Posted on 2/15/2008 2:09:52 PM

NHL Betting - NHL Furious Free Picks

By Tim Furious

Atlanta Thrashers (28-27-4) vs. New Jersey Devils (32-21-4)

Friday, February 15th --- Prudential Center, New Jersey --- 7:00pm EST

NHL Betting Line: New Jersey -200

This matchup proves exactly why solid draft picks, retention and coaching can out-muscle talent. The Thrashers are loaded with stars, most notably Marion Hossa and Ilya Kovalchuk. Despite allowing 3.19 goals per game, the Thrashers have gone 5-2 SU in their past seven games. But they travel to Jersey with a 1-4 SU record in their last five battles with the Devils.

New Jersey is 4-2 SU in their past 6 games and have been virtually unstoppable at home. They have won 4-of-5 contests in their Prudential Center, which includes victories over Carolina and a full-powered Ottawa Senators team. How do they manage this with only the 24th best offense in the league? By having the second-best defense. The Devils only allow 2.4 goals per game.

Goalie Martin Brodeur is sensational to say the least. But he has had a lot of help. The Devils are scoring more and more as the weeks go by, so Brodeur is finally getting the offensive support he has lacked in the past few seasons. Over the past five games New Jersey has averaged 3.2 goals per game.

It doesn’t help matters that Atlanta is the third worst team at getting shots on net. They only manage 25.9 shots per game, and that simply won’t be enough for the win in New Jersey tonight. The betting faithful who threw Jersey under the bus in the preseason can punch their tickets for a victory tonight, as Jersey builds steam towards the NHL Playoffs.

NHL Free pick: New Jersey (UNDER)

Dallas Stars (35-21-5) vs. Anaheim Ducks (32-22-7)

Friday, February 15th --- Honda Center, Anaheim --- 10:00pm EST

NHL Betting Line: Anaheim -155

The Stars are the hottest team in the league right now, having gone 7-1 SU in their past 8 games. If you believe that the road scares them, look no further then their 5-1 SU record in their past 6 road games. But will the streak come to an end tonight against the once-again-mighty Ducks? If history teaches as anything, the 4-1 SU record the Ducks hold over the Stars says “no”.

You can’t ignore momentum in the NHL. Dallas inexplicably lost to Phoenix (a great underdog these days) to break their seven-game win streak. During that streak they found the twine way more than the betting masterminds assumed they would. Most of their games have gone in the OVER. Dallas is showing a lot more offense than we’re used to because Mike Ribeiro has blossomed in to the consistent scoring threat we all hoped we would. The Stars were simply the ones to get the most out of him.

But if we’re not ignoring momentum, then let’s not be slight enough to ignore the 5-0 SU record of the Ducks. Anaheim has not been winning games in decisive fashion as of late, having edged their last three opponents by one goal a piece, but a win is a win. The Ducks are climbing out of the scoring cellar which pins them at 2.5 goals per game. Over the past five games, they have logged 2.8 goals per match and are dusting off their twine finding ability in a hurry.

The Stars are catching the Ducks at an inopportune time. Bet on the Ducks to use their speed and unrivaled physicality to overpower the Stars’ team defense. While I like what the Stars have been doing overall, the Ducks are on their way to proving that the Stanley Cup is theirs to lose once again.

NHL Free Pick: Anaheim (UNDER)

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