Nhl Picks Free - May 23, 2009

We have hit three of our last four NHL picks and are +8.1 units (63%) since the first week of May. Today, we feature a 5-unit pick from the Pittsburgh vs. Carolina series. 

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Today's NHL Hockey Picks:

Game: Pittsburgh at Carolina (7:30 PM Eastern)
Pick: 5 units on Pittsburgh +110 (moneyline) (risk 5 to win 5.5)

The Penguins head to Carolina leading the series two games to none, and have had their way with the Hurricanes. The Hurricanes were not supposed to be here and the toll of the grueling 14 games it took to find their way to this series may be grinding them down. The Hurricanes are here despite the fact that they have a .500 record in the playoffs at 8-8. Not sure how frequently that happens yet end up in the third round. They seem to be wearing down defensively and mentally, as they have now lost four of their last five and in the process, are giving up an average of four goals per game. That may be very telling as the Hurricanes had just one such stretch this season allowing four goals per game over a five-game sequence, and lost them all. The Penguins appear hungry to get back to the Stanley Cup Finals, winning six of their last seven and have not scored fewer than three goals in any game over their last eight. The Hurricanes’ weary legs have now gone 3-10 in their last 13 after allowing five goals or more in a game. These defensive lapses are ready to be cashed-in by a Penguins’ offense that is scoring in every game. I'll go Penguins here.

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Check out the last five NHL Hockey Picks Newsletters:

NHL-Hockey-Picks-May-21-2009
The Pittsburgh Penguins continue their quest to get back into the Stanley Cup Finals, where they lost to the Red Wings a year ago. The Penguins are playing well at home where they have claimed victory...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-May-18-2009
The Pittsburgh Penguins are now one series away from returning to the Stanley Cup Finals, and open the series at home vs. Carolina. Pittsburgh opened their series at 0-2 with the Caps, but ran off fou...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-May-14-2009
The Detroit Red Wings look to continue their quest for consecutive Stanley Cups as they conclude their series with the Anaheim Ducks at home. The series is even at three games apiece, and the winner m...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-May-13-2009
It all comes down to one game for the Capitals and the Penguins, who have locked up in a dead heat at three games apiece through six. All you have to do is look at where both these teams came from to ...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-May-12-2009
I’m not sure many expected this Hurricanes’ team to go up 3-1 in the series vs. the Bruins, and they now get their first attempt to close out the series at home up three games to two. The ...