Nhl Picks - April 18, 2009

We had a tough day on the ice yesterday as we had to endure two tough OT losses - argh! Over the last two weeks our NHL picks are rolling along at 55%, 22-18 for +15.7 units. Today, we are back in a big way with seven premium picks including a 5-unit pick!

WUNDERDOG 2009 RECENT RESULTS ($100/bet)
SPORT	WINS-LOSSES	%	NET
MLB	19-12 Season-to-Date	61%	+$1850
NBA	244-193 last 437 picks	56%	+$9210
NFL	72-44 last 116 picks	62%	+$7320
NHL	22-18 last 40 picks	55%	+$1570
TOTAL			+$19950

Today's NHL Hockey Picks:

Game: New York Rangers at Washington (1:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: 5 units on Washington -220 (moneyline) (risk 5 to win 2.3)

The Capitals were shocked by the Rangers in the opener, as they dropped a 4-3 decision, and you know they will be loaded for bear in this one. It marks the second straight road win for the Rangers, and there has been just one time all season that the Rangers have won three on the road, and I don't expect this to become the second time. Outside of a three-game home losing streak this season, the Caps have come back from a home loss and gone 8-1, with a margin of winning those eight games by nearly two goals a game. The Rangers are just 36-80-6 in their last 122 against a team with a home winning percentage of .600 or higher, while the Caps stand at 37-15 in their last 52 home games. Washington bounces back and evens the series here.

I gave plenty of reasons why I like the Caps to bounce back here on the moneyline, but I also like what they have done outside of their one bad stint during the season at home. They have come back from a loss by winning their next one eight out of nine times, and by a margin of nearly two goals a game, so I will also play them here on the puckline.

The Redwings dominated the Blue Jackets in game one of the series on their way to a 4-1 verdict. It certainly wouldn't be anything new if the Wings got a bit complacent for game two. Remember last year they beat Dallas 4-1 in game one and later in the series as a -266 favorite went down! You can also go back to ‘05-‘06 vs. Edmonton where they dominated, and then lost a pair at home as a -239, and -257 favorite, so this game isn't the slam dunk it might look like. The Blue Jackets have roared back after allowing three goals or more with an 11-5 mark, and also they are 7-2 after scoring two goals or less. History shows this it might look like a cakewalk for the Redwings, but it isn't and the odds are too high, so I'll back the Blue Jackets to spring the surprise.

I shared some of my thoughts and logic on why I like the Blue Jackets on the moneyline, but some of that spills over into the puckline as well, and I'll take advantage of the value here also. The Redwings have been a playoff fixture since the 2002-03 season, but when playing at home to the puckline at -1.5, they are just 13-18 in their 31 home games during this succession of playoff runs. That is good enough for me to grab the Blue Jackets on the puckline as well.

The Boston Bruins took a 1-0 series lead by virtue of their 4-2 win in game one. They never trailed, and took 11 more shots than Montreal. It marked the ninth time in their last 10 games that the Bruins have won at home, and the four goals is exactly what they have averaged in their last four games overall. Montreal has now dropped five straight games and has allowed at least three goals in each of the last five losses. Their road mark has been just 5-16 in their last 21 games, and is now also just 3-13 as a road dog. The Bruins have used the momentum of a win to produce a 37-14 mark after notching a victory, and the loss by Montreal in game one marks the fifth straight time they have gone down in Boston. We have a bad recipe here, as the Bruins are scoring, and Montreal isn't stopping anyone. I'll go with Boston on the puckline, as well as the over.

The Calgary Flames lost a tough one in the opener to the Blackhawks, as Chicago stole the puck and scored just seconds into overtime. The Blackhawks haven't been putting teams away at home, as five of the last 10 have been decided by overtime or a shootout, and over the last 14 has led to just an 8-6 mark on home ice. I think the Flames will come out the hungrier team here. And the fact that the road team has won eight of the last 11 played between these two, bodes well for the Flames. Calgary gets the equalizer and wins game two.

Results: 2-5

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• View our 2008 NHL season picks here.
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Check out the last five NHL Hockey Picks Newsletters:

NHL-Hockey-Picks-April-17-2009
The Flyers were never in game one as the Penguins dominated from start to finish, and never had to worry. The fate and resolve of the Flyers will certainly be more apparent in this one. They have live...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-April-16-2009
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...

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...