, Calgary --- 9:00pm EST

NHL Betting Line: Detroit -115

Detroit dominates every single statistical category against the Flames. So why are they such slim favorites? Well for one, their blue line just took a huge hit with Lidstrom reportedly being out for three weeks with a knee sprain. Couple that with the fact they were already in a 1-6 SU tailspin over their past 7 games. Now they collide with Calgary, a team that is 5-2 SU in their past 7 games at home. Can Calgary notch a victory on their belt against Detroit? It would be the first time in five meetings if they did.

The Flames are sure catching the Red Wings at the right time. After ending a horrific six-game skid with a shutout victory over the Avs, the Wings then lost Lidstrom who joins Hasek and Rafalski on the injured reserve. That leaves the blue line awfully thin for Detroit. It’s not that I don’t have faith in Chris Osgood between the pipes, but he has little help in front of him now. His 2.11 goals against average will be tested over the next little while.

And the tests don’t come tougher or more tenacious than in the form of Jarome Iginla. Iggy is usually help in check by the stiff play of Lidstrom. But with him out of the equation, Iginla should find some open chances against Osgood. With victories over San Jose, Dallas and Phoenix in their past five games, Calgary is beginning to show the same swagger that has irked them in to the playoffs each season. Expect that swagger to equate in to a betting victory for their backers.

NHL Free Picks: Calgary -105 (OVER)

St. Louis Blues (28-23-9) vs. Anaheim Ducks (34-23-7)

Friday, February 22nd --- Honda Center, Anaheim --- 10:00pm EST

NHL Betting Line: Anaheim -220

Anaheim is becoming the team to beat in the NHL in a hurry. They are 7-1 SU in their past 8 games, and have become a juggernaut at home with a 9-2 SU record in their last 11 games in the Pond. Teemu’s presence has given this team a reliable scoring threat that is simply dominating the league right now. Teemu has five points in eight games this season so far. It’s like he’s wasting no time getting back in to the thick of things.

St. Louis has always given the Ducks fits though, as demonstrated by their 3-2 SU record in their past five meetings. The Blues are 4-2 SU in their past five games behind some outstanding offensive production. They have averaged 3.2 goals per game over the last five games. Paul Kariya has been worth every bit of free-agent money the Blues paid to acqurie him. He has 51 points on the season, and always plays well against the franchise he helped lift off the ground after it was hatched. Kariya has a rightful place amongst the hearts of all Ducks fans.

But even he won’t be enough to stop the onslaught that is becoming the Ducks. Aside from the scoring chemistry they are showing by climbing out of the scoring gutter with an average of 2.8 goals per game in their past five, they are also shutting the opposition down with ease. The Twin Towers continue to bash forwards heads in while J.S. Giguere is becoming the team’s MVP. Giggy has held the fort in the net, allowing lonely 2.48 goals against per game. The team defense for Anaheim has been the only reason they have stayed in contention without Niedermeyer or Selanne in the lineup for the first-half of the season.

St. Louis is 1-6-1 SU in their past 8 games when playing the Ducks at home. It’s virtually impossible to bet against the Ducks, especially when they are playing at home. So bet on the easy money with Anaheim, despite the stiff money line. The puck line is another way to go, but a two goal win over Kariya and the punchy Blues is not worth the investment in my eyes.

NHL Free Picks: Anaheim -220 (OVER)

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