2-2 yesterday in the picks; let’s turn to the Thursday
action on the ice.
Philadelphia
Flyers at Toronto Maple Leafs
NHL Odds: Flyers -150
The Toronto Maple Leafs continue to play poorly and
they’re simply waiting for the final buzzer. They’ve now lost 19 of their last
24 games and there’s really no reason to have faith in them. It’s almost
laughable to think that this team was once 28-19-6.
The Leafs have faced the Flyers three times this season
and come away with losses each time. In each of those matchups, the Leafs were
actually playing better than they are now, so there’s little reason to think
anything will change since the Leafs are down in the dumps.
The Flyers have now won nine of the last 11 meetings
including four of the last five in Toronto. Bet Philly in this spot.
NHL Picks: Flyers
St. Louis Blues at
Chicago Blackhawks
NHL Odds: Over/Under 5
It’s hard not to like the under in St. Louis Blues
games. Both of their goaltenders have been phenomenal this season. Brian
Elliott has posted a franchise-record nine shutouts and comes into the game not
having allowed a goal in 186:33. He’s expected to get the night off in favor of
Jaroslav Halak, who has played pretty well in his own right. He hasn’t given up
more than two goals in 11 straight starts. Given how the Blues score, if their
opponent is going to be held to two or less, the game is quite likely to go
under.
Halak is 3-0-1 with a 1.47 GAA in his last four starts
against the Chicago Blackhawks. Meanwhile, his likely counterpart, Corey Crawford, is 4-1-0 in
his last five starts with a 2.08 GAA. He’s allowed just four goals through
three outings with the Blues this season while posting a 1.46 GAA and a .944
save percentage.
The under is 15-5 when the Blues are on the road with a
total of five and 10-1 when they’re coming off a game where they shutout their
opponent. Take the under as part of your NHL picks for tonight.
NHL Picks: Under
San Jose Sharks at
Phoenix Coyotes
NHL Odds: Over/Under 5
I’d love nothing more than to take out a second mortgage,
bet against the San Jose Sharks and cash in on them, but they’re so wildly inconsistent
that they’ll probably win tonight
The Sharks are simply pathetic. Facing a feeble Anaheim
Ducks team that had nothing on the line last night, the Sharks barely mustered
a goal in a 3-1 loss. And by the way, the Sharks are fighting for their playoff
lives.
They’ll be doing so again on Thursday when they visit
Phoenix, who is the team that’s chasing them.
Look for this to have a playoff-like atmosphere with both
teams playing it close to the vest. Nine of the last 15 meetings have gone
under, so this series does trend to lower scoring games slightly. Throw in the
fact that the Sharks played last night and that it’s their third game in four
nights and we’ll look for another low scoring output.
NHL Picks: Under 5