Posted on 2/19/2008 6:52:47 PM

NHL Betting - Furious Free Picks Eastern Conference

By Tim Furious

New York Rangers (20-24-7) vs. Montreal Canadiens (32-19-9)

Tuesday, February 19th --- Bell Centre, Montreal --- 7:30pm EST

NHL Betting Line: Montreal -115

The Rangers were supposed to be one of the favorites to dominate the Eastern Conference this season, but instead are a middle of the pack team at best. Their spit, invariably, has been assumed by the Montreal Canadiens who are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games at home. The Rangers have typically fared well against Montreal, but the Canadiens have a three-game winning streak and a top spot in the playoffs to fight for. Can New York begin to find the scoring groove it was supposed to?

Chris Drury and Scott Gomez were brought in over the summer to solidify a team that revolved around the powerhouse that is Jaromir Jagr. Gomez leads the team in points with 57, while Drury has the most goals with 19. Jagr has kept up his amazing play with 49 points of his own, but the Rangers offense only manages 2.49 goals per game.

Henrik Lundqvist, who just inked a great deal to stay in the Big Apple, has been tremendous in net. The Rangers allow only 2.44 goals per game, and pin teams to the boards for only 25.80 shots against. But the inability to widen the gap on the scorecard means that virtually any team has a puncher’s chance against the Rangers.

Not helping matters for the dogs from New York is that they are 9-11 SU as the underdog. The Canadiens suffered a devastating 5-3 loss to the Rangers after they collapsed in the third period. But with 3.10 goals per game and Carey Price blossoming in net, the Canadiens have risen to the cream of the crop in the East. So why take the road dogs in this one?

Because Montreal matches up horrifically to New York. The reason that Drury and Gomez fit so well in to the system in New York is because they are fast, puck-moving centers who are anchored by some of the most dangerous wingers in the game. Montreal has had its hands full trying to contain teams that are more physical, which was exactly why they collapsed against New York earlier this month. Expect more of the same, as the Rangers reward their betting faithful by upsetting the Canadiens at home.

NHL Free Picks: New York -105

Philadelphia Flyers (30-24-5) VS. Ottawa Senators (34-20-5)

Tuesday, February 19th --- Scotiabank Place, Ottawa --- 7:30pm EST

NHL Betting Line: Ottawa -200

What’s worse than Ottawa’s three-game skid? Philadelphia’s five-game skid. Both of these Eastern Conference bullies head in to this game trying to snap losing streaks that is ruining their chances heading in to the playoffs. Philadelphia was due for a bad run like this, but Ottawa has no excuses after having the top line of Alfredsson-Spezza-Heatley returned to full force.

So what gives? Philly’s defense has been atrocious during their losing streak. They’ve allowed 3.8 goals against during their past five games, while only managing 2.4. And we’re talking about a high-flying team that has manages 3.12 goals per game during the season. But when a team puts you in your heels, there’s virtually nothing you can do to stop them.

Ottawa should be murdering teams every night, but something hasn’t been clicking. And you don’t have to look further than their goalie situation. Martin Gerber has returned to being – well – Martin Gerber. Meanwhile Ray Emery has looked like a shell of the behemoth that took them to the playoffs last year. Ottawa inexcusably allows 2.98 goals per game. They’ve also gone 2-6 SU in their last 8 games in their own building.

Philly’s slide is monumental, but if we’ve learned anything from Detroit, those skids come to an end in decisive ways. Philly will blast past Ottawa in the first period, using speed and power to drive Ottawa on to its heels and expose a thing blue-line that hasn’t been playing up to snuff lately. Peppering Ottawa’s crease will sear the victory for them as neither goal tender for Ottawa has been able to fend off shots at a high rate.

NHL Free Picks: Philadelphia +170

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