Nhl Predictions - January 02, 2008

We won again last night, having gotten 20.2 units back as we have hit eight of our last ten picks. Tonight we have four picks...

Today's NHL Hockey Picks:

Game: Atlanta at Carolina (7:05 PM Eastern)
Pick: 2 units on Atlanta +145 (moneyline) (risk 2 to win 2.9)

Carolina is in first place in the Southeast Division but they have some serious problems. Their defense allowes 3.2 goals per game. Their power play defense is horrendous and their offense has escaped them of late. Atlanta is not a great team by any means but they do have the NHL's leading scorer and that could spell trouble for the Hurricanes tonight. Despite their mediocre overall record, the Thrashers are 10-5 this season vs. good offensive opponents (those averaging 29+ shots on goal and 17%+ conversion per game). Carolina is just a .500 team the past two seasons at home and as a favorite.

Dallas is scoring 3.0 per game on the season and 4.0 per game over their last five games. Detroit pours in 3.7 goals per game at home. Yes, both of these teams play excellent defense but there is enough offense to get this one OVER. Detroit is 19-14 OVER on the seasaon including 11-6 OVER at home. They are also 6-0 OVER at home this season vs. teams that convert 18%+ on power plays (Dallas converts 23% overall and 19% on the road). The Redwings are also 8-1 OVER this season after having won 3+ out of their last four games.

The Rangers have gone UNDER the total 13 out of 20 times at home but on the road they are 10-6 OVER. Their great defense at home becomes mediocre on the road. Their offense is humming right now, having scored 18 goals in their last five games. And, they are 6-1 OVER this season on the road vs. losing teams. We think there will be enough offense here to push it over 5 goals.

Columbus has held three of their last six opponents to 1 goal or less. They have held fifteen of their last eighteen opponents to 3 goals or less (eleven of them to 2 goals or less). With the Ducks averaging just 2.3 goals per game at home this season, Columbus has a decent shot at pulling this one out. The fact is that Anaheim is just a .500 team vs. losing teams the past two seasons. This year they are 3-8 vs. poor offensive teams liek Columbus (those averaging under 2.6 goals per game). We like the value on this line and will back Columbus.

Results: 2-1

NHL Hockey Picks Resources:

• View 2007 NHL prior pick results here.
• Don't forget to read our NHL ATS standings here.
• Don't forget to visit our hockey predictions.
• Here we show our hockey Game-of-Day Analysis.
• Check out hockey spreads here.
• Hop over to our NHL gambling philosophy here.
• View hockey blog here.
• View our NHL sportsbook here.

Check out the last five NHL Hockey Picks Newsletters:

NHL-Hockey-Picks-January-01-2008
Both of these teams are in need of a win. Toronto has lost six of their last seven while Tampa Bay has dropped seven of their last eight. Tampa has been inept on the road all season and right now...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-December-31-2007
The Oilers are 11-6 OVER on the road this season and despite their low-scoring the past few games, we like this one to go OVER the total. That is in part due to the fact that the Oilers allow 3.2 goal...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-December-30-2007
Florida is coming off a loss but they are playing well having won four of their last six games. Philadelphia has won two in a row but prior to that they dropped six straight, giving up 4.3 goals per g...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-December-29-2007
Colorado is coming off a home loss and remain without their Captain, Joe Sakic who will be out three months with hernia surgery. Colorado won't be up for this game vs. the lowly Kings. It's be...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-December-28-2007
This total is low. Buffalo allows 3.1 goals per game on the road. New Jersey really struggles offensively away from home but they are decent (2.8 per game) at home. Buffalo is averaging 3.4 goals per ...