NHL Predictions for Saturday October 11, 2008
Canadian 4-Time Champion Sports Handicapper Ron Raymond provides his daily NHL Hockey predictions and provides insightful statistical analysis on each game. The following predictions are based on Ron Raymond's general knowledge of the game and he'll include information from his statistical database, ats calculator, ats ratings and other tools at his disposal to bring readers the best sports betting information on each hockey games. Sports Interaction continues to offer its 15 percent cash bonus when you open a new account (for example, open a sports betting account with $300, receive a free $45). This offer is exclusive to Gambling911.com readers only.
Here are today's NHL Picks for Saturday, October 11, 2008.
Detroit vs. Ottawa
The Red Wings got embarrassed on opening night at the Joe, as they lost as a -300 home favorite to the Toronto Maple Leafs and they now face an Ottawa team who has a goaltending controversy and they'll be without their heart and soul captain, Daniel Alfredsson. When DETROIT team Played as Road team as a Favorite - Last 2 years - Coming off a 1 goal loss - Coming off a 1 game loss; The Red Wings are 11-4 (SU) in this spot the L2Y.
Prediction: Detroit 3 Ottawa 2
St.Louis vs. NY Islanders
Joey Macdonald nearly pulled the ultimate upset in New Jersey last night and they are catching a Blues team coming off a home win last evening. Good spot here for the Islanders on opening night. Plus, looks like Mason will get the nod for the Blues and Joey Mac is 99% sure to be between the pipes tonight for the Boatmen. If you're an O/U player, the UNDER is 12-3-0 for St.Louis when they are a road team - Before a non division game - Last 5 years and playing in back to back games.
Prediction: NY Islanders 4 St.Louis 2
Chicago vs. Washington
Sometimes your gut feeling tells you something is wrong about a game matchup and mine is telling me the Caps 7-4 lost to Atlanta last night might have a rippled effect or a carry over to tonight's game vs. the Blackhawks. Plus, the Blackhawks are coming off a tough 4-2 lost to the Rangers last night and they might want to showcase Khabibulin this evening vs. Ovechkin and company. Chicago is 5-2-1 SU vs. Washington going back to 1996.
Prediction: Chicago 6 Washington 5
Atlanta vs. Florida
The Law of Average could come into play here this evening and this is one of the best value spots to bet the UNDER if you were looking for a totals play this evening. Atlanta was involved in a 7-4 win last night, while Florida lost 6-4 in Carolina. Plus, the UNDER is 8-2-0 for the Thrashers in their last 10 visits to South Beach.
Prediction: Florida 3 Atlanta 2
Montreal vs. Toronto
Here are 2 classic handicapping situations involving both teams in tonight's Big Hockey Night in Canada matchup. The Canadiens got caught looking head last night in Buffalo, as I predicted in my write up yesterday. As for Toronto, they are still reeling off their win over Detroit and they could come out flat at home and this is called the "letdown game". Montreal will most likely start Halak this evening and he will be up against Toskala. Montreal has too much talent to be shut out in back to back games and look for a better offensive production this evening.
Prediction: Montreal 4 Toronto 2
NY Rangers vs. Philadelphia
Click your heels Dorothy; this could be a helluva ride for the Rangers this season. New York are for real and if you seen that game about 10 games ago vs. the Russian KHL team where they came back from a 3-0 deficit to win 4-3, these guys have chemistry. New York is 8-2 SU in their last 10 games vs. Philly and they are off a nice win last night vs. Chicago. When NY RANGERS team played as any home/road team playing in back to back games and they are coming off a home win the last 2 years; The Rangers are 7-3 (SU) the last 2 years in this spot.
Prediction: NY Rangers 4 Philly 2
New Jersey vs. Pittsburgh
Tough spot for the Devils; they are 3-7 (SU) when they are a road team as a Underdog - Last 4 years - Playing in back to back games and coming off an Atlantic division opponent. The Devils have some good depth on this team, but only produce 2 goals vs. a below average Islanders team last night. Pittsburgh is stocked on offense and Brodeur will be tested early and often tonight.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 5 New Jersey 2
Carolina vs. Tampa Bay
Barry Melrose better keep on his top players good side and not put down his top players in his conference, or he could end up back at ESPN as an analyst. However, Mike Smith is a nice goalie they picked up last season and with their home opener vs. a Carolina team coming off a win home last night, they will not feel the urgency the Lightning will have tonight to get their first win of the season. Plus, Carolina is 3-7 (SU) in their last 10 games at Tampa.
Prediction: Tampa Bay 6 Carolina 3
Dallas vs. Nashville
Chemistry is an important factor to a team and I'm going to keep an eye out on the Stars to see how they do with Ott and Avery on the same team and see if that affects the team chemistry, especially when they lose. The Preds are tough at home on the Weekends, they are 14-3 (SU), as a home team as a Favorite - Vs Non Division Opponent - playing on Saturday - Scored 2 goals FOR in their last game.
Prediction: Nashville 4 Dallas 2
Boston vs. Minnesota
Looks like the Bruins will go with Manny Fernandez this evening vs. the Wild and Minny to go with Backstrom. The Wild are 14-1 (SU) as a Home team as a Favorite - Last 4 years - During the month of October.
Prediction: Minnesota 2 Boston 1
Columbus vs. Phoenix
Nice road underdog win last night for the Blue Jackets, as Ken Hitchcock went to his old stomping grounds vs. his old team and Rick Nash got him the OT winner, as they Jackets won 5-4. You might want to consider the OVER this evening, as the OVER is 8-1-1 for the Blue Jackets in their last 10 games vs. the Coyotes in Phoenix.
Prediction: Phoenix 4 Columbus 3
Vancouver vs. Calgary
Watching the highlights the other night, most of the goals the Canucks scored were rebounds and the Flames will need to pay more attention to players around the crease after a shot is taken. It's funny how a team can win by a shutout one game and get shut out the next? If Calgary is going to win this game tonight, they will need to stay out of the penalty box. Plus, when the Flames are at home and they scored 0 goals in their last game, they are 6-0 SU in their next game the last 3 seasons.
Prediction: Calgary 3 Vancouver 0
LA Kings vs. San Jose
The Kings had a nice pre season record, but they will find out tonight how bad they really are vs. teams with a full NHL line up. The Sharks are coming off a 4-1 win over Anaheim and they are 9-4 SU as a Home team as a Favorite - Last 4 years - During the month of October.
Prediction: San Jose 5 LA Kings 1
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Ron Raymond, Gambling911.com