Posted on
2/19/2008 6:45:25 PM
NHL Betting - Furious Free Picks Western Conference
By Tim Furious
Vancouver Canucks (29-22-8) vs. Minnesota Wild (34-21-4)
Tuesday, February 19th --- Xcel Energy Center --- 8:00pm EST
NHL Betting Line: Minnesota -160
Minnesota has been absolutely blasting their rival Canucks in to embarrassment lately. They’ve outscored them 10-8 in the past three games, but the score doesn’t reflect the totality of the games. Vancouver was never in these games. They got lucky, which is more than I can say for the Vancouver betting faithful. In the past 14 games, Vancouver has managed only four victories.
Minnesota is on a tear, going 4-1 SU in their past 5 games. Strike while the betting iron is hot, folks. That’s a cardinal rule of NHL betting. Minnesota had a hiccup against the Oilers last week, but bruised Vancouver like a Georgia peach in a 5-4 victory, while edging Nashville 5-4 two nights ago. Marion Gaborik has been the fuel in the tank for Minnesota, lodging 7 points in his last five games.
Vancouver can not match up with Minnesota because they don’t have the skating prowess that Minnesota has. Bet on the favored Wild to decimate Vancouver at home. Division rivalries are always the best, and Minnesota needs these wins to solidify a good playoff spot in the oh-so-tight Northwest Division. Vancouver, simply, is giving the betting community no reason to back them lately.
NHL Free Picks: Minnesota -160
Calgary Flames (29-22-8) vs. Phoenix Coyotes (31-25-4)
Tuesday, February 19th --- Jobing.com Arena, Phoenix --- 9:30pm EST
NHL Betting Line: Phoenix -105
Let’s get past the ludicrous name for the arena that Phoenix plays in. At least University of Phoenix Stadium sounds like a legitimate campus location. Anyways, the Flames take their 2-3 SU record over the past five games against the Phoenix Coyotes, who have won three in a row. And believe it or not, they have looked good doing it.
Enough praise can not be heaped upon Ilya Bryzgalov’s shoulder pads. He has steadied the desert dogs to 2.73 goals against, which is good considering how awful the blue-line in Phoenix is. To match his credit, Phoenix has lodged 2.80 goals per game after finally finding the right mix of veteran leadership and youthful scoring. Finally reason for people to dust off their Shane Doan jerseys!
Calgary has been horrific on the road, going 2-5 SU in their last 7 away games. Phoenix, meanwhile, has gone 4-2 SU in their last 6 home games. While it remains hard to believe that Phoenix is a team worth backing in your betting domain, don’t follow the scent of history anymore. These guys are good relative to their reputation as a “graveyard for the NHL greats”.
Phoenix will get a modicum of revenge against Calgary, which barely escaped with a 4-3 victory earlier this month. I just don’t believe in Calgary anymore. They used to be a solid team that was easy to back, but now they are just too up and down. I’d rather take the desert dogs. And no, I can’t believe I just wrote that sentence.
NHL Free Picks: Phoenix -105
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