posted March 18, 2008 at 16:24 in NHL Free Picks

Pittsburgh Penguins (41-24-7) vs. New York Ranger (37-26-9)

Tuesday, March 18th --- Madison Square Garden, NYC --- 7:00pm EST

NHL Betting Line: NYR -140

The Rangers hit a sudden two-game losing streak as they once again proved that the road is one of their worst enemies with combined losses to lowly Tampa and the hapless Florida Panthers. They thankfully return to the confines of MSG to take on one of the hottest young teams in the league. The Rangers hold a 3-2 SU advantage over the Penguins this season, but the Pens have a three-game winning streak to maintain.

Pittsburgh’s amazing response to the injury of Sidney Crosby continues as Evgeni Malkin continues his MVP campaign. But they have allowed an absurd amount of shots per game this season and continue to get outmuscled on the wings where they remain small and punchless. New York is third in the league with 31.7 shots per game, and that could prove to a disastrous statistic for a team like Pittsburgh which consistently holds open houses for its opponent in their own net.

The Rangers are 7-3 SU in their past 10 games and are 5-1 SU in their past six games at home. They have managed to keep the total in the UNDER in their past five games, but this is the Penguins we are talking about. Defense may not be their strongest suit, but they make up for that ineptitude with an offensive fortitude that registers 3.06 goals per game. That is a huge reason why 5 of their last 7 games have pushed the edge in the OVER.

But if there’s one thing that is becoming evident about the Penguins, it’s that they don’t play well against physical teams like the Rangers. They are 1-4 SU in their past 5 road games against the Rangers and are nursing a plethora of injuries that is going to make it difficult for them to overcome the deep roster of the Rangers. Dealing with lines comprised of Avery, Jagr, Shanny and Drury will prove a difficult task for the defensively hapless Penguins tonight as the Rangers reward their betting faithful.

NHL Free Pick: New York Rangers -140 (OVER)

Toronto Maple Leafs (32-31-10) vs. New York Islanders (32-34-7)

Tuesday, March 18th --- Nassau Coliseum, NYC --- 7:00pm EST

NHL Betting Line: NYI -140

Do not be surprised if the lazy NHL oddsmakers flip this line. Despite the Leafs 1-5 SU record when playing the Isle in their past 6 meetings, they are still 5-1 SU in their past 6 road games. And momentum is everything in the NHL. When you combine that with the 1-4 SU record the Islanders have in their past 5 home games, things certainly look much better for the Toronto betting investors.

The Islanders have won the past two meetings, but they haven’t been easy wins. They edged Toronto by a single goal in each of those victories. But on the season, Toronto has pummeled the Islanders on the scoreboard in three encounters by a total of 15-10. The loss of Chris Campoli to a season ending shoulder injury has seriously hurt the Islanders a lot more than they are willing to admit. And with five straight losses in their past five games, the Islanders are certainly happy to be home.

Toronto has gone 3-2 SU in their past five games, with losses coming against Jersey and Buffalo (a team that always kicks the crap out of the Leafs). Nothing is going right for the Islanders tonight, and a defensively struggling team will usually have a tough time with a savvy road team like Toronto which peppers goalies like a tender piece of red meat. Bet on the Leafs tonight as they topple the Islanders and keep their Tara Reid-slim playoff hopes alive.

NHL Free Pick: Toronto +120 (OVER)

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