NHL • oddPicks

Snarks On Ice: The NHL Roundup

Penguins 1, Red Wings 3
In the penalty box: Detroit Lions president Matt Millen, for being a putz and for drawing boos even at hockey and basketball games. Good thing the Tigers are inactive for the winter or the former FOX broadcaster would be getting it from fans of all four franchises.

Mighty Ducks 2, Maple Leafs 3
In the penalty box: monkeys that won’t get off your back, for not getting off your back. As predicted, Ed Belfour, cursed in his attempt to surpass Terry Sawchuk in career victories, sits out a game and Toronto wins.

Senators 6, Avalanche 2
In the penalty box: third period meltdowns, like the one Colorado suffered allowing Ottawa to score four unanswered goals.

On Tap Tonight
Wild (11-14-4) at Islanders (15-12-2) 7:00 PM EST
Canucks (18-9-2) at Rangers (20-8-4) 7:00 PM EST
Blackhawks (12-14-2) at Hurricanes (18-9-2) 7:00 PM EST
Red Wings (21-8-2) at Thrashers (11-16-4) 7:00 PM EST
Predators (18-6-3) at Panthers (9-18-4) 7:00 PM EST
Flyers (17-7-4) at Blue Jackets (9-20-0) 7:00 PM EST
Coyotes (16-12-2) at Canadiens (15-8-5) 7:30 PM EST
Oilers (16-11-3) at Devils (13-12-4) 7:30 PM EST
Penguins (8-16-6) at Blues (5-17-4) 8:00 PM EST

oddJoe’s hockey picks
The Rangers, second best in the Eastern Conference point standings, had a bit of tough time Saturday on the road against the dreadful St. Louis Blues, needing overtime to score a 5-4 win. New York returns to the happy confines of the Garden where they’ve won five in a row to host the Canucks. Certainly not the best road team in the league, Vancouver was good enough to beat the Sens 3-2 at home on Friday as they try to catch Calgary at the top of the Northwest Division. I know I should go with the favorite in this game, but I am strangely drawn to the Canucks despite the talk of inner turmoil in the Vancouver locker room. Best line: Vancouver +115 at Oasis.

Wayne Gretzky, The Great One, I think you’ve heard of him. It has never made a lot of sense to me why he ever got involved with the Phoenix franchise. Is it because they used to be the Winnipeg Jets? Maybe he has designs to build up the franchise then move it back to Canada. Whatever the reason, co-owner and coach Gretzky brings his suddenly red-hot Coyotes to Montreal to face the Canadiens, who have lost five out of their last six. Wingers Ladislav Nagy and Mike Johnson have been on fire for the Pups lately, with Nagy scoring nine with 13 assists in his last 13 games and Johnson finding the net five times in the last six games. Goal tender Curtis Joseph has 14 wins so far this year, allowing just 2.25 goals against. Best line: Phoenix +110 at Oasis.

Now if you think those dogs are interesting picks, just read on. My interest is actually piqued by the Florida Panthers against Nashville. Yes, the 9-18-4 Panthers who have been locked in a caged death match with Washington for the past month over who will occupy the basement of the Southeast Division. Yes, the Panthers who are 3-7 in their last ten and looking to snap a four-game losing streak. But Nashville is no honey pot full of honey, either. The Preds are 6-4 over their last 10 and have a road record of 5-3-3. They’ve lost two straight and are plagued with injuries and penalty problems. Florida has won three of their last five home games and have a chance to somewhat redeem themselves, perhaps even turn things around. Best line: Florida +115 at BetCRIS.

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