Hockey Free Picks - April 16, 2010

We cashed one play from the NHL playoffs yesterday and we are as surprised as you are that underdogs have gone 5-2 so far in the playoffs. We move on today with six premium NHL picks.

WUNDERDOG 2010 RECENT RESULTS ($100/bet)
SPORT	WINS-LOSSES	%	NET
NFL	46-29 last 75 picks	61%	+$4060
CFB	25-10 last 35 picks	71%	+$6040
MLB	265-219 last 484 picks	55%	+$8370
NBA	40-32 last 72 picks	56%	+$1220
NHL	310-232 last 542 picks	57%	+$14590
WNBA	121-90 last 211 picks	57%	+$5490
TOTAL			+$39770

 

Today's NHL Hockey Picks:

Game: Nashville at Chicago (8:30 PM Eastern)
Pick: 5 units on Chicago -240 (moneyline) (risk 5 to win 2.1)

The Chicago Blackhawks have replaced the Detroit Red Wings at the top of the NHL Western Conference, and will begin their quest for a Stanley Cup Championship against Nashville tonight. The Blackhawks are primed as they rattled off six straight wins, and a winning margin of a combined 26-11, before resting in the finale. The Predators have been a dog of +200 or more just twice on the season, failing to deliver on both occasions. The Predators are a horrific 3-12 in their last 15 conference quarterfinal games, and overall just 1-9 as a dog of +200 or more. I'll go with Chicago here.

The Nashville Predators have not been a good quarterfinals team in the playoffs. They have managed just three overall wins in their last 15. They have also not responded as a big dog, as they are just 1-9 in their last 10 games posted at +200 or more. They have also won just one of the last five meetings in Chicago. The Blackhawks played well in their final six games before resting in the finale, whitewashing opponents to the tune of a 26-11 mark, I like Chicago here on the puckline.

The defending Stanley Cup champions got punched in the mouth in game one. I look for them to respond here and send a message back to the Senators. Despite the result of game one, the Senators are still a losing team on the road this season allowing 3.3 goals per game. They are just 4-15 in the second game of a playoffs series over the past 15 years. Pittsburgh is 25-8 off a home loss since last season. The Penguins right the ship here, evening the series.

The Ottawa Senators sent a wakeup call to the Penguins in game one, indicating that they don't intend to roll over and die here in this series. This is a big game for the Penguins and they will respond as they have been 18-4 in the playoffs over the last two years. The Senators are just 2-10 on one day of rest in their last 12, and the Penguins are 22-6 in their last 28 as a playoff favorite, and 50-19 to a team with a losing road record. I expect a huge effort here. When the Pen's deliver their "A" game, their opponents need to take cover. I'll go with Pittsburgh on the puckline.

The Sharks have long held one of the biggest home ice advantages in the NHL at the Shark Tank. The Sharks closed the regular season winning their last five here, but dropped the opener to Colorado 2-1. They have lost two games in a row at home just once the entire season, and I look for them to come out hungry and aggressive in this one. The Avalanche are just 4-10 in their last 14 overall, and the Sharks are 72-30 in their last 102 as a home favorite says that they get this one.

The Sharks got a big surprise from the Avalanche who came to play in game one, and came away with a 2-1 victory. I'd expect the Sharks to come out playing with an edge here as they don't take too kindly to losing here. The win was the first here by Colorado in their last five trips to The Tank, and this one will be the hardest of any. The Sharks had 31 wins on the season by 2 goals or more, and I like their chances off a loss at home in this one to make that 32. I’m taking San Jose on the puckline.

Results: 2-4

NHL Hockey Picks Resources:

• Read our NHL pick here.
• View our NHL handicapping philosophy here.
• View our NHL hockey Game Preview here.
• View sportsbook reviews hockey here.
• View our NHL lines here.
• View NHL ATS standings here.
• Take a look at our blog NHL picks here.
• View 2009 NHL hockey picks here.

Check out the last five NHL Hockey Picks Newsletters:

NHL-Hockey-Picks-April-15-2010
The Buffalo Sabres were not very good the entire second half of the season. The Sabres finished their final 35 games on the right side just 15 times - a losing record. The Bruins may not have had the ...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-April-14-2010
The Pittsburgh Penguins kind of floated through the season, but make no mistake about it, this is still a quality hockey team, and they will be primed to defend their NHL Stanley Cup win from a year a...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-April-11-2010
Chicago grabs the top spot in the West with a win. But, Detroit is also motivated here. Looking at ninth place on March 9, they have since climbed to have a shot at fifth place by going 12-1-2. Young ...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-April-10-2010
The Shark Tank has been a destiny of doom for many opponents over the last few years. This year is no exception. Recently, the Sharks have been scoring big on home ice as they have reached the net 25 ...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-April-09-2010
The Capitals have one thing left to shore-up before they make their bid for the Stanley Cup, and that is behind the net and on the defensive end. The Caps after allowing 37 goals in 11 games, have tig...