Hockey Betting Pick - April 16, 2009

We opened this season's playoffs going 3-3 last night but don't fear. We look to bounce back today as last season we went 44-28 (61%) for +27.8 units in the NHL playoffs.

WUNDERDOG 2009 RECENT RESULTS ($100/bet)
SPORT	WINS-LOSSES	%	NET
MLB	18-11 Season-to-Date	62%	+$1940
NBA	244-193 last 437 picks	56%	+$9210
NFL	72-44 last 116 picks	62%	+$7320
NHL	18-13 last 31 picks	58%	+$1800
TOTAL			+$20270

Today's NHL Hockey Picks:

Game: Columbus at Detroit (7:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: 3 units on Columbus +210 (moneyline) (risk 3 to win 6.3)

The Redwings can be proud of another outstanding regular season, but not the way they closed out as they netted just two wins in their last eight games - a far cry from their 7-2 finish a year ago and 5-2 finish two years ago, so this game won't be a lay-up. There certainly won't be a lack of confidence coming from the Blue Jackets. The last time they stepped on the ice in Detroit, they came away with a resounding 8-2 decision and have claimed three wins against the defending Stanley Cup Champs in their last four meetings this season. The Blue Jackets have not only stepped up vs. the Redwings, but have won seven of their last nine against teams with a winning record, so they have a sharp mental edge to open this series. Long odds, but with a team that has to be confident off of taking three of four from the Wings, I'll take Columbus in this one.

The Boston Bruins have been a force on home ice all season long and it was never more apparent than down the stretch. The Bruins put nine of their last ten at home in the win column and the sole loss was in overtime. The Canadiens faltered down the stretch as they dropped their last four games. The road has not been kind to the Habs as they have finished the season at 5-15 on the road in their last 20. They simply haven't been able to stop anyone as they have allowed 77 goals in those 20 games, or almost four per contest. It isn't much wonder that the OVER has gone 13-4-3 in those 20 games. The Canadiens finished the season just 3-12 as a road dog, while the Bruins come in with a stellar 42-15 mark in their last 57 as a favorite. The Canadiens have also dropped their last five against the Bruins. These teams put up 32 goals in their five games on the season or 6.4 a game, and I'll go with the Bruins along with the OVER.

I mentioned in my moneyline write-up that the Bruins have been a dominant home team this season, while Montreal has struggled on the road. The Bruins went through a stretch this season on home ice where they accomplished an amazing feat. They went through a period at home where if they won the game, it was by two goals or more. That streak was 13 games! That is not easy to do in the NHL. In fact, the streak was 19 of 21 home wins by two or more. It is hard to pass up the puck line here with those numbers, and I'll back Boston on the puckline as well.

The Chicago Blackhawks have not been to the playoffs since the 2001-02 season and you have to wonder how that will translate in their opener here vs. Calgary. That lack of playoff experience may make the opening night jitters seem a bit bigger than they really are. The Flames have been here in three of the last four years, so other than the butterflies at the onset, this team should have a decided factor in experience. The Flames have been at their best this season, especially of late when they are well rested, as they have won seven straight off of three day’s or more rest. This has been an underdog series, as the dog has claimed the money in six of the last eight meetings, and it has also been a series in which the road team has won eight of the last ten. I will go with Calgary in game one here.

The Shark Tank was a graveyard for virtually every opponent the first half of the season. The Sharks posted 20 wins and just two overtime losses in their first 22 games here. They punished opponents by an 89-41 margin in goals scored, meaning that they weren't just winning, they were winning by over two goals a game! Then Calgary came to the tank and tore away the invincibility factor and things began to change. The same San Jose team that outscored opponents 89-41 over their first 20 games, outscored opponents by just 52-47 the rest of the way. The Sharks were winning by 2.2 goals a game in the first 22, and then finished winning by 0.26 goals in their last 19 games. This is hardly the same team. Anaheim lost to the Sharks at the tank 4-1 and 2-0 during the first half of the season when the Sharks were blowing out everyone, but came in here in the second half of the season and won going away by a 5-2 score. These odds are elongated by the first half domination by the Sharks, but we haven't seen that team in a longtime and Anaheim has the edge mentally because they are one of the teams that have won here since. I'll go with the Ducks in this one.

Results: 4-2

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Check out the last five NHL Hockey Picks Newsletters:

NHL-Hockey-Picks-April-15-2009
The Penguins will begin their quest to get back to the Stanley Cup Championship where they lost to the Redwings last season. Their opponent, Philadelphia, started the season winless over their first s...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-April-12-2009
St. Louis has surged from last place to a playoff berth. This game is still important as a win would vault the Blues from eight place to sixth place, and a chance to avoid San Jose in the first round ...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-April-11-2009
The Carolina Hurricanes are closing the season very strong. They have now won nine of their last 10 games, and 17 of their last 23, including their last two on the road. They have done it on both ends...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-April-10-2009
The Columbus Blue Jackets have been involved with six shutouts, either for or against in their last 27 games. The St. Louis Blues have only allowed 24 goals in their last 12 home games or just two per...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-April-09-2009
The Lightning is mired in a seven-game losing streak, but getting two to one odds at home is tempting. It is also laden with value as on the season, the Lightning is 4-5 when listed as a moneyline dog...