Posted on
2/27/2008 10:26:05 PM
NHL Hockey Betting Preview
By Dave Golokhov
Nashville Predators @ Buffalo Sabres
At the trade deadline last year, the Nashville Predators were buyers when they acquired Peter Forsberg with the hope that he would vault them to a Stanley Cup.
This year, their expectations are tempered as the Predators made only subtle moves to bolster their lineup.
The Predators sit in the eight and final spot in the Western Conference playoffs but are feeling the heat from ninth-place Colorado. The Avalanche will get a boost after signing Peter Forsberg as a free agent and acquiring Adam Foote during yesterday’s deadline.
The Avs sit two points behind Nashville.
Nashville is 4-0 on the road in Buffalo since 1996 and all four of those meetings have gone over. The over is 3-0-1 in the last four games for both teams.
Free Picks: Nashville
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Florida Panthers
The Toronto Maple Leafs tried to have a garage sale at the trade deadline but thanks to some no-trade clauses, five of their key veterans didn’t take part.
For realistic, intelligent fans, that means more mediocrity and a longer rebuilding process. For naïve fans, the Leafs should be able to continue their current hot streak and possibly push for a playoff position.
The Leafs have won four of their last five games including a 5-0 shutout over the Eastern Conference leading Ottawa Senators on Monday.
The Leafs have dominated this series, particularly in games played in Florida. They are 4-1-0 in their last five trips to Florida. All four games have been under the total and seven of the last 10 overall in this series have stayed under.
Free Picks: Toronto
Phoenix Coyotes @ Chicago Blackhawks
There isn’t a single person prior to the season that believed that a late-February matchup between the Phoenix Coyotes and Chicago Blackhawks might have playoff implications.
But the Coyotes are only three points out of the eight and final playoff spot and will have to get by the red hot Blackhawks to keep climbing into the standings.
The Blackhawks have won five of their last seven games.
The Coyotes are 6-0 this season after playing three consecutive home games and are 3-1 after playing three or more consecutive unders.
Chicago is on two days rest and the over is 11-2 in those situations for the Blackhawks this season.
Free Picks: Chicago
Colorado Avalanche @ Vancouver Canucks
When combining the Forsberg signing with some of their moves yesterday, the Colorado Avalanche were a winner on deadline day.
It didn’t take them long for their moves to pay off as the re-invigorated team scored an impressive come from behind overtime victory in Calgary last night.
The Avs continue their west coast trip to Vancouver today – a place where they have won 20 of their last 33 contests.
One might think that the Canucks are an under team since they struggle to score goals but that’s not the case.
10 of their last 13 contests have gone over, the over is 9-0 when the Canucks are revenging a home loss against versus an opponent and six of the last nine meetings have gone over.
The Avs are 5-3 this season when playing on back-to-back nights.
Free Picks: Colorado
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