Posted on
4/9/2008 4:10:46 PM
NHL Furious Free Picks 2008 – Western Playoff Picks
By Tim Furious
Colorado Avalanche (44-31-7) vs. Minnesota Wild (44-28-10)
Wednesday, April 9th --- Xcel Energy Center, Minnesota --- 9:00pm EST
NHL Betting Line: Minnesota -125
Is the writing on the wall? Colorado’s gone 1-4 SU in their past 5 road games. Minnesota’s gone 5-0 SU at home. Is it that open and shut for this series? Probably. Everyone knows I’ m a big Minnesota pusher because I love their style of hockey. Some call it “boring”, but I love it when Minnesota clears the middle and sends their power skaters up the ice. BetUS SportsBook has Minnesota is favored because of their home advantage, but many love the Avalanche because of all that talent.
From Joe Sakic and Ryan Smyth to Adam Foote and Jose Theodore in net, the team has a fantastic blend of youth and veteran leadership. Even with Marek Svatos on the shelf with a knee injury, the Avalanche have Paul Statsny, a player they’ve been leaning on all season.
But the truth is that Minnesota is well accustomed to facing Colorado, and hold a 6-3-0-1 SU record in their past 10 meetings with Colorado. Until I see this pan out, I’m standing by the Wild and the sports betting community should too.
NHL Betting Free Picks: Minnesota -125 (UNDER)
Calgary Flames (42-30-10) vs. San Jose Sharks (49-23-10)
Wednesday, April 9th --- HP Pavilion, San Jose --- 10:00pm EST
NHL Betting Line:San Jose -200
Calgary has always brought the pain when playing San Jose, and when it comes to the playoffs, physicality is key. The Flames are rough and tumble under Iron Mike Keenan’s guiding hand, but their scoring touch has diminished. With only 2.8 goals per game on average, that puts them in the middle of the pack. And, to be honest, their goal tending hasn’t been as solid as in season’s past. Those who play rough hockey get thrown around some time. It’s the price for sacrificing finesse.
San Jose, however, has found an excellent balance. They boast the third stingiest defense in the league with only 2.4 goals against per game. Plus, their balance of dynamic playmakers like Cheechoo and Marleau, who has 19-points in 20 games, and physical bulldozers like Joe Thornton are complimented by their talented blue-line. Team defense is the name of the game for San Jose, and a gameplan like that can almost completely neutralize Calgary.
I’ve said that Calgary is a shaky bet on the road this entire season. I’m not going to change that stance now that it’s playoff time. Especially when the Flames are swimming in the shark tank, where San Jose is undefeated in their last five games.
NHL Betting Free Picks: San Jose -200 (UNDER)
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