Hockey Picks - February 21, 2009

After passing on last night's action, we are back with three 4-unit NHL picks. Over the last five days, our NHL picks are up +5.3 units and hitting 60%.

Today's NHL Hockey Picks:

Game: Ottawa at Montreal (3:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: 4 units on Montreal -155 (moneyline) (risk 4 to win 2.6)

The Canadiens have had a hectic schedule as they have been on the road for 12 of their last 16 games and 18 of their last 26. It has made this team look like they not as good as they really are. The good news is they are back home where they have won six of their last eight. Like most bad teams, the Senators had their shinning moment where they won four straight on the road and five overall, but have come back to reality, dropping their last two. Four of their 10 road wins on the season came during that four-game stretch as they are 6-16 otherwise. This has been a favorite-dominated series with the favorite going 13-3. The Senators have not had a win over the Canadiens in their last five meetings. I'll go with the Canadiens who are happy to be home again.

The road has not been the place for the Rangers lately, as they have dropped their last seven on the road. They may be catching the Sabres at the right time who have dropped four of their last six and have been outscored in those losses by nine goals, or by more than two per game. The Sabres have fared poorly against the East, where they are 1-4 in their last five. I expect the Rangers to step-up and play superb here and end their road woes here with a win in Buffalo.

The Blues have been doing much better as they have put Chris Mason behind the net instead of going back-and-forth between him and Manny Legace. Mason has been behind the net for the last 14 games, playing good, having recorded three shutouts in the process as well as three other games allowing just one goal. The Blues might need it as they have scored just 11 times in the last five games. The Predators have been starved offensively all season. They have now scored two goals or less in 26 of their last 37 games, and with a poor offensive St. Louis team and a hot goaltender, this one has an UNDER scent to it. Add in the fact the Predators have played 26 of their last 36 games UNDER, and it is the only way to go here, so I'll back the UNDER.

Results: 2-1

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Check out the last five NHL Hockey Picks Newsletters:

NHL-Hockey-Picks-February-19-2009
The Islanders are a mess right now. The fans are calling for change, and after giving up a shorthanded goal while skating five-on-three against the Flyers, this team is reaching for the bottom. The le...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-February-17-2009
The Lightning has been prone to long stretches with few or no wins this season. It is usually due to their trouble putting the puck in the net. That has certainly been a problem for them of late as th...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-February-16-2009
The Rangers are catching a lot of heat and jobs are soon going to be on the line. Yesterday might of been rock bottom as they gave up a goal to the Flyers while skating with a 5-3 advantage. The Range...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-February-15-2009
These teams haven't met in over two years. The Canadiens probably wish it was longer as they haven't beaten the Canucks in 10 straight tries. With the way Montreal is playing, they are looking...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-February-13-2009
The Bruins have carved themselves out a special season, and on the road have lost just five times this season. Credit has to go to tremendous goaltending and a focused defense as they have allowed jus...