posted March 20, 2008 at 13:27 EST in NHL Betting Trends

NHL Hockey - Montreal Canadiens (40-24-10) vs. Boston Bruins (37-27-9)
Thursday, March 20th --- TD Banknorth Garden, Boston --- 7:00pm EST
NHL Betting Line: Boston -260

If you know anything about hockey, then you know that this line is absolutely ridiculous. Boston gets murdered by Montreal night in and night out every time they meet, despite home ice advantage. Montreal is one of the most efficient and thrilling offenses because they dig up scoring chances like they’re searching for gold on the ice. And it’s paying off bountifully with a 3.15 goals for average.  Carey Price, meanwhile, has been stiff in net deflecting round pucks for a 2.76 goals against team average that is giving the Habs a fighting chance in ever game.

You have to understand that Montreal completely destroys Boston every time they get together. It’s just one of those established truths in hockey. The Bruins got blown up for 8 goals against in January. Considering Montreal’s penchant for offense, there’s no reason not to take the OVER in this one.

Montreal is 5-2 SU in their past 7 games and 5-0 SU in their past 5 games against Boston. Overall, they’re 9-1 SU in their past 10 with the Bruins, so there’s no reason to side with the inexplicably favored Beantown bruisers in this one. Couple all this with the 1-4 SU record Boston has in its last five, and you have every reason to take Montreal in this one, especially if they’re the road dog.

NHL Betting Free Pick: Montreal +anything (OVER)

Colorado Avalanche (39-29-6) vs. Calgary Flames (37-26-10)
Thursday, March 20th --- Pengrowth Saddledome, Calgary --- 9:00pm EST
NHL Betting Line: Calgary -125

Calgary is favored despite going 2-4 SU in their past 6 games because they are traditionally a strong home team. But don’t be fooled. They have been suspect at home this season, and aren’t showing the same resiliency in both forechecking or defense that had made them one of the most feared hockey teams to play in the West. They average 2.81 goals and 2.79 goals against ,meaning that they give their opponents plenty of chances to keep within punching distance.

Colorado is 8-3 SU in their past 11 games, and are 8-2 SU in their past 10 games with Calgary. They are coming off two rough losses to New Jersey and Minnesota, but Sakic and the boys are going to play desperate to find an extra gear in order to take down Calgary tonight. Up until getting stonewalled by Jersey, and out skated by the Wild, Colorado had posted two five-game goals in back-to-back efforts.

Meanwhile, Calgary got blanked by Columbus on Tuesday and will continue to struggle on the defensive end. Their defense ranks sixteenth in the NHL and they allow the second most power plays in the league with 4.7. That’s not good when Adam Foote is at the helm, and Foppa roaming the rink.

NHL Betting Free Pick: Colorado +105 (UNDER)

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