Nhl Picks - April 23, 2010

We posted another winning night on the NHL Playoffs ice last night, finishing 6-3.

Our NHL picks are now 23-10 (70%) over the last five days in the playoffs, good for +23 units. Today, we hit the ice with seven premium picks including four 4-unit plays.

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	54-39 last 93 picks	58%	+$3150
NHL	335-246 last 581 picks	58%	+$15970
WNBA	121-90 last 211 picks	57%	+$5490
TOTAL			+$43080

Today's NHL Hockey Picks:

Game: Montreal at Washington (7:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: 4 units on Washington -340 (moneyline) (risk 4 to win 1.2)

The Canadiens shocked the Capitals in the opener, which may have been a blessing for the Caps as they seemed to think that they just had to show up for this series and win it. That has changed as they captured game two to even the series, but then went to Montreal and showed the Habs what they were up against, claiming both games by a combined 11-4 margin. This team is amped up now and that is doom for the Canadiens who are 1-11 in their last 12 as a playoffs underdog. Washington is 70-30 in their last 100 as a home favorite and will cruise here, so I’m going with Washington.

The Capitals appeared to think that all they had to was show up to sweep the Canadiens out of the playoffs, but and failed to answer the bell for game one. It has been all Caps since. The last two on the road they hammered Montreal 11-4 in the two wins. Washington has now won 20 games since New Year's Day by 2 goals or more, and I expect them to close this one out with a bang. I'll go with the Caps on the puckline.

The Boston Bruins have taken a commanding 3-1 lead in their opening playoff round vs. the Buffalo Sabres. The Bruins looked for most of the season, like a team that was down a notch or two from a season ago. They inserted Tuukka Rask behind the net on a regular basis, then took off. This team has since become better than their season record and Rask has been the difference maker. Rask has allowed just 16 goals in his last 10 behind the net, just 1.6 per contest. The Bruins are now 7-1 in their last eight quarterfinals games, and winning four of the last five vs. the Sabres. I'll go with Boston.

The Bruins are better than they were early in the season for one simple reason. They put Rask behind the net on a regular basis and he has delivered. Rask has allowed just 16 goals in his last 10 starts for the Bruins or 1.6 per game. Getting the Bruins here on the +1.5 puckline is chock full of value, especially since they have had the Sabres’ number, winning four of the last five. I'll back the Bruins on the puckline in this one.

To this point, this series has been even all the way around with each team scoring 14 times, and tied at two games apiece. This is a pivotal game and the Canucks are the better team, playing on home ice. The Canucks have been 13-4 here over their last 17 games, outscoring their opponents by a 64-40 margin, or by 1.25 goals per game. The 13 wins show a winning margin of 30 goals - quite impressive. The Kings are not at their best playing in this range, posting a 24-50 mark in their last 74 as a dog of +151 to +200, winning just one in their last six in Vancouver. I'll go with Vancouver in this one.

The Vancouver Canucks have had it going t home where they are 13-4 over their last 17. That only tells part of the story. The rest is told by their scoring margin which has been 30 goals in the 13 wins, or better than 2 goals per game. The Kings have just one win here in their last six, so I'm going with Vancouver on the puckline.

The Detroit Red Wings have been to the Stanley Cup Finals the last two years, winning one of them, so they certainly know their way around the pitfalls and obstacles in the playoffs. I expect them to draw upon that experience to gain the advantage in this series, currently tied at two games each. This is a team that is 247-121 as a favorite in their last 368 games as chalk and 10-2 in the playoffs at -110 to -150. The Coyotes are a not-so impressive 4-13 in their last 17 quarterfinals games. Experience the key factor here, so I’m on Detroit.

Results: 3-4

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• Check out 2009 hockey prior pick season results here.

Check out the last five NHL Hockey Picks Newsletters:

NHL-Hockey-Picks-April-22-2010
The Philadelphia Flyers have had no problems vs. the New Jersey Devils and have taken a commanding 3-1 lead in the series. It hasn't just been this series however, as the Flyers have taken ownersh...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-April-21-2010
I've been on Boston in every game this series. They stole home ice and I believe tonight they all but seal this series. The Bruins have already won six of nine vs. Buffalo this season and Bos...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-April-20-2010
The Detroit Redwings are certainly playoff tested having won the Stanley Cup two years ago and advancing to the finals last year. During this stretch they have never dropped two straight at home. They...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-April-19-2010
The Los Angeles Kings have become more than the name suggests. They have also become the kings of extended ice time. Los Angeles has now played seven straight games that have been decided in overtime ...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-April-18-2010
For the first time in 17 seasons, the Red Wings are playing at home in game three of a first-round playoff series. With their win in game two, they have regained home ice in this series. This is a No....