Nhl Predictions - January 12, 2008

We went 3-0 last night. Tonight we like seven picks...

Today's NHL Hockey Picks:

Game: Nashville at Columbus (7:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: 3 units on Game Total OVER 5 -125 (risk 3 to win 2.4)

Nashville is scoring 3.8 goals per game ov erthier last five games while Columbus is allowing 3.6 per game over their last five. Nashville scored 7 goals last game while Columbus gave up 4 in a 6-4 win over St. Louis. Games with home teams that allowed 4+ goals last game facing a team that scored 6+ are 38-15 OVER to a total of 5 or less over the past decade. Nashville specifically is 20-11 OVER the past two seasons coming off a road win including 13-6 OVER if they scored 4+ in that win.

Colorado started the year on fire offensively. But they never really did much damage on the road. And, right now they have no offense. They haven't scored more than 3 in eight games and are averaging just 1.8 goals per game over that stretch. On the season, they average just 2.0 goals per game. Carolina is average offensively this season but right now they aren't scoring either, averaging 2.0 goals per game over their last five games. Colorado is 12-4 UNDER this season on the road to a total of 5.5. We like the UNDER here.

New Jersey has played great defense all season and right now they are struggling offensively, leading to this low total of 5. BUt there are two teams in this game. Buffalo scores 3.4 per game here at home. Their scoring is down recently but their defense has tanked as well. Under Lindy Ruff, Buffalo is 19-9 OVER after having lost four straight. We look for this one to go OVER as Buffalo gets back on track offensively.

Pittsburgh keeps rolling against the odds. We look for their eight-game win streak to end tonight in Atlanta. The Thrashers have won three of the last four played here vs. the Panthers. Atlanta can keep up with Pittsburgh offensively. Road favorites coming off four straight wins by 2+ goals each win just 32% of the time! Atlanta is 8-3 this season after having lost 4+ of their last six games. Yes, it seems like Pittsburgh is the right play and will keep rolling. But, this run has to end sometime and history says this is a good spot for them to go down.

The Rangers have dropped five in a row, scoring 2.0 goals on average per game. That's not far behind their season average of 2.4. Montreal can score but we expect New York's defense, strong all season at home, to be up to the task of slowing them. Games with teams off a road win that are revenging an upset loss go UNDER 60% of the time. Both teams are off divisional games and over the past two seasons, Montreal is 18-7 UNDER on the road off a division game while New York is 17-6 UNDER at home off a division game. New York is 7-1 UNDER this season at home after having lost 5+ of their last seven games.

The Sharks are red-hot but we think Toronto has a decent shot here. Let's remember that the Sharks are just 8-13 at home on the year. They are also just 3-9 at home vs. losing teams (letdown possibility?). Toronto is 7-3 the past two seasons on the road after having allowed 4+ goals in two straight games. Finally, San Jose is 0-8 this season at home after allowing 2 or fewer goals in two straight games. If San Jose gets fat and happy and doesn't take the Leafs seriously here, they could face another big upset loss. The Maple Leafes are 13-8 UNDER on the road this season while San Jose is 10-6 UNDER at home. Over the past two seasons, the Sharks are 17-4 UNDER at home vs. goalies saving under 90% of shots. We like the UNDER here as well.

Results: 3-3

NHL Hockey Picks Resources:

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Check out the last five NHL Hockey Picks Newsletters:

NHL-Hockey-Picks-January-11-2008
The Blues have held their last five opponents to 6 total goals. But, they are still 4-1 OVER in those games, thanks to their hot offense. They have had a decent offense all season long vs. division fo...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-January-10-2008
Buffalo has now lost seven in a row and look to avenge a 3-5 home loss to Ottawa on January 4th. Against this Ottawa defense that's alllowing 3.2 per game at home (and 4.4 per game over their...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-January-08-2008
Tampa Bay has scored a total of 35 points which is second worst in the league behind LA's 32. It's no wonder they are 3-17 on the road. Away from home they are losing by 1.7 goals per game on ...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-January-07-2008
Minnesota games have averaged 6.6 goals per game over the last five. Over that same span, the Stars are allowing 3.6 goals per game. Dallas is in a scoring slump but against this Wild defense, they sh...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-January-06-2008
Buffalo has dropped five straight and looks to get healthy against the Thrashers. The Sabres' recent problem has been scoring and Atlanta is a team that gives up points. The Thrashers are allowing...