Hockey Predictions - November 08, 2008

We finished 1-1 last night for a slight profit. Today we roll four NHL premium picks.

Today's NHL Hockey Picks:

Game: Pittsburgh at New York Islanders (7:05 PM Eastern)
Pick: 3 units on New York Islanders +150 (moneyline) (risk 3 to win 4.5)
Pick: 3 units on Game Total OVER 5.5 -110 (risk 3 to win 2.7)

The Stanley Cup runner-up Penguins have been in a lot of close games with five decided by either a shoot-out, or OT with two others by one goal, so they certainly haven't been running away from anyone. What they have been doing of late is scoring, as well as giving it up on the other end. The last three Penguins’ games have seen them score 12 times, but they have given it up on the other end to the tune of 11 goals - good for a net of just one in three games. The goals scored have averaged nearly eight, so the OVER is showing great value in this one. The Islanders got off to a dreadful start, with just two wins in their first 10 games, but have matched that total in their last three. They are playing their best right now, and there is certainly value in backing them in this one as a big home dog. They have also been in some scoring fests as their last four games have seen 26 goals cross the net, or 6.5 a game. I'll play the live home dog and the OVER in this one.

The Nashville Predators have been able to get nothing done on the road as they have just a shoot-out win to show for seven trips outside of Nashville. It has been so bad for the Predators that they have allowed 33 goals in the seven games, or almost five per game, and have been out-scored 33-18. The Avalanche has had an up-and-down season. They dropped three games then won five, and have now dropped five again. They will finally get an opportunity to face a team that is simply playing far worse than they are and get them on home ice, so I'll back the Avalanche against a struggling Predators’ team.

The Wild are out of the gate fast, with an 8-3-1 mark on the early NHL ice. Vancouver is off to a good start as well at 8-6. These teams have found the win column because they can both put the puck in the net, as they have combined to average 6.05 goals a game between them. The Wild is also 7-3-3 to the OVER in their last 13 against a team that has a .600 winning percentage or higher at home. Vancouver has played four straight OVERS against teams in the Northwest Conference, and is 8-3-1 to the OVER after scoring two goals or less. These teams have played 5-1-1 to the OVER in their last seven meetings in Vancouver and the trend continues tonight. I'll grab the OVER here.

Results: 2-2

NHL Hockey Picks Resources:

• View our updated NHL hockey odds.
• Updated today: NHL hockey betting approach.
• Read our sports handicapping NHL picks here.
• Hop over to our hockey against-the-spread standings here.
• Updated today: NHL sportsbook.
• Read our hockey Game-of-Day Analysis here.
• Don't forget to visit our blog hockey picks .
• View our updated 2008 hockey prior pick results.

Check out the last five NHL Hockey Picks Newsletters:

NHL-Hockey-Picks-November-07-2008
The Sabres have a hot-hand in goal right now in Ryan Miller as he has combined to record shutouts in his last two behind the net for the Sabres. It is a good thing because the Sabres have only managed...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-November-06-2008
After getting out of the gate in sizzling fashion at 4-0, The Oilers have fallen on hard times, as they have recorded just two wins in their last eight games. The biggest problem has been behind the n...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-November-04-2008
Both Carolina and Toronto have gotten out of the gate above the .500 mark in early NHL action. Carolina has been in either a tight game, or losing big as their three non-OT losses have all been by two...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-November-03-2008
Both of these teams are off to impressive starts, as the Sabres come in at 7-2-2, and the Devils 6-2-2. Buffalo has not been very effective lately, however, in their last four games, they lost a shoot...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-November-02-2008
Atlanta has struggled this season, but they are favored here for a reason. This is their best chance yet to break out of their slump. Florida has lost three straight, scoring on average one goal per g...