Atlanta Thrashers vs. Montreal Canadiens
Wow I have no idea why the Trashers are dogs in this game. They've been one of the most surprising teams in the league. Averaging 4 goals a game and having a PP of almost 40%! There's gotta be a ton of value betting the Trashers here. They have the lowly 2-5 Canadiens outmatched in almost every category. Pavelec starts and he's been pretty solid in net, going 3-1 with a 2.76 GAA. Montreal is only averaging 2 goals a game, they have a -1.29 goal differential. Hammer away at this line early, I expect it to jump.
Lines aren't out yet, for my book..but I'll just use another.
Thrashers +106 @5Dimes 5 units
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Calgary Flames
This should be a good match up and a close game. The Jackets have already stolen one against the Flames. Columbus surely has the superior goalie, and Steve Mason will have to show up tonight for them to win. He allowed only 1 goal in the last meeting against the Flames. He's been pretty good so far with a 2.35 GAA and a .925 SV%. I like Columbus tonight, I think there's definitely some value out there, but again we have two decent teams facing off. I'm going to go on a hunch that the UNDER will prevail tonight, these teams played each other tight and defensively last meeting, I assume the game plan will not change. The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Columbus's last 6 games on the road. The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Columbus' last 8 games when playing Calgary. The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Columbus' last 10 games when playing on the road against Calgary. However, the wildcard to the UNDER bet, is Calgary's vast offensive potential..they are averaging 3.75 goals and the total has gone OVER in 7 out of their last 8 games. Mason has to show up tonight to shut down Calgary.
Columbus +134 @5dimes 5 units
CBJ/Calgary UNDER -107@5dimes 5 units
St. Louis Blues vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Tough match tonight for the Blue notes, facing the defending champs is never an easy task and I'm sure former blue Jay Mckee and Bill Guerin will have no problem getting pumped for this match up. Statically, the teams are actually relatively close...Goals are 3.50 for Pitts and 3.17 for Blues, Penguins also barely edge STL out in GAA. These are not going to be the factors of determining the game. However, special teams are going to sort this one out. The Blues have far the superior PP, and if it can click then the Penguins might be in trouble. The Penguins are not immune to penalty minutes and have taken their fair share..159 PIM thus far..looking over the individual roster every player has at least two minors except left wing Bourque. They're averaging a period in PIMs per game. If they keep up the shady play it's going to hurt them, and the Blues have the PP potential to make them pay. I think Mason will be pumped up and will bring his A game. Even without Jackman the Blues have a solid defense and Brewer and Pietranglo have made the road trip so they could make a surprising start. Basically St. Louis is 3-1 when the money goes against them. They seem to score and have good chemistry on the road, there's definitely some value in St. Louis tonight. The easy pick would be Pittsburgh, but we're looking for value here, the Blues are not a +162 underdog. Attacking weak lines, that's where the money is.
St. Louis Blues +162 @5dimes 5 units
Small bet on UNDER in this game. 2 units UNDER 6 -125@bodog
Also I like the UNDER in the ATL/Montreal game..small bet 2 units UNDER 6 -105@bodog
NHL Stats 2009-2010
18-10 +36.72 Units, 125% ROI