Posted on
10/24/2007 4:54:21 PM
NHL Hockey Betting – Week 4 Forecast
By Tim Furious
Believe it or not, but the Canucks went 3-1 against Detroit last season. This year, however, will be a much different story. Detroit ended a west coast road trip by beating the puck-line against San Jose and Phoenix. Vancouver has never been a good road time, and they have gone 7-13-1 SU in their last 21 against Detroit in Joe Louis.
Vancouver’s Roberto Luongo has been playing well since the start of the season, but is no where near the superhuman levels he posted last season. The Canucks find themselves in the penalty box far too often. They rank third in short-handed opportunities, giving opponents 53 so far this season. Bet on Detroit who always play well at home.
Vancouver Canucks (4-5-0) vs. Detroit Red Wings (6-2-1)
Wednesday, October 24th --- Joe Louis Arena, Detroit --- 7:30pm EST
NHL Free Pick: Detroit
The Minnesota Wild have still not lost in regulation, and face a Calgary Flames team that is used to be feared in the
Saddledome. Lately, however, Calgary simply hasn’t been getting the job done on their home ice. The Wild have the best defense in the league thus far, allowing an eye-popping 1.25 goals against per game. That defense will need to be in full effect with Pavol Demitra sidelined by injury.
Calgary is coming off an embarrassing 4-1 loss to San Jose, and now face the best team in their division. Minnesota has pleased their betting investors who have taken the money line by going undefeated in regulation. With Mike Keenan’s boys still getting used to a new system, bet on Minnesota to get the win over their division rivals.
Minnesota Wild (7-0-1) vs. Calgary Flames (4-3-2)
Wednesday, October 24th --- Pengrowth Saddledome, Calgary --- 9:00pm EST
NHL Free Pick: Minnesota
The Rangers are favored at home, besides being blanked in their last two games. For a team that was supposed to be unstoppable offensively, their 1.63 goals for average ranks dead last in the league. To make matters worse, the Devils are 7-2-0-1 SU against New York in their last 10 games.
The Devils have not been much better this season as they still figure out how to move the puck without Brian Rafalski at the point. The Rangers have looked lost on the ice, and the Devils are the type of team that will get up early and then squat on a lead. The Devils will have trouble breaking the puck-line because they don’t have offensive punch, but history will continue as the Devils beat the Rangers on Thursday night hockey.
New Jersey Devils (3-4-1) vs. New York Rangers (2-5-1)
Thursday, October 25th --- Madison Square Garden, New York --- 7:00pm EST
NHL Free Pick: New Jersey
The Leafs haven’t had trouble putting pucks in the net. Their problem has been keeping pucks out of their own. Pittsburgh beat Toronto 6-4 they last time these teams met, and things will only get worse for the Blue Leafs since Marc Andre-Fleury has found his groove between the pipes for the Pens.
The Penguins have a noteworthy power-play percentage of 21.74 and the Leafs are the most penalized team in the league. That does not spell good news for Vesa Toskala who is still trying to find his footing in Toronto. You can’t write the Leafs out for the year yet (it’s only October, the equivalent of April for baseball), but there is no way they can walk in to Mellon and get the win.
Toronto Maple Leafs (3-4-3) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (5-3)
Thursday, October 25th --- Mellon Arena, Pittsburgh --- 7:30pm EST
NHL Free Pick: Pittsburgh
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