Atlanta at Carolina

A big game in the SouthEast Division Saturday night as two struggling teams try to take claim of the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference. The Hurricanes seem to be a bit hungover after hosting the All-Star Weekend and the Thrashers have been terrible now for about a month.
The Hurricanes trail Atlanta by just 1 point for the 8th and final playoff spot in the East.
For a while, Atlanta had a nice lead on 9th place but now with their struggles, find themselves just 1 point in front of Carolina and just five points in front of 10th place Florida, who has 2 games in hand.

Look for the experienced Hurricanes to turn it around at home and start their 2nd half run to the playoffs.

PICK: Carolina -140

Calgary at Atlanta

Two teams heading in opposite directions meet tonight in Atlanta as the Flames travel south to play the Thrashers. Calgary has lost just once in regulation in their last 10 games and all of a sudden found themselves just 2 points behind 8th place Chicago in the Western Conference.
Calgary got off to a terrible start this season but have found the hot hand lately and have won 5 in a row with impressive wins over Dallas, Vancouver, Nashville twice and St. Louis.

Atlanta has won just twice in their last 10. The Thrashers were a feel good story this season and at one time, found themselves atop the SouthEast Division. Things have gone poorly since and Atlanta can fall out of playoff position for the first time this season with a loss and Carolina win tonight.

Atlanta was beaten soundly at home by the Islanders on Tuesday night 4-1 and didn't look like a team desperate to make the playoffs. Islanders announcer Howie Rose rumored that some team officials feel a sale of the team and move could happen as early as next season. Could this be what has turned their season downward?

Tonight we like the Flames. The Flames have the character and experience to keep the momentum going forward towards the playoffs.

PICK: FLAMES +105

Wednesday Prediction

Ducks over Sharks in key Pacific Division tilt

Prediction: Anaheim -105 over San Jose

Give the Sharks credit for coming back from a 3-0 deficit and beating Phoenix at home last night 5-3. They may not have made their coach happy with how they played the first two periods, but they ended up with two points. Tonight they head to Anaheim to face the Ducks who have won seven of their last ten games. The Ducks shut out the Sharks 1-0 on January 9th and have a very respectable 17-7-1 record at home. San Jose has been way too inconsistent to have any confidence in them winning on back to back nights. All Star goalie, Jonas Hiller gets the call for the Ducks, while Antti Niemi will start again tonight after being pulled last night. We think Anaheim has a slight edge over the Sharks tonight.

Tuesday Prediction

NHL Action returns following All-Star Break

The Pick: Chicago -125 over Columbus

As we start the second half of the NHL season the defending Stanley Cup Champion Blackhawks would qualify for the playoffs by a mere point. Chicago lost it's last two games before the break after winning six of their previous eight games. It appeared that the Hawks were getting back on track but had difficulty with the Flyers and Wild at home. They now embark on a six game road trip beginning with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Chicago has beaten Columbus in two of the three meetings thus far this season and in their wins have won by three goals. Columbus continues to be led by Rick Nash, and is barely in the playoff picture with only 51 points in the ultra competitive Western Conference. This pick is based on the fact that Chicago is the better team, and that they should be feeling some heat that they could miss the playoffs.