A frustrating night last night as the Leafs blew a 4-2 lead in the third, allowing the Panthers to score four unanswered in the third to defeat Toronto 6-4.
Lots of action in the world of hockey today, we have two picks for the NHL as well as three picks for the World Jr Championship games today.
NHL Picks
Montreal Canadiens @ Carolina Hurricanes: CANADIENS in regulation 2.25
Risk: 2 Units | Win: 2.50 Units
The Montreal Canadiens are ranked 8th overall in the NHL with 46 points in 35 games, and are 3rd overall in the Atlantic Division with 46 points, the Lightning lead the Atlantic with 48 points, and have played two more games than the Habs have. The Carolina Hurricanes have lost eight of their last ten games, and are just 10-21-1-3 on the season, and are currently last place in the Metropolitan Division, and are the second worst team in all of the NHL. The Habs have won two in a row before the break, outscoring opponents 7-2, with a 4-1 victory over Ottawa, as well as a 3-1 victory over the Islanders on Dec. 23rd. The Habs have been especially tight on defense as of late, allowing just 2.10 goals against per game over their last ten games, and are 7th overall on defense (2.37 GA/G). The Carolina offense is the second worst in the NHL as they have recorded an average of just two goals per game played this season, and have scored just 1.30 goals per game over their last 10 games. The Montreal offense is ranked 19th overall with 2.60 goals per game but note that they’ve scored an average of 3.00 goals per game over their last 10 games. Carolina has gone 6.3% on the power play over their last 10 games, and are 19th overall on the man advantage with a 17.1 PP%. The Canadiens are 23rd overall (15.3 PP%) but are 20% over their last 10 games. The Montreal penalty kill is one of the best in the League, currently ranked 6th overall (86.3%), and are 91.7% on the penalty kill over their last 10 games, and haven’t allowed a power play goal in 12 chances across their last three games. It is interesting to note that the Canadiens haven’t seen extra minutes since November 29th, a 4-3 shootout loss to the Buffalo Sabres. Out of seven games that have required extra minutes for the Canadiens this season, five of those happened in the month of October, the other two in November. Carey Price should start for Montreal tonight and is 19-9-1 season-to-date with a 2.05 GAA (9th) and a .926 SV% (7th). Cam Ward is probable for Carolina and is 9-13-2 on the season with a 2.42 GAA and a .913 SV%. The Habs should be able to take care of the second worst team in the NHL in regulation time tonight, they haven’t seen extra minutes since November 29th.
System Picks (Members Only)
Detroit Red Wings @ Boston Bruins: RED WINGS 2.20
RIsk: 2 Units | Win: 2.40 Units
Bonus WJHC (U20) Picks for today
USA (U20) (-3.5) 1.71 vs Slovakia (U20)
Finland (U20) 9.37 vs Canada (U20)
Finland (U20) vs Canada (U20) UNDER 6 GOALS 1.90
Notes:
USA -3.5 means they must win by at least 4 goals.
Finland at odds of 9.37 against Canada is a sensational price, Finland went to a shootout against team USA and played great hockey against them and could’ve easily won. Odds on Finland to win against USA were around 5 to 1 (6.00), we get an even better price against Canada today. Both teams have displayed solid goal tending so this one should stay under 6 goals.
Enjoy all of the hockey today.
