Nhl Playoff Predictions - February 28, 2009

Over the last week and a half, our NHL picks are hitting 57%, for +8.1 units. Today we are back on the ice with four premium NHL plays...

Today's NHL Hockey Picks:

Game: Florida at New Jersey (1:05 PM Eastern)
Pick: 3 units on Game Total UNDER 5.5 -140 (risk 3 to win 2.1)

The Florida Panthers have been a respectful .500 team on the road this season, but their offense of late has really slowed down to a crawl. The Panthers have managed just five goals in their last four games. They will be facing a Devils’ team that between Marin Brodeur and Scott Clemmenson, have recorded shutouts in three of the last four home games. The Panthers have been an UNDER-producing machine against the NHL Atlantic as they have played UNDER to a mark of 39-18-4 in their last 61. That fits well with the fact that the last seven times these teams have squared off, the UNDER is a perfect 5-0-2. I'll play this one to go UNDER the posted total.

There haven’t been a lot of good things happening with this Rangers’ team, who have won just twice in their last 12 times on the ice, yet they are a mid-level favorite here. They have been a very favorable team to get behind in this role as they are now 19-9-1 when favored in the -150 to -200 range. The Avalanche have not been getting it done either, with just six of their last 20 resulting in victory, and just two of those on the road. When they are off a horrible game, losing by three or more goals, they have been a no-show in their next game dropping their last seven. This is a good spot for the Rangers to right the ship, and I'll back them in this one.

The defending Stanley Cup Champion Red Wings are at it again with just 13 losses on the season, but nine of those have come on the road. Their recent road play has left a little to be desired as they are just 2-6 in their last eight. They have yielded 30 goals in the eight games, or 3.75 per contest. The Predators have played strong on home ice all season and have won their last two there. The Predators have gone 7-0 facing a team that scored two goals or less in their last game. The Red Wings have been struggling and are now playing their third game in four nights where they have struggled even more - going 1-4 in this situation. We have a live dog here, so I will back the Predators.

The Oilers have been about the same team at home or on the road. Their offense has not produced when needed, until recently where they have averaged three goals a game for their last eight, but have allowed 3.1 over their last 10. The Wild have been nothing to rave about on the offensive end, but something seems to happen to these teams when they square off. Their last 10 games have produced some shootouts, as three of them have seen at least eight goals scored and four others have seen six or more. They have averaged 6.4 goals a game in their last 10 meetings, and the lowest output has been four. This one will go OVER the posted total.

Results: 2-1

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Check out the last five NHL Hockey Picks Newsletters:

NHL-Hockey-Picks-February-27-2009
Philadelphia home games have certainly been high-scoring this year but right now their defense is playing very well. THey've allowed just 2.2 goals per game over their last six. The Flyers are 26-...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-February-26-2009
Phoenix has been playing poorly and has just three wins to show for their last 13 games. Ironically, two of the last three road games have resulted in victory. The offense, which produced just 11 goal...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-February-24-2009
The Flyers have produced some excellent results on the NHL road, where most teams falter. They have now captured the win in five of their last six, and are playing with confidence. The Washington Capi...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-February-22-2009
Chicago goes for number five in a row tonight and their recent great play is thanks to Cristobal Huet in net. He has allowed just one goal in his last two games and the Blackhawks have allowed just ei...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-February-21-2009
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 g...