Hockey Pick - January 23, 2010

We hit our lone pick last night a 5-unit play on the Nashville/Colorado under. Today we hit the ice hard with eight picks including three 5-unit picks and a 4-unit.

We are hitting 71% of our 5-unit NHL picks on the season at 58-24. Over the last three months, we are hitting 61% overall at 228-143 for +191 units.

WUNDERDOG 2010 RECENT RESULTS ($100/bet)
SPORT	WINS-LOSSES	%	NET
NFL	44-28 last 72 picks	61%	+$4090
CFB	25-10 last 35 picks	71%	+$6040
MLB	265-219 last 484 picks	55%	+$8370
CBB	112-86 last 198 picks	57%	+$6650
NHL	228-143 last 371 picks	61%	+$19050
WNBA	121-90 last 211 picks	57%	+$5490
TOTAL			+$49690

Today's NHL Hockey Picks:

Game: Ottawa at Boston (1:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: 3 units on Game Total OVER 5 -140 (risk 3 to win 2.1)

Looking at the Bruins with 10 losses already at home on the season, shows this team is a shadow of the dominating force on home ice a year ago. One area of concern certainly is a team that has allowed 16 goals in their last 4 home games, or 4 per contest. That could be problematic facing an Ottawa team that is suddenly clicking at the offensive end and averaging 4 goals a game over their last 4. Senators have played to a 7-3-1 mark to the over in their last 11 in the underdog role. This one has the look of a shootout, and I'll play the over here.

It has been a very tough year for the Canadiens. They have had winning streaks of four games twice, and three games, but otherwise have really tanked. They are on the right side of just 13 of the other 30 games. The Rangers won five of their last eight on the road, and are a plus road team for the season. They have had the hot-hand as a road chalk taking the money in 14 of their last 20. The Canadiens are in trouble vs. a team that has done well on the defensive end. They are 14-37 facing a team that allowed 2 goals or less in their last game. The Canadiens are also poor as a home dog as they have fallen in their last four opportunities in that situation. I'll go with the Rangers here.

The Rangers have a nice shot in this game, and at nearly 3-1 odds are definitely worth a shot on the puckline. The Rangers have been on the winning side of 14 of their last 20 as a road favorite, 70% of the time. Their last three as a road chalk they have out-scored their opponents 11-5. Good value here, so I'm going with the Rangers on the puckline.

I won't try to disguise the fact that Washington is playing great hockey right now, and have been good at home all season long. That only can do one thing and that is swing the pendulum of value to the other side as they have become a 2-1 favorite vs. a very competent hockey team. The Coyotes are valuable in a spot where they have been playing their best hockey. They are 14-10 on the season as a dog of +110 or higher, so anytime you can back a dog that is winning 58.3% of the time when they are not supposed to win, you’re on a side that has what it takes. The Caps haven't been so dominating vs. the Pacific teams, in fact they have been the ones dominated. The Caps are just 9-24 in their last 33 vs. the Pacific. There’s value on Phoenix and will go with them here as they are 4-1-2 in their last seven trips into Washington.

By no means are the Maple Leafs a good hockey team, and you have to pick your spots with them. After getting blown out by a superior Washington team to start the road trip, the Leafs have been on the winning side, losing by just a goal in each of the other two. I like them here catching the Panthers as a tired team that will be in their fourth game in six nights - a situation where they have faltered in at 5-11 in their last 16. They have also not capitalized on a good effort behind the net in their next game as after allowing 2 or less they are 4-11 in the game that follows. I'll ride Toronto in this one.

The Panthers are facing a double-barreled negative situation. This is their fourth game in six nights and after allowing 2 goals or less, they have faltered their next time out. Combining for a 9-22 negative situation, let alone winning by 2. I'll go with Toronto on the plus side of the puckline here as well.

St. Louis has definitely been singing the Blues at home. This is a team that is inside out this season, playing 13-7-4 on the road, but a dismal 9-14-3 at home. You can bet that is getting into their heads at this point of the season. The Ducks have been a hot hockey team as they are 7-2 over their last nine. The Blues’ home woes take on a bigger burden as this is their fourth game in six nights - a mark that they are one of the worst in the NHL in winning. The Blues are 36-75-6 in the fourth in six nights. The Ducks are playing better hockey, and are in a good situation, winning six of the last eight in this series. I'll go with Anaheim here.

This is an unenviable situation for the Blues. They are playing poor at home all season, are playing their fourth game in six nights where they are just 36-75-6, and to cover a puckline of -1.5 is a monumental task in a game where they are in a losing situation on all fronts. They are playing a team that is winning seven of nine, and playing their best hockey right now. I'll back Anaheim here on the puckline.

Results: 2-6

NHL Hockey Picks Resources:

• Check out our updated hockey handicapping.
• Here we show our hockey betting approach.
• Don't forget to visit our hockey Game-of-Day-Preview.
• Check out NHL sportsbook here.
• View hockey lines here.
• Check out NHL ATS records here.
• Read our NHL blog here.
• Check out our updated 2009 NHL prior pick results.

Check out the last five NHL Hockey Picks Newsletters:

NHL-Hockey-Picks-January-22-2010
The Avalanche have gotten back to playing winning hockey and have now come out on the right side of 12 of their last 18 games. The difference has been the play behind the net and on the defensive end....

NHL-Hockey-Picks-January-21-2010
The Flyers have been treading water all season long, and stand a tick over the .500 mark for the season. They certainly haven't been very dominating on home ice where they have come out on the rig...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-January-20-2010
The Blues have been the antithesis of almost every professional team, especially in the NHL. The Blues have failed to get it done at home, but put them on the road and they are 12-6-4. The Blues have ...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-January-19-2010
The Toronto Maple Leafs is not a good hockey team, but there is value on them off the perception created by a bad start. The Leafs came out on the wrong side of 17 of their first 20 games, but have si...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-January-18-2010
The Boston Bruins are still getting tons of respect here from the oddsmakers, despite their slip on home ice. Last season the Bruins were all but unbeatable at home dropping just six games all season....