Hockey Game Predictions - February 26, 2008

3-1 yesterday including two big dogs for +7 units. Tonight we like 5 picks...

Today's NHL Hockey Picks:

Game: Minnesota at Washington (7:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: 3 units on Game Total UNDER 5.5 -120 (risk 3 to win 2.5)

Here we get two poor defenses and average offenses although neither offense is playing well right now. Washington has averaged just 2.1 goals per game over their last seven games while Minnesota has scored 3 total goals in their last three games. Washington is coming off a 1-goal performance last game and they are 12-4 UNDER the past three seasons at home in that situation. Under Jacques Lemaire, the Wild are 61-41 UNDER off a home loss. The way these offenses are going, we like the UNDER here.

New Jersey has dominated Carolina this season, outscoring them 15-3 in three games. This is Carolina's last chance at revenge and we like their chances as they are 6-1 this season revenging two straight losses by 2+ goals. The Hurricanes are riding a bit of momentum having won two straight, scoring 11 goals in the process. They will need that kind of offense vs. a Devils team that is keeping all comers out of the net. But, this Carolina team can score (3.3 per game at home this season). If Carolina can get 3 goals, they likely win as New Jersey's offense is weak. Road teams having won five straight lose 60% of the time in that sixth game. Carolina is 20-2 the past three seasons at home off a home game in which both teams scored 3+ goals. This is a good spot for a motivated Hurricanes team.

We faded Ottawa yesterday and they suffered a horrible 5-0 defeat to lowly Toronto. Now we will back them after that embarrassment. They will come out fired up here after that debacle and they are a good road team at 17-12, scoring 3.3 per game. Boston is a losing home team that averages just 2.4 goals per game at home. They have lost by an average of 0.6 goals per game to division foes, allowing 3.1 goals per game and amassing an 8-13 record. They are 28-41 the past three seasons at home vs. poor defensive teams that allow 2.9+ goals per game. Ottawa is a solid 15-6 on the road this season at -100 to -150.

Hope is back in Colorado. The Avs re-signed legend Peter Forsberg yesterday. Although he doesn't join the team on the ice until Saturday, his signing will provide an emotional lift to the team tonight. On top of that, there is more reason for confidence from the Avs. They finally have their top three weapons back from injury, playing together. Joe Sakcic, Ryan Smyth and Paul Stastny played together on Sunday for the first time since November. Colorado has an wining record as an underdog the past two seasons and they are 27-10 over that span coming off a road loss. We look for Colorado, with key players back and the emotional boost from one more coming, to take this game.

Detroit's slide continues. After complete domination of all comers through February 5th, the Red Wings have lost eight of nine games. The good news is that their defense only slipped a bit. Over those nine losses, they have allowed 2.8 goals per game. It's their offense that has dissappeared. Over those nine games they managed to eclipse two goals just twice and are averaging just 1.7 goals per game. The Wings are 18-10 UNDER this season on the road while Edmonton is 17-11 UNDER at home. Edmonton's road offense is atrocious but at home it's very good (2.5 goals per game). So, we have two UNDER teams with very good defenses and one good offense that is slumping severly. The Red WIngs are 10-2 UNDER this season on the road vs teams that average 2.9+ goals per game allowed. They are also 11-4 UNDER on the road off an UNDER this season.

Results: 3-2

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Check out the last five NHL Hockey Picks Newsletters:

NHL-Hockey-Picks-February-25-2008
We took a shot on Philly last night. They took the game to OT but couldn't close the deal. The Flyers held a 1-0 lead but gave it up with 3.7 seconds left in regulation. Talk about snake bit....

NHL-Hockey-Picks-February-24-2008
Alex Ovechkin faces Martin Brodeur here. We like Brodeur. He's 34-23 saving 92% of shots on goal this season. Over his last four games he has kept 107 of 114 shots out of the net. The Devils have ...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-February-23-2008
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 t...

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...