darrell,

Premium NHL subscribers have enjoyed my best 3-week NHL run ever as we've gone 20-3 (87%) since March 26th. Tonight I have three picks.

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

Game: Washington at Atlanta (7:05 PM Eastern)
Pick: 3 stars on Atlanta -254

Over the past three seasons the Thrashers have won 4 of 6 games vs. Washington played here at home. This season Atlanta has laid down some beatings on Washington including 7-3 and 8-1 wins in October. Washington has won two of the four this season but each came by just one goal. Atlanta, in their four wins in this series won by an average of 3.8 goals per game! Washington managed a 2-1 victory at Boston on Monday but they lost their four prior to that giving up an average of 5 goals per game. There defense has been horrid all season (4.1 per game allowed) but it's just getting worse as they pack it in. With Atlanta averaging 3.6 goals scored per game at home on the season and 4.4 per game over their last five, theyshould score early, often, and at will in this one and run away with the victory.

New Jersey's on a mission. They've won eight straight to climb to within two points of the Flyers. A win here over Philly goes a long, long way. NJ is a streaky team. They are now 9-1 following 4 straight wins. In the second half of the season, they are now 13-4 against winning teams and they have won 3 of the last 4 against Philly including a 4-1 blowout on April 1st. Road teams revenging a loss where opponent scored 4 or more goals, coming off a close win by 1 goal over a division rival are just 11-41 (11%) over the last 5 seasons. Devils here.

Detroit is 29-9 on the road this season - league best - including 10 straight. They are a perfect 13-0 on the road against division opponents and 10-0 as a road favorite of -200 or more this season. Sure they've clinched the Presidents' Trophy and home ice for the playoffs but they are too good of a team to let down here. Chicago on the other hand has dropped five of six and thirteen of their last seventeen. With the talent difference here, Detroit can sleep walk their way through this and still come out with the win. Detroit takes care of business vs. weak teams having gone 17-4 this year vs. losing teams. They have won division games this year by an average score of 3.9 - 2.1. Detroit here.