Free Hockey Picks - February 05, 2009

One NHL pick last night, one NHL winner. We hauled-in another +2 units and we roll with another three premium plays today...

Today's NHL Hockey Picks:

Game: New York Islanders at Florida (7:30 PM Eastern)
Pick: 3 units on Game Total UNDER 5.5 -130 (risk 3 to win 2.3)

After going 23 games and putting just two in the win column, the New York Islanders have suddenly won four straight. What has given them the surge is the goaltending of Yann Dannis. He has been behind goal in the last eight games, allowing just 16 goals. In three of the four wins, he has allowed just one goal in each. The Islanders need it because they have just crossed the net 21 times in their last 10 games, just 2.1 goals a game. The Panthers have played six straight UNDER when they have been a favorite of over -200, and overall, they have played UNDER in their last five as a favorite. I like this one to finish UNDER the total.

The Blackhawks have made serious headway off a slow start and have been on the plus side of the score in 17 of their last 25. Those 25 games have seen the Blackhawks allow just 52 goals, or 2.08 per contest. That comes into play here as the Flames have played UNDER in six of their last eight against an opponent that allowed two goals or less in their last game. The Blackhawks have now played under on the road in nine of their last 12. Lots of unders, but the one that means the most, and stands out the most is what these teams have done while facing each other. The last six times these teams have met in Calgary have resulted in the UNDER going 5-0-1. I will back the UNDER in this one as well.

The Sharks have shown some vulnerability at home of late after looking invincible most of the season at The Tank. The goaltending has still been sharp, but concern for the offense that has now been limited to nine goals in the last four games, but in their last seven games that they did not claim victory with just 13 goals scored. The Hurricanes have played six of the last seven to the UNDER on the strength of allowing just 13 goals in the seven games - less than two per contest, and have also now played to a 17-7 mark in their last 24 as a dog. The Sharks have been 8-2-1 UNDER against teams with a losing record in their last 11, and this one will go UNDER the total tonight.

Results: 1-2

NHL Hockey Picks Resources:

• View our NHL spreads here.
• View our hockey sports handicapping philosophy here.
• Hop over to our NHL picks here.
• View our updated hockey against-the-spread records.
• Take a look at our NHL sports book here.
• Check out hockey Game Analysis here.
• Don't forget to visit our blog NHL.
• View 2008 hockey season picks here.

Check out the last five NHL Hockey Picks Newsletters:

NHL-Hockey-Picks-February-04-2009
The Wild have been getting some superb goaltending helping them stay in games. They have allowed just 61 goals in their last 26 games, or 2.3 a game. The problem is that they have managed just two goa...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-February-03-2009
The Canadiens have played in just two home games with the total posted at six or higher. This one is getting bumped by the high-flying Penguins. I am not so sure if this is the right number here as th...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-February-02-2009
The Blues are getting some superb goaltending right now from Chris Mason, who has recorded two shutouts in his last three games. The Blues’ offense meanwhile has not been very productive either ...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-January-31-2009
The Bruins have played in two OT games and two shootouts in their last four games after playing 24 straight games decided in regulation. This team is not playing at its best right now, and has allowed...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-January-30-2009
The Penguins are finally getting it together after a rough stretch that saw them playing their worst hockey in two years. The change is most notable behind the net where Marc-Andre Fleury has gotten h...