NHL Predictions for Friday October 10, 2008

Ron Raymond here with your NHL predictions for Friday October 10, 2008.

N.Y. Islanders at New Jersey

Keys to selection: Nice goaltending duel tonight, as DiPietro vs. Brodeur should go down to the wire like two stallions coming down the stretch at Woodbine. Both teams were in the top 10 of teams who didn't take allot of penalties last season, so we should see allot of 5 on 5 hockey. The Devils have a lot of depth on their team, because when Bobby Holik is your 4th centre, you're pretty deep up front. The Islanders might have a bit of more motivation for their 1st year head coach Scott Gordon, as this will be his first NHL game as a coach in the big leagues. Gordon was the AHL Coach of the Year with Providence last season, so he's got tons of potential to do well in the NHL.

Prediction: New Jersey 3 NY Islanders 2

Chicago at N.Y. Rangers

Keys to selection: Obviously, the question will be are the New York Rangers bio clock back on Eastern Time zone and will they have the same energy as the new Chicago Black Hawks. Henrik Lundqvist was outstanding last week in Prague and the Blackhawks counter with Huet this evening. Huet is a funny goaltender, he can stand on his head or he can let beach balls go in! The Rangers have something good happening this season, they've dismissed the players who brought negative energy to the room and they got rid of the old wood that weren't able to stay in step with the new NHL. The Blackhawks have seen the OVER go to 11-51 as a road team during the month of October the last 3 seasons. The O/U is a risky proposition this evening, due to the hot and cold factor of Huet being inconsistent. Rangers get it done at the MSG!

Prediction: NYR 5 Chicago 3

Florida at Carolina

Keys to selection: The Carolina Hurricanes are being hit with the injury bug, as Scott Walker and Justin Williams will be out 6 weeks and 6 months in Williams case. Not the way head coach Peter Laviolette wanted to start the season with his role players being on the shelf. When you look at this Florida team, it looks like they will have to have some type of trap system in place, because they will not win shoot out games with this line up. However, their MVP is in nets and Vokoun will steal them some games this season, which you expect on a team like the Panthers. Here's another coach making his debut, former Kitchener Rangers coach Peter DeBoer makes his debut in the NHL and this will give the Panthers some extra motivation tonight to get their new head coach the win. The Panthers have been a horrible road underdog the last 2 years in October with their 2-11 SU record, but look for Vokoun to stand on his head.

Prediction: Florida 3 Carolina 2

Montreal at Buffalo

Keys to selection: The Montreal Canadiens on paper should be considered the class of the Eastern Conference. However, they start the 2008 season on the road in Buffalo, one night before meeting the Toronto Maple Leafs on Hockey Night in Canada. If you're not familiar with HNIC, it's the Monday Night Football programming of the NHL in Canada. Plus, considering the Leafs beat the Red Wings on the road last night, the Habs might have that in their subconscious this evening for the Sabres. Carey Price will get the nod this evening, but he exposed a bad glove side in the playoff last season, so look for the Sabres to go upstairs tonight when they have the chance. If you want perfection, the Habs are 14-0-0 the last 3 years as a road underdog in October on the puck line (+1.5).

Prediction: Montreal 6 Buffalo 3

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Washington at Atlanta

Keys to selection: Rumors came out early this week that Ovechkin injured his upper leg this week, but will be a go tonight in Atlanta. The Thrashers head coach John Anderson is a winner, as he's won 4 of the past 8 AHL Championships with the Chicago Wolves, but he will see quickly, he doesn't have the horses needed to win consistently in the NHL. Washington will showcase their new goaltender tonight in Jose Theodore and he's fought his way back to be a class A goaltender again. The Thrashers are 4-17-5 SU as a home underdog in October in their last 50 games.

Prediction: Washington 6 Atlanta 4

Nashville at St. Louis

Keys to selection: The Predators are like the Oakland A's of the NHL; they have a bunch of players with ton of heart and find ways to win. The Blues are rebuilding their franchise and John Davidson is doing a nice job in getting the Blues back to respectability again. Neither teams are deep in depth, but this game will be played on the special teams. It's crucial for both teams to stay out of the box tonight, but the Blues might have the edge in their home opener and the books agree by making them a -120 chalk. In fact, the Blues are 11-3-1 SU as a Home Favorite in their last 15 attempts.

Prediction: St.Louis 3 Nashville 1

Columbus at Dallas

Keys to selection: Here's another great goalie showdown, with Pascal Leclaire up against Marty Turco. The Stars could be hell to play against this season, because when you have Sean Avery and Steve Ott on the same team, you have the ingredients to a pesky team. However, will they take it over the top to the fact, they separate the room. Brad Richards was a great acquisition last season and he can play QB on the blue line if needed on the power play. Columbus is a team with a question mark around them, they seem to just stay good, but never take that next step to greatness needed to win in the NHL. Tough spot for the Blue Jackets tonight, but its games like this where the Jackets can catch the Stars napping! Not! Since '98, the UNDER is 20-7-6 for Dallas at home as a Favorite during the month of October and the total is 5.0.

Prediction: Dallas 3 Columbus 0

You can check out more from Ron Raymond at www.phoenixsports.com

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Ron Raymond, Gambling911.com