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posted March 13, 2008 at 17:41 in NHL Articles

Dallas Stars (42-25-5) vs. Detroit Red Wings (46-18-6)

Thursday, March 13th --- Joe Louis Arena, Detroit --- 7:30pm EST

NHL Betting Line: Detroit -170

With their depth at the blue-line finally back at full health, Detroit has returned to NHL betting prominence with four straight victories. But if they want to prove that they really are the team to beat in the West once again, they’ll have to prove it against a Dallas team that is finally pulling their socks up. The Stars went through an adjustment period trying to squeeze Brad Richards in to the right line, but with a 3-0 blanking of Colorado four nights ago, those growing pains seem to be a thing of the past.

Dallas and Detroit are both extremely stiff defensive teams, so bet on this game in the UNDER. Detroit allows only 2.2 goals against, ranking them first overall. Dallas gives up only 2.4 goals against, ranking them sixth, and they still play some of the best two-way hockey in the league. Now, with a solid go-to guy in Richards, the Stars are seriously deadly team. They are 14-5 SU in their past 19 games, but much of that was due to an abnormal three-game losing skid incurred last week. As road warriors, they are 8-2 SU in their past 10 games.

But Detroit is a formidable opponent and posses a brilliant blend of scoring finesse, blue-line stonewalling and incredible goal tending. They have the third best offense in the league with 3.1 goals per game, and have been above pace over the past four games. Dallas will be able to contain them with a solid penalty killing unit, but Marty Turco has been in a funk lately. Despite a strong road record, there’s little reason to believe that Detroit will drop this game, especially with their reputation as the best in the NHL on the line.

NHL Furious Free Picks: Detroit -170 (UNDER)

Ottawa Senators (39-25-7) vs. Montreal Canadiens (39-23-9)

Thursday, March 13th --- Bell Centre, Montreal --- 7:30pm EST

 

NHL Betting Line: Montreal -145

 

I refuse to back down from my stance on Montreal. They are nearly invincible at home, one of the best regular season teams in the entire league, and a betting backers best friend for the remainder of the season. But when it comes to the playoffs, I’m just not sold they have the size to keep up in a tenaciously physical seven-game series. Their offense has been the best since the All-Star break and has averaged 3.20 goals per game, leading them to a 6-2 SU record in their past 8 games.

Ottawa is heading in the exact opposite direction. Since the entire league realized that they are a one-trick pony (like the Lightning, only more Swedish) they have launched their best defensive lines against Alfredsson-Heatley-Spezza and successfully shut them down. In the process, Ottawa has tumbled to a pathetic 1-5 SU record in their past 6 road games, and only a 3-6 SU record over the past 9 games.

Their 7-1 SU record against the Canadiens may have some betting appetites nice and wet, but don’t be fooled. Until Chris Neil comes back from his knee injury, this blue-line won’t b able to protect Ray Emery or Martin Gerber from their own futility. Seriously, those guys are worse than a tequila induced hangover on a Thursday morning (I can tell you that first hand right now). I’d stay away from the Senators until further notice if I were you. But I have zero quandaries about any line with Montreal at home.

NHL Furious Free Picks: Montreal -145 (OVER)

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