Posted on
3/10/2008 1:46:26 PM
NHL Furious Free Picks 2008 – Monday Edition
By Tim Furious
New York Rangers (36-24-9) vs. Buffalo Sabres (32-27-10)
Monday, March 10th --- HSBC Arena, Buffalo --- 7:00pm EST
NHL Betting Line: Buffalo -120
It’s difficult to side with the Sabres for any real reason. They have the 6th best scoring offense in the league with 3.0 goals per game, but this is a league that is becoming more predicated on defense than anything else. Their penchant for scoring notwithstanding, the Sabres don’t have a hope in the world against the red hot Rangers tonight.
New York is 6-1 SU in their past 7 games, with a one-goal loss to the Islanders being their only defeat so far. They have won the past three meetings, outscoring Buffalo 11-5. Chris Drury and Scott Gomez are paying off every cent of free-agency dollar as they each led the team with 13-points in February. Still, it’s undoubtedly difficult for Drury to play in Buffalo.
Above anything, this game proves that the Sabres were idiots trying to hedge their bets on Briere and Drury last year, instead of just committing to just one. It’s kind of like the way an idiot with two hot girlfriends can’t decide between which one he likes more, and instead tries to parlay his bets and tease down both of them. In the end, he loses both. Note to all NHL betting odds general managers: if you have a phobia of commitments, then this job is not for you. Bet against the indecisive management in Buffalo and their 1-5 SU home record in the past 6 games.
NHL Free Pick: NYR (OVER)
St. Louis Blues (29-29-10) vs. Calgary Flames (35-23-10)
Monday, March 10th --- Pengrowth Saddledome, Calgary --- 9:00pm EST
NHL Betting Line: Calgary -200
The Monday night of suck continues when the Blues continue their atrocious season in the confines of Calgary. The Flames have been anything but hot, but have somewhat rewarded their betting faithful by going 6-3 SU in their past 9 games. St. Louis is a paltry 1-8 SU in their past 9 and there is seriously zero reason to side with St. Louis on this betting line.
I never advise taking a line as steep as the price is on Calgary, but there is no chance in high hell the Blues can pull this one off. Calgary is 9-1 SU in their past 10 games with St. Louis, and the Blues have gone 0-5 SU in their past 5 road games. I’m sure Paul Kariya is wondering what in the hell he was thinking by going to St. Louis last summer. And by God, so will you if you put your betting dollars in their pockets tonight.
NHL Free Pick: Calgary -200 (UNDER)
Vancouver Canucks (34-24-10) vs. Los Angeles Kings (27-38-5)
Monday, March 10th --- STAPLES Center, LA --- 10:30pm EST
NHL Betting Line: Vancouver -155
Call it a west-coast showdown if you will. I’ll call it “the third chapter in a Monday night suckfest”. The listless Canucks take on the hapless Kings in what’s sure to be a proper display of ice hockey ineptitude. The Kings play extremely well at home, with 3.2 goals per game at the STAPLES Center and a great power play engineered by Rob Blake. They have the second-best power play at home with 23.4 percent.
The thing that dethrones the Kings every night is their defense, which spreads its legs for 3.3 goals against per game. They’ve started six different back stoppers this season, and that kind of inconsistency proves that they have terrible scouting, even worse goalie coaches and a defense that allows far too many shots. Vancouver isn’t a great team by any measure, but they dominate the goalie battle in spades. Roberto Luongo is far and away one of the league’s best.
Most of my readers know that I despise Vancouver on the road (and sometimes at home too), but the Kings have nothing to offer in this one. They have a young team that doesn’t generate enough scoring chances and their net is an open house to visiting shots.
NHL Free Pick: Vancouver -155 (UNDER)
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