Posted on 3/19/2008 7:17:58 PM

NHL Tonight Hockey Sports Betting Picks

By Dave Golokhov

NY Rangers (38-26-9) vs. New Jersey Devils (42-24-6)

Wednesday, March 19th --- Prudential Center, NJ --- 7:00pm EST

NHL Betting Line: New Jersey -145

The Rangers hammered Pittsburgh last night in a 5-2 stomping, proving that they are the contender that the oddsmakers pegged them as in our early NHL futures. The Rangers are 5-0 SU in their last five meetings with the Devils. But the Devils are the leaders of the Eastern Conference right now, and are coming off of three days of pure rest.

The Devils are one of the most prominent defensive teams in the league, ranking third in goals against with only 2.3 per game. With Martin Brodeur in net, and a stiff team defense mentality, the unwavering blue-line of the Devils has seemed impossible at times. The flood gates, however, flood open when their defense gets out skated. And when that happens, their 2.6 goals average is not enough to edge the competition.

New York can play any style of hockey. They are fast, strong, physical and very strong defensively. They average only 25.9 shots against per game, which is a reason their unheralded defense ranks fifth in the league with only 2.5 goals against. The reason this goes unnoticed is because everyone is so focused on this offensive unit going bananas.

The fact remains that the Devils haven’t been able to solve the Rangers all season. And that certainly won’t start now with the playoffs looming and the Rangers trying hard to prove a point. Jagr and company are 8-3 SU in their past 11 games and 4-2 SU in their past six roadies. Bet on the winning sides of those trends to continue as the Rangers roar towards playoff glory.

NHL Betting Free Picks: New York +125 (UNDER)

Anaheim Ducks (41-25-8) vs. Dallas Stars (42-27-5)

Wednesday, March 19th --- American Airlines Center, Dallas --- 8:30pm EST

NHL Betting Line: Dallas -135

The Stars were supposed to be one of the more formidable Western Conference teams after acquiring Brad Richards from Tampa. Instead, the exact opposite has happened. They’ve tumbled to a 1-5 SU record in their past 6 games. This is a good time for them to catch Anaheim, a team they are 4-1 SU in their past 5 games with. Both teams are coming off extended rest periods, and the Ducks will be without Pronger, who remains suspended for stepping on Ryan Kessler of Vancouver.

So how does that affect the Stars stonewall defense? The Ducks boast the fourth best defense in the league with only 2.4 goals against, and many believe the loss of Pronger will cause Dallas to score the lights out. Are they forgetting that this team still has Mathieu Schneider, Rob Niedermeyer and Francois Beauchemin? When Pronger went out last year in the playoffs due to a suspension, they handled it nicely then too.

There is not a lot to be excited about for Dallas right now. They look like lost sheep out there. It’s like they’re all waiting for Richards to bust out and recreate the 5-point spree he amassed in his debut with the Stars. They desperately need a star to rise, but Richards simply doesn’t look motivated in Dallas. Anaheim is 14-4 SU in their last 18 games, and anytime they are listed as an underdog, you have to jump at the chance to take them. I know Dallas has had tremendous success over Anaheim, but I simply don’t believe Anaheim can lose to a team of lost lambs like Dallas.

NHL Betting Free Picks: Anaheim +115 (UNDER)

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