Posted on 2/21/2008 3:57:10 PM

NHL Betting - Furious Free Picks 1

By Tim Furious

San Jose Sharks (31-21-8) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (30-24-6)

Thursday, February 21st --- Wachovia Center, Philadelphia --- 7:00pm EST

NHL Betting Line: Philadelphia -120

Does somebody want to tell the Sharks to stop floundering like this? San Jose has gone belly up in the past five games, losing all of them while going 1-6 ATS in their past seven games. They’ve been sitting ducks in the road and are a drowning in a sea of their own futility. They’re also causing me to drain the vast pool of my nautical analogies!

Thankfully their opponents haven’t been fairing much better. The Flyers have been shot down in the past five games, while also getting their wings clipped to a 1-5 SU record in their past six home games. So who do you take? The swan diving Flyers, or the dead-in-the-water Sharks?

Considering how both teams have been playing, I would urge you to consider this a stay-away game. But the truth is that you’re probably going to bet on it anyways, and my job here is to make picks.

Both teams boast exceptional special teams. Philadelphia’s power play is second best in the league, but that will be offset by San Jose’s league leading penalty kill. While I like the fact that the Flyers have been losing to higher quality opponents over their own five-game losing streak, they still allow the third most shots on net with 32.3 allowed per game. The Sharks, transversely, allows only 24.4 shots per game.

In a tight game in which one team will have to turn down the suck, the Sharks will allow fewer scoring chances. They have been a road-friendly team this season, so bet on the Sharks to win in the money line. The Flyers will continue to tailspin out of the air and in to the jaws of the Sharks, who are hungry for a win on the road.

NHL Free Pick: San Jose +100

Buffalo Sabres (29-23-8) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (25-27-9)

Thursday, February 21st --- Air Canada Centre, Toronto --- 7:30pm EST

NHL Betting Line: Toronto -130

Don’t look now but these Leafs aren’t ready to turn over and continue their free fall. Toronto has won 7-of-10 over the past two weeks including a decisive victory over Detroit. Vesa Toskala has been a beast in net, allowing only 2.4 goals against in the last five games. That’s not a lot considering the high scores in NHL games this season.

Buffalo, meanwhile, has gone 9-4 SU in their past 13 games, including a 5-2 SU record in the past seven road contests. They rifle in 2.95 goals per game off of 30.35 shots, but continue to allow too many shots with 28.37 reaching Ryan Miller. Toronto is one of the best at getting quality shots on net, which is why they average 2.75 goals per game despite a weak roster and a losing record.

But Toronto is beginning to show signs of life, and Sundin is playing at an incredibly high level considering the mileage on his legs. Although Buffalo is 4-2 SU in their past 6 road games against Toronto, the Maple Leafs betting faithful should stick by their boys at home. They are 7-3 SU in their past 10 home games, which can’t say enough about their quality of their fan support.

NHL Free Pick: Toronto -130

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