Nhl Game Predictions - October 23, 2008

We lost our two picks last night on the NHL ice and today we look to bounce back with a trio of NHL premium selections.

Today's NHL Hockey Picks:

Game: Buffalo at Minnesota (8:05 PM Eastern)
Pick: 3 units on Game Total UNDER 5.5 -140 (risk 3 to win 2.1)

Both of these teams are sizzling hot to start the season as they both enter this game unbeaten. The Sabres are getting exceptional goaltending from both netminders as Ryan Miller and Patrick Lalime have both sparkled behind the net. The Sabres are allowing just 1.67 goals per game through their first six, so it is easy to see why they are without a loss. The Wild have been equally as good defensively with Niklas Backstrom allowing just 2.25 goals per game. This one appears to be won on the defensive side with 5.5 goals looking like great value here as neither team has allowed more than three goals yet on the season, and this one appears to play like a 3-2, 2-1 type game. I will back the UNDER here.

The Coyotes will be glad to get back home where they opened the season with a 3-1 win over Columbus. They have been traveling since and not successfully as they dropped their last three road tilts. They will get their enforcer back tonight in Daniel Carcillo, after serving a two- game suspension for fighting which should give them a further boost at home. The Washington Capitals have had similar success and failure where they are without a loss at home, but just 1-2 on the road. These teams have not met in almost two years. The Caps have had a lot of difficulty traveling to the Pacific Division which is a long trip, and it has shown to the tune of a 6-21 record in their last 27. I'll back the Coyotes in this one.

I posted most of my reasons for Phoenix in the ML play, but with the lack of any kind of success by the Capitals traveling to the Pacific Division, I'm also playing the value on the puckline.

Results: 1-2

NHL Hockey Picks Resources:

• Check out NHL spreads here.
• Read our hockey betting approach here.
• Updated today: NHL handicapping.
• View our NHL ATS standings here.
• Don't forget to read our NHL sportsbook reviews here.
• Check out our updated NHL Game-of-Day Analysis.
• Check out blog hockey picks here.
• Take a look at our 2008 NHL hockey prior picks results here.

Check out the last five NHL Hockey Picks Newsletters:

NHL-Hockey-Picks-October-22-2008
The Sharks are off to a nice quick 5-1 start while the Flyers have yet to find the win column in the '08-09 NHL season through five games. The Sharks have benefited from four home games, all wins....

NHL-Hockey-Picks-October-21-2008
This looks like a reputation-oriented moneyline, as opposed to a results oriented one. The Ducks enter with a disappointing 1-5 mark and are favored on the road? Something is obviously wrong with this...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-October-20-2008
The Rangers got out of the gate with an impressive 5-0 start, but have struggled since. Henrik Lundqvist was a good part of the reason as he allowed just five goals in his first five games behind the ...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-October-18-2008
The Boston Bruins make the trip to Ottawa to square off against the Senators. The Bruins have yet to play at home, and they have held their own on the road where they are even at 1-1-1. This is coming...

NHL-Hockey-Picks-October-17-2008
Both the Vancouver Cunucks and the Buffalo Sabres are out of the gate strong to begin the NHL season. The Canucks come to Buffalo with a 3-1 mark while the Sabres are a perfect 3-0. The Sabres’ ...