An April Fools NHL Three Pack
An April Fools NHL Three Pack
I’m not a big fan of April Fool’s day in general, as you can’t believe anything you hear, read, or see for an entire 24 hours, but I do love it from a handicappers perspective.
I’ve got three games I like tonight. If I go 3-0 or 2-1, I had a successful day.
If I go 1-2 or 0-3, I’ll just say “April Fools!”, and pretend like I had a successful day.
So without further ado, here are the three games I like today; and I promise, I’m not fooling.
1. New Jersey Devils @ Pittsburgh Penguins OVER 5.5 (-110)
The Devils have been slumping badly, losing 5 straight and 6 of their last 7. Pittsburgh has been playing well, and has left talks of them missing the playoffs this year in the past. While the Devils will be hard pressed to win this game, they should be able to put a few pucks in the net; unlike past Devils teams, this team doesn’t mind playing a fast paced plenty of scoring chances type of game. Pittsburgh tends to bring that style out in teams, as they are more than happy to shoot out with any team in the NHL with two of the league’s top three scorers in Malkin and Crosby on their side.
I expect a fast paced exciting game tonight with plenty of power plays and scoring chances, and 6 goals seems very realistic.
2. Phoenix Coyotes over Colorado Avalanche (-110)
You’d be hard pressed to find a team that has looked more hopeless over the last 2 weeks than the Colorado Avalanche. Over the last seven games (0-7), the Avs have been outscored 33-10, never managing to score more than two goals or give up less then three in any of them. Phoenix meanwhile has shown they still have a little fight left in them despite being out of the playoff race, going 4-3 in their last seven games including impressive wins over San Jose and Vancouver. They are much worse on the road, but considering how terrible Colorado is ANYWHERE, they are worth a shot as a pick’em.
3. St. Louis Blues over Chicago Blackhawks (+135)
The Blackhawks are certainly the better team on paper, but paper doesn’t seem to matter much to the Blues these days, who have strung off five straight wins to get right back into the thick of the playoff race. They are playing inspired hockey and are clicking on all cylinders; at the very least, you know you are going to get a strong effort out of them tonight. Chicago has not been particularly sharp of late, winning only 3 of their last 10 games. It’ll be a tough one in Chicago, but the Blues can pull it off.
Good luck tonight!
I’m not a big fan of April Fool’s day in general, as you can’t believe anything you hear, read, or see for an entire 24 hours, but I do love it from a handicappers perspective.
I’ve got three games I like tonight. If I go 3-0 or 2-1, I had a successful day.
If I go 1-2 or 0-3, I’ll just say “April Fools!”, and pretend like I had a successful day.
So without further ado, here are the three games I like today; and I promise, I’m not fooling.
1. New Jersey Devils @ Pittsburgh Penguins OVER 5.5 (-110)
The Devils have been slumping badly, losing 5 straight and 6 of their last 7. Pittsburgh has been playing well, and has left talks of them missing the playoffs this year in the past. While the Devils will be hard pressed to win this game, they should be able to put a few pucks in the net; unlike past Devils teams, this team doesn’t mind playing a fast paced plenty of scoring chances type of game. Pittsburgh tends to bring that style out in teams, as they are more than happy to shoot out with any team in the NHL with two of the league’s top three scorers in Malkin and Crosby on their side.
I expect a fast paced exciting game tonight with plenty of power plays and scoring chances, and 6 goals seems very realistic.
2. Phoenix Coyotes over Colorado Avalanche (-110)
You’d be hard pressed to find a team that has looked more hopeless over the last 2 weeks than the Colorado Avalanche. Over the last seven games (0-7), the Avs have been outscored 33-10, never managing to score more than two goals or give up less then three in any of them. Phoenix meanwhile has shown they still have a little fight left in them despite being out of the playoff race, going 4-3 in their last seven games including impressive wins over San Jose and Vancouver. They are much worse on the road, but considering how terrible Colorado is ANYWHERE, they are worth a shot as a pick’em.
3. St. Louis Blues over Chicago Blackhawks (+135)
The Blackhawks are certainly the better team on paper, but paper doesn’t seem to matter much to the Blues these days, who have strung off five straight wins to get right back into the thick of the playoff race. They are playing inspired hockey and are clicking on all cylinders; at the very least, you know you are going to get a strong effort out of them tonight. Chicago has not been particularly sharp of late, winning only 3 of their last 10 games. It’ll be a tough one in Chicago, but the Blues can pull it off.
Good luck tonight!