Nhl Picks Handicapping - November 21, 2009

We added another another winning day on the NHL ice including another 5-unit winner to boost our 5-unit record on the season to 19-3. Over the last month, our NHL picks are hitting 64% at 65-36 for +70 units. Today we own the ice with nine picks including a pair of 4-unit selections.

WUNDERDOG 2009 RECENT RESULTS ($100/bet)
SPORT	WINS-LOSSES	%	NET
NFL	11-9 last 20 picks	55%	+$290
MLB	265-219 last 484 picks	55%	+$8370
NBA	17-13 last 30 picks	57%	+$700
NHL	65-36 last 101 picks	64%	+$7010
WNBA	121-90 last 211 picks	57%	+$5490
TOTAL			+$21860

Today's NHL Hockey Picks:

Game: Calgary at Los Angeles (4:05 PM Eastern)
Pick: 4 units on Los Angeles -120 (moneyline) (risk 4 to win 3.3)
Pick: 3 units on Game Total UNDER 5.5 -110 (risk 3 to win 2.7)

The Calgary Flames have been a mystery team so far this season as they are playing around the .500 mark at home and have lost just one time on the road. We know from NHL history that teams don't maintain that winning pace in this league on the road. The Kings have played 14 of their last 19 on the road, and dropped their return game after a lengthy road trip to the Flyers 3-2. I would bet that they will feel more at home for this one, and bring their top level of hockey to this one. That has been the case when the Kings have two day’s rest between games where they are now 8-2 in their last 10. The Flames’ road record is a bit misleading as they are now 1-9 in their last 10 on the road vs. a team with a winning home record. Not only that, but they have played to the same mark vs. a team with a winning home record to the UNDER, where they are also 9-1 staying UNDER the total. The favorite has cashed here in nine of the last 11, and with the pronounced UNDER tendency by the Flames against winning home teams, I like LA here and the UNDER.

Ryan Miller has been great in goal for the Sabres. When he hasn't been behind the net for the Sabres, which has been three games, the Sabres have allowed four goals in each game. Miller behind the net has been a different story as he has allowed two goals or less in 13 of 16 games! The Sabres’ offense has been struggling of late as they have not chipped in with more than three in any of the last 10 games and have averaged just 2.1 themselves. The Senators invite a low-scoring game as a home favorite where five of the last seven have failed to reach the total. I like this one to fall UNDER the total.

The Detroit Red Wings have been one of the best hockey teams for the past several years. They have been 24-18 on the road as a favorite since the beginning of last season. The Canadiens have not been a home dog much in that same time period, but have a losing record when posted as such. I guess it all boils down to the fact the Red Wings have dominated this series as they are 9-4 in the last 13 meetings, but more importantly are 5-2 in Montreal. The Red Wings are also 78-38 in a game following where they allowed two goals or less, and the Canadiens haven't found the money often in the role of an underdog where they are just 10-25 in their last 35. I'll go with Detroit here.

The Carolina Hurricanes just went through a nightmare. They went through longest streak without winning in franchise history, including their days as the Hartford Whalers, where the Hurricanes went winless in 14 straight. What we often see is a team that snaps a long losing skid often plays on a different level when they break it and starts to get some breaks. Carolina has now won two of their last three, and obviously things are going much better - ego and confidence as well. They'll face a Tampa team that has posted just three road wins in 10 tries on the season, and one of those attempts was here in Carolina where they lost. The Lightning is just 14-37 on one day of rest. There is one game the Hurricanes have thrived on and that is taking on an opponent that has a road winning percentage of .400 or less, where they are 45-19. I'll go with Carolina here.

The Penguins came out of gate carrying the momentum leftover from last season's Stanley Cup win by dropping just one game in their first 10. That emotion has settled and the Penguins have been lackluster since. They have allowed an amazing 30 goals in their last seven games, or better than four per game. Enter an Atlanta team that has been scoring every single night. The Thrashers have now scored three or more goals in 12 straight games and in 16 of 18 on the season. The Thrashers are averaging 4.13 a game. It has led to eight of their last 10 at home topping the total. With a very giving defense and goaltending by the Penguins, this one goes OVER the total.

The Philadelphia Flyers have had the luxury of playing 12 of their first 19 on home ice and just five road games since opening with two on the road – both wins. They have not played well since on the road and have been out-scored by three goals and are allowing better than three per contest. They are now in a situation that has not been kind to them and that is playing for the third time in four days. They have not done well, losing their last five in that situation. It is also their fourth game in six days, where they are 16-35. The Coyotes are coming up big in the underdog role at 11-5 in their last 16. This dog has a bite, and I'll back Phoenix here.

The Edmonton Oilers may have a losing record on the season, but at home they have been a much different hockey team at 7-3-1. The Blackhawks are another one of those teams that have benefitted by playing most of their early schedule at home where they have played 13 to just seven on the road. The Blackhawks have struggled against the solid home teams in the league as they have turned in an ugly 24-65-1 mark in their last 90 on the road vs. a home team with a winning percentage of .600 or better. The Oilers have taken five of their last six on two days rest, and are biting big as a dog where they have gone 9-4 as a dog from +110 to +150. The Oilers are 7-1 to the UNDER against opponents that allowed just two goals or less in their last game. This series has played four of the last five UNDER as well. I like Edmonton and the UNDER.

Results: 3-6

NHL Hockey Picks Resources:

• Check out our updated free NHL pick.
• Check out our updated NHL hockey handicapping philosophy.
• Check out NHL hockey Game-of-Day-Preview here.
• Check out hockey sportsbook here.
• Updated today: NHL hockey lines.
• Don't forget to visit our NHL ATS standings.
• Check out NHL picks blog here.
• View our updated 2009 NHL prior picks season results.

Check out the last five NHL Hockey Picks Newsletters:

NHL-Hockey-Picks-November-20-2009
The Red Wings are coming off their first true home loss of the season - a 3-1 setback to Dallas. The low-scoring game is becoming the norm in Detroit as they have played four of their last five here U...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-November-19-2009
The New Jersey Devils saw their remarkable road winning streak halted at nine by the Philadelphia Flyers. Streaks like that require intensity every single night as the players are aware and try to ext...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-November-18-2009
The Sabres are out of the gate fast and have caught fire as they have raced to three straight wins, and have won seven of their last nine at home. They have been playing great defense, and getting sup...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-November-17-2009
The New York Rangers have played six of their last eight games to the UNDER and the leading reason has been a struggling offense. The Rangers’ offense which was clicking at just shy of four goal...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-November-16-2009
The New Jersey Devils are now 9-0-0 on the road this season while they have been just an average team at home, standing at 5-4. That certainly gets your attention and respect, but they will have diffi...