Posted on 3/26/2008 5:16:53 PM

NHL Hockey Sportsbook Free Picks

By Dave Golokhov

Chicago Blackhawks @ Columbus Blue Jackets

The Chicago Blackhawks just don’t want to go away. Their playoff hopes are seemingly wiped, but they have made a 3-1-1 run in their last five games to stay alive – barely.

They are six points out of a playoff spot with five games remaining.

The good news for the Blackhawks is that two of their last five games come against the Blue Jackets, whom they’ve outscored 13-5 in their last two meetings.

The Blue Jackets played on Tuesday night and are only 3-7 on back-to-back nights. The Blackhawks are on two days rest and are 14-7 ATS in that situation.

The Blue Jackets have struggled mightily in the second half of the season, particularly against teams with a losing record. They are 2-10 against teams below .500 in the second half and just 6-21 overall this season.

Free Pick: Chicago

Edmonton Oilers @ Minnesota Wild

The Edmonton Oilers were expected to be playing for the first pick in the 2008 Entry Draft this season but their young squad has surprised everyone. They are the hottest team in the NHL and are making an improbable late-season playoff push.

The Oilers have won 12 of their last 14 games and sit just three points behind Colorado and Vancouver for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

The Oilers are 23-15 ATS in the second half of the season (9-3 in March) and are 11-5 after three consecutive ‘over’ games.

The Wild have lost two straight and are just 8-18 after a division game. The good news for the Wild is that they are back at home. In home games following a road trip of three games or longer, Minnesota is 11-3. They also dominate this series at home, winning the last six meetings at the Xcel Energy Centre.

Free Pick: Minnesota

Vancouver Canucks @ Colorado Avalanche

Both the Colorado Avalanche and Vancouver Canucks have 86 points and occupy the seventh and eighth spot in the Western Conference standings. They meet on Wednesday night in a pivotal match. If they were smart, they would wait until overtime to settle the matchup.

Colorado has dominated this series at home in the last three years. They have won eight of 11 matchups and are 23-9-3 against the Canucks at home since 1996.

Vancouver played Calgary on Tuesday, who leads the division, and is 17-8 following a divisional game. But they are only 6-8 on back-to-back nights.

Colorado is 17-10 in a home game where the total is 5.5.

Free Pick: Colorado

Los Angeles Kings @ Anaheim Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks may be playing without All-Star defenseman Chris Pronger, but you wouldn’t know it.

The Ducks have won a franchise-record nine straight home games and should be able to set the record tonight against the lowly Kings. Overall, the Ducks are 16-4-1 in their last 21 games.

The Kings, though, have won two straight games on their mini three-game road trip and 4-6 ATS against the Ducks in Anaheim over the last three seasons. Although the 4-6 record is below .500, they are +2.7 units in that time.

The Ducks have had plenty of rest and are 7-3 when having three or more days of rest. The Kings are also in that same rested role but are only 2-6 in that situation.

Free Pick: Anaheim

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