Hockey Picks - February 23, 2008

Today we have five NHL picks including a 5-unit play...

Today's NHL Hockey Picks:

Game: Florida at Philadelphia (7:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: 5 units on Philadelphia -145 (moneyline) (risk 5 to win 3.5)

Philly hasn't won since February 5th, losing nine in a row. This is their chance to break out of that slump. Florida has allowed 13 goals in their last ghree games and they have lost five out of their last six with the sole win coming at home against lowly Washington. Florida is 7-20 this season vs. good passing teams (those getting 5+ assists per game) and they are 11-43 the past three seasons vs. teams scoring 3+ goals per game. Over that span they are 8-35 revenging a loss.

Toronto is averaging jus t2.4 goals per game over their last five games and they have a losing home record. Raycroft has been terrible this year going 2-11 including 1-6 at home where he is saving just 86% of shots. The Thrashers are 8-2 this season vs. goalies who save under 90% of shots on goal.

The Rangers blew a 5-0 lead to Montreal on Tuesday. We expect a hangover here. The Rangers are just 11-19 on the road this season and have a losing record vs. losing teams. Meanwhile Buffalo is 16-12 at home.  New York is also 7-18 on the road off a road loss the past three seasons and 1-6 this season off an overtime loss.

Both of these teams have good offenses and poor defenses. They are pretty even so the edge goes to Tampa for playing at home in this one. Home favorites in late-season play coming off three straight losses hit at 73% clip and we have that situation here. The Lighting won the last matchup 4-1 in December and Boston is just 28-61 revenging a same-season loss the past three seasons.

Detroit was shut out for the second time in a week last game, losing 1-0. The good news is their defense has been stellar, allowing 2 goals total in their last three games. They need to find some offense and they will. Vancouver has lost five straight home games vs. winning teams. Detroit is 9-1 on the road after allowing 2 goals or less in three straight games this season. Detroit won the last game and Vancouver is just 4-13 this season revenging a loss. The Cancucks are off a hard-fought overtime game and they are 1-8 this year off an OT win.

NHL Hockey Picks Resources:

• Check out 2007 NHL hockey picks results here.
• Read our NHL ATS records here.
• View NHL pick here.
• Hop over to our hockey Game Preview here.
• Updated today: NHL spreads.
• Don't forget to visit our NHL hockey handicapping philosophy.
• Check out blog NHL here.
• View our updated sportsbook reviews hockey.

Check out the last five NHL Hockey Picks Newsletters:

NHL-Hockey-Picks-February-22-2008
Detroit snapped their uncharacteristic six-game losing streak with a big 4-0 victory on the road in Colorado. We were on Detroit in that one as we knew they wouldn't stay down for long. The bad ne...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-February-21-2008
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 sin...

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...