Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Tuesday Prediction

Philadelphia Flyers out for Revenge at Pittsburgh

The Pick: Philadelphia +100 over Pittsburgh

Suddenly, the Philadelphia Flyers are in danger of relinquishing the first overall seed in the Eastern Conference and according to their coach they're not playing with enough "desperation". Tonight they travel to Pittsburgh to face the Penguins who are only two points behind them for the Atlantic Division lead. The Flyers could drop down to the fourth seed if they don't pick it up these last seven games. Philadelphia has dropped their last four at home, although three of them were shootout losses. We think going on the road is exactly what they need right now to get back on track.

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh has been playing tremendous hockey without their top two players Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin in the lineup. Marc-Andre Fluery has been stellar lately by only giving up only two goals in the last three games. Pittsburgh is winning many low-scoring, tight checking games lately with a make shift lineup that is dealing with many injuries. They have won four games in a row and all of those wins were in a shootout.

Despite the fact that Pittsburgh has played well recently, they're facing an angry Flyers club who had 20 turnovers in their last game against Boston, which is more than double their season average of 8.11 per game. Take the Flyers on a line that is just about even.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Monday Prediction

Desperate Blackhawks Look to Win Fourth Straight Game in Detroit

The Pick: Chicago +110 over Detroit

This is one of only two NHL games on the Monday night slate and more is at stake for the Chicago Blackhawks. Chicago is currently in the eighth seed but only one point ahead of ninth place Calgary. Of all the Western teams fighting for the playoffs the Blackhawks have the most difficult schedule and will meet Detroit two more times after tonight. Good news for the Hawks is that they have had recent success winning in Detroit. Chicago posted a 4-1 victory in this building in January and have won three straight overall at Joe Louis arena. The Wings will be without starting goalie, Jimmy Howard, as well as leading scorers Johan Franzen and Pavel Datsyuk. We recommend to go with the more desperate team tonight in the Chicago Blackhawks.