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The Leafs goalie Jonathan Bernier stood on his head last night, which didn't help our OVER in a 3-1 final with the Leafs winning. Kyle has his first pick of the year tonight, and I've got two plays myself.
Kevin's Pick(s):
2 UNIT = New Jersey Devils @ Pittsburgh Penguins - DEVILS TO WIN (+165)
(Note: I'm risking 2.00 units to win 3.30 units)
Pittsburgh was the best team in the East last year during the regular season with 72 points (9 ahead of the next team), while the Devils missed the playoffs the year after making it to the Cup Finals. It doesn't surprise me that the Penguins are big favorites, and I'm sure a big % of plays are going to be coming in on Pittsburgh. With that said, I like the price we're getting on the Devils as they should be a pretty solid team this year. Last season these two teams met 4 times, and the Devils won 3 of those 4 games including a 3-1 victory in Pittsburgh. New Jersey will start newly aqcuired goalie Cory Schneider in net, and I think he'll have a great season and take over the starting role from an aging Martin Brodeur this season. Schneider has looked great in preseason play going 4-0 with a brilliant .968 SV% (just 2 goals on 81 shots). On the other hand Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury had a .865 SV% during the preseason. I don't look to heavily into preseason play, but I could see Fleury have an off year this year with a loss of confidence after being the back up during their playoff run last year after posting a 3.52 GAA in the games he did play. At a big underdog price I'll take the Devils, as Schneider could easily steal one on the road.
2 UNIT = Calgary Flames @ Washington Capitals - OVER 5.5 GOALS (+100)
(Note: I'm risking 2.00 units to win 2.00 units)
The Capitals head home for their home opener after a 6-4 loss in Chicago. The Caps looked solid offensively at times during that game, getting 4 goals past Corey Crawford, but they also had their struggles defensively allowing 34 shots against. Caps goalie Braden Holtby struggled letting in 5 goals including a weak one that really hurt Washington's chances of stealing a road game to open the year. This will be the Flames season opener, and they will be starting Finish goalie Karri Ramo. Ramo had great numbres in the KHL the past four season, but in his time in the NHL and American Hockey League (AHL) he never had a GAA under 3.00. He had an average presseason with a .897 SV%. Playing behind a team that let in 160 goals over 48 games last year (tied for last in the entire NHL) Ramo might have a tough time. Calgary did fine last year offensively averaging 2.67 goals per game (12th), while the Caps were 5th in the NHL averaging 3.04 gpg. Note the Caps gave up 2.71 gapg (18th) last year. Take the OVER.
Kyle's Pick(s):
2 UNIT = Calgary Flames @ Washington Capitals - Capitals -1.5 (+150)
(Note: I'm risking 2.00 units to win 3.00 units)
The Washington Capitals appeared to be on their way to spoiling the party in Chicago on Tuesday night. However, the Blackhawks rallied from 4-3 down to capture a 6-4 victory. The Capitals struggled mightily scoring goals early in the shortened NHL campaign last season, but quickly turned it around to finish in the top-5 for goals scored per game in the league. The team goes and falls with how Alexander Ovechkin performs, and they only turned it around after Ovechkin got things rolling last year. I expected the Capitals to keep the momentum going into this season offensively, and it appears they have, scoring 4 goals in their opener. Newcomer Mikhail Grabovski got off to a fast start with his new team, scoring 2 goals back-to-back. Ovechkin also chipped in with a goal. They couldn't hold the reigning Stanley Cup champs down though, allowing 5 goals on 34 shots. Goalie Braden Holtby should find life easier tonight against a Flames team that is in full rebuilding mode. Inexperience and young are two words to sum them up. The loss of Miikka Kiprusoff and Jerome Iginla will come full center this season, as they should struggle to make the playoffs for a fifth straight season. The Flames will start the 27-yard-old Finn, Karri Ramos, who hasn't been on an NHL roster since 2008-2009 with the Lightning. I expect the Capitals to make quick work of Ramos Thursday night en route to a comfortable win in their home opener.
Two teams coming off upset wins as home underdogs clash Thursday when the Bills and Browns meet for the sixth time in seven years. Cleveland is 3-2 (SU and ATS) in this series since 2007, but Buffalo won the past two meetings, including a 24-14 victory last year propelled by Tashard Choice's 91 rushing yards in relief of injured RBs C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson. Both Spiller (ankle) and Jackson (knee) are hurt again, but both are expected to play. The Browns are 2-0 (SU and ATS) with 373 total YPG with QB Brian Hoyer starting, while the defense is holding opponents to 4.3 yards per play and 79 rushing YPG this season.
FORECASTER: Buffalo 19, Cleveland 19
Game: Florida at Dallas (8:30 PM Eastern)
Pick: Florida +152 (moneyline) at 5Dimes
The Florida Panthers and Dallas Stars both look to improve upon very poor showings from a year ago. The only way to go for each is up, after both finished last in their respective divisions a year ago. There have been a lot of changes made to both rosters in an effort to find more opportunities to win. I am not sure if this line for game one of the season represents where it should be as each are going to need time to gel. The Panthers addressed their most glaring issue after allowing 3.54 goals per game a year ago by signing Tim Thomas. He should definitely be an improvement over a year ago - an improvement that can show itself in game one. Dallas closed last season with five straight losses, and Florida has had a lot of success in Dallas where they are 5-1 in their last six here. Play on Florida.
Seabass Report for Thursday:
200 Buffalo
200 OVER UCLA
100 UNDER Buffalo
100 Utah
100 Western Kentucky
100 UNDER Western Kentucky
50 Iowa State
50 Dodgers-game
50 Doegers-series
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