Posted on 2/27/2008 3:36:07 PM

NHL Betting Furious Free Picks - Wednesday Night Hockey

By Tim Furious

Toronto Maple Leafs (27-28-9) vs. Florida Panthers (28-30-7)

Wednesday, February 27th --- Bank Atlantic Center, Sunrise --- 7:30pm EST

NHL Betting Line: Florida -125

It almost surprises me that Olli Jokinen, one of the premier and under celebrated players in the NHL, didn’t try to force a trade. Maybe he likes the weather in Florida. Because there’s no way in hell he likes the losing ways of these tame Panthers. Jokinen has 60 points on the season, with an even amount of twine finders and helpers. But the Panthers are just 1-4 SU in their past 5 games, including an embarrassing shut-out loss to the Rangers. Not only where they kept out of the Rangers net, they allowed five goals in to their own.

Toronto, trying desperately to make the playoffs after missing the last two years, have gone on a blistering streak. They are 4-1 SU in their past five games and just posted their own 5-0 shutout over – wait for it – the Ottawa Senators! Aside from the 5-1 crotch kicking that Buffalo handed them, scoring has not been a problem for the Leafs. They are averaging 3.2 goals per game and are still rifling a truck load of shots. Tomas Vokoun is going to be in for a long night.

Toronto has usually handled Florida, but the last time they met, Florida pasted the Leafs in an 8-0 shutout in the Air Canada Centre. With Vesa Toskala looking sizzling in net, the Leafs should exact a nice chunk of revenge over the Panthers by decimating them on their own ice this time. Take the road dogs in this one as Toronto extends its winning ways, while compounding the problems for the hapless Panthers in the process.

NHL Free Pick: Toronto +105

Nashville Predators (32-24-8) vs. Buffalo Sabres (30-24-9)

Wednesday, February 27th --- HSBC Arena, Buffalo --- 7:00pm EST

NHL Betting Line: Buffalo -135

East meets West in this early game. And I mean that both literally and figuratively. Both teams play virtually the same style of hockey. They love to push the puck fast and hard, while leaning on stiff goaltending so that the offenses can concentrate on scoring goals. Their records are virtually the same, and so are the stats. Buffalo averages 2.98 goals per game while giving up 2.83. Nashville notches 2.91 goals per game and gives up – you guessed it – 2.83 goals against.

But that’s not all they have in common. Both teams are 2-4 SU in their past 6 games and the OVER has been the better bet in 4-of-6 for Buffalo and 7-of-9 for Nashville. Nashville holds the edge in the past five, winning 3-of-2 against Buffalo straight up. But I’m still wondering why Buffalo is favored here.

First of all, they’ve been losing at home, or scraping by teams with one-goal wins. Nashville may be 1-4 SU in their past 5 road games, but what exactly do you like about the Sabres with Jochen Hecht nursing a leg injury and their best point-man, Brian Campbell, bound for San Jose? Campbell was fourth on the team in scoring with 43 points and his presence on the blue-line, both in special teams and on offense, will be sorely missed.

Teams can bounce back from an injured stars loss by rallying around it. But when you lose a key defenseman at a crucial time in the season like this, things go absolutely haywire. Buffalo is 1-3-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing Nashville, and the Preds are virtually at full strength. Nashville has 9 skaters with 20+ points this season. That kind of depth can not be battled when you don’t have your best defenseman anymore.

NHL Free Pick: Nashville +115

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