Free Nhl Picks - February 21, 2008

We pushed last night on the lone pick. Tonight we have eight NHL selections.

WUNDERDOG 2008 RECENT RESULTS ($100/bet)
SPORT	WINS-LOSSES	%	NET
CBB	167-124 last 291 picks	57%	+$2640
NBA	9-5 last 14 picks	64%	+$850
NHL	46-42 last 88 picks	52%	+$2780
TOTAL			+$6270

Today's NHL Hockey Picks:

Game: San Jose at Philadelphia (7:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: 3 units on Philadelphia -120 (moneyline) (risk 3 to win 2.5)

Philadelphia has lost eight straight games while San Jose has dropped five straight. This is the best chance for Philadelphia to break out of their slump against the Sharks who are 1-6 on the road since the begininning of 2008. Philly can score at home (3.3 per game) and San Jose is averaging just 2.0 goals per game over their last five. Favorites off three straight losses, in the second half of the season, hit at a 71% clip. San Jose is 21-32 off 2+ straight losses the past three seasons and we like Philly to hand them another loss tonight.

The Islanders have reeled off five straight wins, scoring 3.8 goals per game over that stretch. But, that can't continue. They average just 2.4 goals per game on the season at home. Ask yourselves why the odds-makers are making Tampa Bay (just 10-19 on the road) a favorite here against such a hot team that has a winning home record. Smells fishy. The fact is, Tampa Bay seems to start out slow and then pick up in the second half of the season. Dating back to last season, they are 22-16 on the road in the second half of hte season. They are also 20-13 after allowing 3+ goals in three straight games over that span. We like the Lightning here.

Carolina's offense has dried up while their defense remains poor. Atlanta has averaged 3.2 goals per game vs. division foes this year on way to a 12-8 mark. The Thrashers are 14-9 this season vs. poor defensive teams (those allowing 2.9+ goals per game). We like Atlanta here vs. a struggling Carolina offense. Atlanta is holding their last five opponents to 2.4 goals per game and they are 23-9 UNDER the past two seasons on the road vs. losing teams in second-half play. They are also 9-1 UNDER revenging a home loss this season. We'll back the Thrashers and the UNDER here.

Florida has beaten Boston in seven of the last eight meetings with three of the last four coming by 2+ goals. Part of the problem the Bruins have with the Panthers is Florida's offense which averages nearly 31 shots per game on goal. Boston is just 33-72 over the past three seasons vs. good offenses that average 29+ shots on goal and conver 17%+ of their power plays. Boston also doesn't seem to be motivated by revenge as they are just 39-76 the past three seasons revenging a loss. Florida by 2+ goals.

Toronto home games have gone OVER more than UNDER this season and it's why we see a total of 6 posted here. But they are not the only team on the ice in this game. Buffalo scores just 2.5 goals per game on the road and vs. division opponents, while holding foes to 2.6. In division games, Toronto games average just 5.5 goals per game. They are also 36-22 UNDER the past the seasons at home vs. losing teams and 16-6 UNDER this season vs. good offensive teams (those averaging 2.9+ goals per game). Buffalos is 10-3 UNDER this season when playing on back-to-back days.

Montreal is averaging 3.2 goals per game at home and vs. division foes. Their offense is very consistent and converts 26.7% of power play opportunities. Sidney Crosby is out for Pittsburgh but Evgeni Malkin is stepping up in his place and has 27 points in the 14 games since Crosby's injury. The Candiens are 15-8 OVER this season vs. winning teams and 8-2 OVER off a home win in which they scored 4+ goals. We like this one to go OVER.

Yes, the Blues have won four of their last five. But let's not forget this is a team that at one point lost 11 of 13. They are also just 10-16 on the road, scoring 2.5 goals per game while allowing 3.3. They are also 3-10 this season vs. bad defensive teams like LA (those allowing 3+ per game). Under Andy Murray, the Blues are 5-22 on the road after allowing 2 goals or less in three straight games. We don't think St. Louis' recent play is indicative of who this team really is. We like LA in this spot and will go on the -1.5 puck line for a big payout.

Results: 2-5

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Check out the last five NHL Hockey Picks Newsletters:

NHL-Hockey-Picks-February-20-2008
The Stars are averaging just 2.2 goals allowed on the season here at home but they score 3.1 per game and Calgary road games are averaging 6.2 goals per game. Over their last five games, Calgary is sc...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-February-19-2008
Both of these defenses have taken the week off. Over their last five gams Boston has allowed 3.2 goals per game while Carolina has given up 3.8 per game. Neither defense was good to start with but the...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-February-18-2008
Yes, San Jose's scoring has fallen off of late. But, their defense has fallen off in lock-step. The Islanders have found some offense and their defense has suffered concurrently. Islanders games a...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-February-17-2008
San Jose is great on the road but they are facing a great defense this afternoon. The Rangers who have really struggled offensively have found ways to win games, especially at home thanks to allowing ...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-February-16-2008
Both of these teams can score but neither is doing a whole lot of that lately. Philadelphia is slumping, averaging 2.4 per game over their last five while Montreal is getting 2.2 per game over their l...