Nhl Hockey Picks - November 23, 2009

Adding plays on Phoenix and Washington...

We skated to another victory ont he NHL last night hitting another 5-unit play. We are now 20-3 (87%) with our 5-unit selections on the season. Two more 5-unit NHL picks anchor our nine-pick menu today. Over the last month, our NHL picks are screaming at 62% (69-43) for +59 units.

WUNDERDOG 2009 RECENT RESULTS ($100/bet)
SPORT	WINS-LOSSES	%	NET
NFL	16-11 last 27 picks	59%	+$910
MLB	265-219 last 484 picks	55%	+$8370
CBB	5-0 last 5 picks	100%	+$1230
NBA	19-13 last 32 picks	59%	+$1250
NHL	69-43 last 112 picks	62%	+$5870
WNBA	121-90 last 211 picks	57%	+$5490
TOTAL			+$23120

Today's NHL Hockey Picks:

Game: Columbus at New York Rangers (7:05 PM Eastern)
Pick: 3 units on New York Rangers -130 (moneyline) (risk 3 to win 2.3)

The New York Rangers have been grounded after a very fast start winning only once in their last five games and it took a shootout to accomplish that. The Blue Jackets also started fast, but they have seen six of their last 10 require a shootout, or overtime to determine the winner. The Blue Jackets have the worst road record of any NHL team when playing on the road vs. a team with a winning home record. The numbers are ugly as they are just 44-127-8 in their last 179! The Rangers meanwhile have feasted as a home favorite of -110 to -150 where they are 38-17. This is a good spot for the Rangers to get healthy, and I'll back them in this one.

The New York Islanders looked like they were heading for the bottom of the NHL until a four-game winning streak righted the ship, but they are heading back down again. When this team loses, it doesn't score as they have 10 losses scoring two goals or less already this season. Toronto is simply offensively challenged, and has already scored two or fewer in 13 of their 21 games the season. The Islanders offense has been further crippled playing on just one day of rest, where they have played 26 of the last 32 to the UNDER! The Maple Leafs are making a rare appearance as a home favorite and have played 7-3-1 to the UNDER in their last 11 as home chalk. I like this one to go UNDER the total.

It is hard to make a mistake playing the Stanley Cup Champion Penguins, at home or away. The Pens are already out of the gate at 8-4 on the road, and the Panthers are just one of five NHL teams that have failed to produce a .500, or better record at home. The Penguins as a road favorite have been a perfect 8-0 in their last eight, and 38-13 overall in the role of a favorite. The Panthers’ lack of success at home has been even worse when cast in the role of a home dog, where they are just a futile 7-19 in their last 26. The Penguins have taken eight of the last 11 meetings, and I'll back them in this one at a bargain price.

Yes, Brian Elliott did a stand-up job in last game in relief of Pascal Leclaire, but he is still the backup. Washington has their own injury issues, but they still have Ovechkin, are coming off a couple of days of rest, and they are simply the better team here. The Caps are 35-18 vs. teams that score 2.9+ goals per game, dating back to last season. I like them to get the win here.

Washington should win this game, and the chances that they lose by 2+ goals are very slim. They are averaging 3.3 goals per game ont he road - the same amount as Ottawa is at home. Since last season, the Capitals are 35-18 vs. the puck line vs. high-scoring teams (those scoring 2.9+ goals per game). I like Washington on the +1.5 puck line here.

These teams can't score, but I like them to get this game over 5 goals. Both teams are averaging 2.4 goals per game. Boston's defense has weaknesses. They are allowing 31 shots per game on the road and 3.0 goals per game over their last five. St. Louis has been playing much better defense but they should be able to score on Boston enough to help this go OVER the total. The Bruins are 30-19 OVER since last season when facing a losing team. They are also 17-8 OVER during the same span after back-to-back road games. I see this one going OVER.

The Carolina Hurricanes went 14 games without recording a win – the longest drought in franchise history, including their days in Hartford. The Hurricanes have it going now and have won three of four with the only setback - a shootout loss. The difference has been that the offense is finally making things happen. The Hurricanes scored just 12 times in the last eight games of the losing streak, but have since scored 16 times in the four games following. Dallas has struggled to put together back-to-back winners as they haven't done so this month, and for that matter it has been an ongoing saga for this team as they are just 14-37 after a win in their last 51 wins. The Hurricanes are in a great spot as they are 11-1-2 in their last 14 meetings vs. Dallas! I like a really live big dog here and will go with Carolina.

This is a good spot for Carolina as the team image off the 14-game losing streak has made the lines soar against them. The Stars have really had trouble putting together two solid efforts in a row at 14-37 after a win. The Hurricanes have been killing the Stars as they are 11-1-2 in the last 14 meetings, so getting the plus side of the puckline is huge here. I'll go Hurricanes on the puckline.

Edmonton hasn't won back-to-back games in a month. The last time they did it was on October 22 and they are just 3-11 since then. Phoenix has cooled a bit since a great start but they have still won three of their last five games and they have allowed just 12 goals total in their last five games. With the Oilers allowing 3.5 goals per game at home this season, I like the Coyotes chances here. Edmonton is 1-8 this season after having lost 2+ of their last three games. Phoenix is 9-5 as an underdog and I like them to get the win here.

Results: 4-5

NHL Hockey Picks Resources:

• Take a look at our NHL hockey predictions here.
• Here we show our NHL hockey sports handicapping philosophy.
• Don't forget to visit our NHL hockey Game-of-Day-Preview.
• Check out sports betting NHL here.
• Here we show our NHL hockey odds and lines.
• View NHL ATS standings here.
• View our NHL blog here.
• View 2009 NHL hockey prior pick season results here.

Check out the last five NHL Hockey Picks Newsletters:

NHL-Hockey-Picks-November-22-2009
The Blackhawks have won six straight but they must face a Vancouver team here that is 8-2 at home. Chicago is just 4-5 on the road. The Canucks are powering in 3.7 goals per game at home, allowing jus...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-November-21-2009
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 m...

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...