Posted on 3/12/2008 2:18:28 PM

NHL Betting Furious Free Picks – Wednesday Night Betting

By Tim Furious

Calgary Flames (36-23-10) vs. Washington Capitals (32-30-8)

Wednesday, March 12th --- Verizon Center, Washington --- 7:00pm EST

NHL Betting Line: Washington -115

The Flames have taken advantage of the bumbling Minnesota Wild and Vancouver Canucks to regain the top spot in the Northwest Division, and the third playoff seed in the Western Conference overall. With a 7-3 SU record over the course of the past ten games, these Flames have been burning opponents to ash. And with a 4-1 SU record in their past 5 road games, they have proven that their stalwart defense is up to the test of the road. They haven’t faced the Capitals since 2006, but if the past proves anything, this will be tough test for Iginla and the Flames.

The Caps have dominated the Flames in the past. And this is when the Capitals stunk up the joint, and the Flames were one of the most dominant teams in the league. With back-to-back losses, Ovechkin and the Capitals need to cut down on their mistakes (i.e. scoring on their own net) and allowing an average of 3.0 pucks to find the twine behind their goalies. Cristobel Huet has been a savior in net, but the Capitals still allow far too many shots on goal. Thankfully, the Flames offense is mediocre overall, and on the road. They average both 2.8 goals per game on average and 2.8 goals per game away from the Saddledome.

What’s more is that they have continually struggled against fast and physical teams. Washington combines a flashy blend of finesse with brutally strong skating. Their top lines can play excellent defense, and Ovechkin is blossoming in to the best pure goal scorer the NHL has seen since – well – Gretzky. Ovechkin always steps it up when a superstar is on the ice, so bet on him blowing up Calgary’s defense tonight with Iggy on the ice as well.

I just don’t like the way Kiprusoff has been playing lately. The total has gone OVER in 4-of-6 for the Cow Towners and they have struggled on the road all season. At best the Flames are a streaky team, and with Washington desperately playing catch up in the East, they will snuff the Flames and put an end to their wild winning ways.

NHL Betting Free Pick: Washington -115 (OVER)

Vancouver Canucks (35-24-10) vs. Anaheim Ducks (39-25-8)

Wednesday, March 12th --- Honda Center, Anaheim --- 10:00pm EST

NHL Betting Line: Anaheim -135

The Ducks lost to Phoenix last night at home (I told ya so) only proving that they aren’t the road warriors we thought they were. Granted, Phoenix is pretty much the only team built to beat the Ducks, but a loss is still a loss. And for the Ducks, that is inexcusable at this point. Vancouver has surged to a 4-2 SU record on the road lately, but have gone 5-10 SU in their past 15 clashes with the Ducks. Can the Ducks rectify things at home?

Anaheim is 12-4 SU in their past 16 games, including a five-game winning streak at the Pond. I love this team at home. The only way Vancouver has been able to score lately is on the power play. They have the fifth best power play in the league with 20.2 percent, but the Ducks have the second best home defense in the league, allowing only 2.2 goals per game. On top of that, their penalty killing is outstanding. They cut out lanes and take away chances, leaving the opposition passing the punk feverishly trying to find an opening.

I’m simply not convinced that Vancouver is a playoff-caliber team. They have a mediocre offense, and their defense is soft despite allowing only 2.5 goals per game. Much of that credit is because of Luongo, who is virtually impossible to score on. Still, with Anaheim’s dominating puck control tactics, Vancouver shouldn’t be a problem for them tonight. Small, finesse style teams like Vancouver get eaten alive by the aggressive physicality of Anaheim. Bet smart. Bet on the Ducks.

NHL Betting Free Pick: Anaheim -115 (UNDER)

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