Posted on 2/8/2008 5:35:06 PM

NHL Hockey Free Picks – Friday Edition

By Tim Furious

Anaheim Ducks (29-22-7) vs. New Jersey Devils (30-20-4)

Friday, February 8th --- Prudential Center, New Jersey--- 7:00pm EST

NHL Betting Line: New Jersey -145

The Ducks have ended a horrendous six-game skid by destroying both teams from New York by a combined score of 7-1 in their last two games. They are 2-2 SU in their current road trip, and travel to Jersey tonight to take on a defensively sound team that is putting up a crazy number of goals. The Devils have scored 3.0 goals per game over their past five.

Anaheim is a misleading 2-6 SU in their last eight games because they were in a mild funk, while they adjusted to having Teemu Selanne back in the line-up. By destroying the Isle and the Rangers in subsequent victories, it looks like they have found their scoring chemistry once again. And, man, it looks beautifully dangerous.

The Ducks are going to steadily improve their 2.47 goals per game average throughout the rest of the second-half now that they have adjusted their scoring lines accordingly. Their talented scoring line will struggle at times against a Devils squad that allows only 2.4 goals per game, ranking them as the second-best defensive team in the NHL.

But there is no chance in high hell that the Devils can get their scoring lines to penetrate the brick wall that Anaheim refers to as their blue-line. With Niedermeyer and Pronger reforming their Twin Towers act of the 2006-07 season, the Ducks have pinched teams to 2.5 goals against. The big boys on the blue-line will hold the fort for Anaheim tonight as their talented, puck movement registers a few lamp lighters to secure the victory over the home steady Devils.

NHL Free Picks: Anaheim +125

Boston Bruins (27-21-5) vs. Buffalo Sabres (25-21-7)

Friday, February 8th --- HSBC Arena, Buffalo --- 7:30pm EST

NHL Betting Line: Buffalo -160

You can pencil in Boston’s anticipated demise in hockey now. Tim Thomas is finally showing glimpses of his expected mid-season collapse in net for the Bruins, who don’t have the defenseman to properly protect him from his own staggering mediocrity. Buffalo is coming off a two-game winning streak, that includes a 4-2 triumph over Boston earlier this week.

Buffalo has continued their ridiculous offensive pace from last season by averaging 3.6 goals per game in their own building. On home ice, they are virtually unstoppable offensively. Defensively, however, they show weakness by allowing 2.7 goals per game in the HSBC. The defensive dip has lowered them to a 2-4 SU record in their past six home stands.

But Boston has traditionally struggled against the Sabres, going 6-15 SU I their past 21 battles with Buffalo. Goalie Ryan Miller will have to fend off a team that only averages 26.55 shots per game and is looking sluggish on the road. Boston is 2-8 SU in their past 10 road games when playing Buffalo. They are a virtual lock to lose in our betting sportsbook tonight.

NHL Free Picks: Buffalo -160

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