darrell,

Two picks tonight.

Keep your head up and stick on the ice, darrell!

**Atlanta +164 over NY RANGERS (5:05 Eastern)

Four straight losses now for New York - their worst run of the season. Atlanta meanwhile has won three of four. Atlanta has shown they can beat the Rangers as evidenced by their 3-2 victory in the last matchup. And, the Thrashers have won 60% of the last ten games played here in New York. If New York wasn't playing so poorly, I wouldn't like this pick. But, the Rangers have scored just 2 goals per game over their last five games. During that stretch they are converting an ugly 6.6% of their shots on goal. Atlanta's defense has played well over their last five and the combination of these facts gives us a shot here. Two stars on Atlanta .

**Detroit -240 over CHICAGO (7:05 Eastern)

Detroit handed Chicago a 6-4 loss on Saturday taking their record against the Blackhawks to 5-0 this season. Detroit is now 9-0 on the road vs. division opponents this season. And Chicago is just 5-21 facing opponents they recently lost to this year. Road Favorites of -200 to -300 again that averages 3+ more shots on goal/game than their opponents are 43-7 (86%) in the 2nd half of the season over the last 5 seasons. Detroit is scoring 4.8 goals per game and winning by 1.8 per game over their last five as the strong just get stronger. Chicago is giving up 4.2 goals per game over their last five. Detroit for two stars.