Nhl Playoff Predictions - January 28, 2010

We took a small step back yesterday, finishing 1-3-1. Today we look to add to our 71% (59-24) season 5-unit NHL run with four 5-unit picks. Over the lasst three months are NHL picks are 235-155 (60%) for +170 units.

WUNDERDOG 2010 RECENT RESULTS ($100/bet)
SPORT	WINS-LOSSES	%	NET
NFL	45-29 last 74 picks	61%	+$3880
CFB	25-10 last 35 picks	71%	+$6040
MLB	265-219 last 484 picks	55%	+$8370
CBB	118-94 last 212 picks	56%	+$6210
NHL	235-155 last 390 picks	60%	+$17010
WNBA	121-90 last 211 picks	57%	+$5490
TOTAL			+$47000

Today's NHL Hockey Picks:

Game: Ottawa at Pittsburgh (7:05 PM Eastern)
Pick: 5 units on Game Total UNDER 5.5 -110 (risk 5 to win 4.6)

The Pittsburgh Penguins had some serious problems behind the net. They allowed 31 goals over an eight-game stretch, but have found the remedy as they have now allowed just 3 in their last two games. The Senators have won seven straight games, and have been all but invincible on the defensive end and behind the net. The Senators have allowed a total of 7 goals in their last seven games. The Penguins have tightened things up, and coming home I'd expect more of the same as they have played to a 10-4-1 mark to the UNDER with two days rest. This one looks to be a tight/low scoring affair, so I'll go with the UNDER here.

The Islanders have come a long way after a brutal start to move over the .500 mark for the season. The Carolina Hurricanes, after an early season train wreck, have also played much better hockey. Their 14-game winless streak saw them allow 56 goals or 4 per game, and that certainly has been remedied by the fact that they have given up just 23 in their last 10, or 2.3 per game. The Hurricanes have gone six straight to the UNDER playing an opponent that allowed 5 or more goals in their previous game. Likewise the Islanders, after allowing 5 or more in their last game, have played 17-5-2 UNDER the following game and overall. And on one day of rest, they’ve gone 37-15 to the UNDER in their last 52. I'll go with the UNDER in this one.

The Colorado Avalanche has to be one of the biggest stories in the NHL this season as they are a markedly improved team. They are on fire right now and the defense and goaltending are leading the way. The Avalanche have won six straight, and have allowed just 7 goals against them. That is just over 1 per contest. The Wild is not a potent team, especially on the road where they have only been able to generate 24 goals in their last 12, or 2 per game. Big offensive outbursts are not the norm for this team, and after scoring 5+ in their previous game, they have come back to a 34-16-7 mark to the UNDER. These teams have very often played low-scoring games as the UNDER has been the winner to a 17-6-4 mark over the last 27 meetings, and the last six played in Colorado have all gone UNDER. I'll back the UNDER in this one.

The Sharks continue to impress with great hockey. They are relentless on the defensive end and being the net, which is why they have taken seven of their last eight. Opponents have managed just 11 goals in the eight games, and not a single team has topped the 2 mark. The Blackhawks have done a remarkable job this season at 36-13-4. One reason is the fact that they have allowed 2 goals or less in 29 of the 53 games, and three or less in 41 of the 53. That doesn't leave much room on either side to be scoring big in this one. The Sharks have been decidedly an under team after scoring 5 or more as they have gone 36-17-3 to the UNDER in their following game. This one has a playoff billing and will be played accordingly, so I'll back the UNDER.

Results: 3-1

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Check out the last five NHL Hockey Picks Newsletters:

NHL-Hockey-Picks-January-27-2010
The Buffalo Sabres are scoring, but they can't stop anyone and that has led to a lot of recent losses.  It has also led to 65 goals scored in their last ten games, or an average of 6.5 a game...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-January-26-2010
The Ducks have been squandering opportunities on the road, and an anemic offensive output is the culprit. The Ducks have managed just 19 goals in their last 10 road games, or less than 2 per contest. ...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-January-25-2010
The Vancouver Canucks have had it going lately with four straight wins and this team has been masterful all season long at home at 21-7-1. They have been particularly sharp on the defensive end allowi...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-January-24-2010
The Avs are on a tear, surprising all the naysayers. They have grabbed a hold of first place thanks to winning five straight. How are they doing it? Defense! They have not allowed any of their last ei...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-January-23-2010
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...