Friday's Front Page NHL Picks (Oct 19)

[Willie Bee]

Back Blackhawks +105 vs. Avs

Game Time: 10/19/2007 08:35 PM -
By: Scott Rickenbach | playbook.com

The Blackhawks are a scrappy team with solid defense, especially in the net. With the dog value on their home ice, Chicago is the best play this evening vs. the Colorado Avalanche.

The Colorado Avalanche are likely to be the popular choice here because their very dangerous offense gets all the attention. However, we feel strongly that this situation favors the Chicago Blackhawks in a big way.

The Avs are coming off of a shootout win over Calgary and the Avalanche also have Minnesota on deck. That said, we can easily envision Colorado looking right past Chicago here.

The scrappy Blackhawks are a team no one really wants to face right now. Yes, their offense tends to be sluggish but they have been getting rock solid goaltending this season. The Hawks have already defeated the Red Wings twice this season and they are definitely a dangerous home dog in this spot.

The Avs can get by with their offense when they are motivated and facing a team that is not strong between the pipes. However, the Avalanche are likely to struggle with motivation here (as they look ahead to the Wild) and they're also facing a Blackhawks club that has allowed just 12 goals in six games. Play Chicago on the money line Friday.

Free Pick: Blackhawks +105

[Willie Bee]

Los Angeles Kings +200 to upset Vancouver Canucks

Game Time: 10/19/2007 10:05 PM -
By: LT Profits Sports Group | who2beton.com

The Canucks are just 1-3 at home, and they have tended to play down to the lever of their competition. The Kings have split their last four visits and hold some value here.

The Vancouver Canucks have not played great hockey at home this season while going 1-3, and although the Los Angeles Kings may not be much, we still feel that Vancouver is badly overvalued at this price.

The Canucks looked to have built some momentum after sweeping a home-and-home series with the Edmonton Oilers last week, but they quickly undid any good to come out of that by losing here at home to the San Jose Sharks Monday. The Canucks have continued their annoying habit of last year by playing to the level of their competition, and Henrik Sedin admitted after the loss Monday that the team “didn’t work hard enough,” which you never want to hear a player say publicly.

Now granted, the Kings are probably the worst road team in the league. However, this is one site where they have actually held their own, going 2-2 in their last four trips to Vancouver. They blew an early 2-0 lead in a 4-3 loss at Calgary last night, but if they get off to another quick start tonight, we like their chances vs. a Canucks team that has not played all that well coming from behind in recent years.

This play all comes down to value, and the Kings are certainly worth a pop in the +200 range.

Free Pick: Kings +200

[Willie Bee]

Carolina Hurricanes and Pittsburgh Penguins Over 6½

Game Time: 10/19/2007 07:35 PM -
By: Vernon Croy | 10starpicks.com

The frequency of goals tonight in Pittsburgh should keep the lamps glowing. Play the Over at Mellon Arena Friday when the Penguins host the Carolina Hurricanes.

There should be lots of goals here tonight with both teams averaging 3.7 goals per game this season.

Both Carolina and Pittsburgh are very good on the power play with the Hurricanes converting 33.3% on the road and the Penguins converting 33.3% of the time at home so far this season. The Penguins have struggled defensively allowing an average of four goals against this season, and the O/U is 16-3 for the Hurricanes when playing with three or more days rest the last three seasons.

Grab the Over 6½ Friday night in what should be a real barn burner.

Free Pick: Hurricanes-Penguins Over 6½ (+104)

[Willie Bee]

Cash Colorado Avalanche (-120) at Chicago Blackhawks

Game Time: 10/19/2007 08:35 PM -
By: Jimmy the Moose | sportspic.com

In their last eight visits to the Windy City, the Avalanche have come out on top six times. Cash in on Colorado tonight when they travel to face the Chicago Blackhawks.

Colorado is off to a 4-2 start this season and the Avalanche are 19-7 in their last 26 games overall. Although they are 0-2 this season on the road, the Avs are 10-4 in their last 14 road games. In their last 12 games vs. Western Conference teams, Colorado is 9-3.

At 3-3, Chicago is already playing a lot better than most expected. However, the Blackhawks are 20-57-4 in their last 81 games vs. Northwest opponents. Chicago is 4-11-1 in the last 16 meetings between these two teams. Colorado has won six of their last eight visits to Chicago. Play on the Avalanche.

Free Pick: Avalanche -120