NHL • oddPicks

Snarks On Ice: The NHL Roundup For Dec. 21

Stars 5, Blue Jackets 3
In the penalty box: Columbus winger Rick Nash, selected yesterday to Team Canada, for his astute observation after his team allowed three unanswered goals in the final 20 minutes, “We didn’t show up in the third period.”

Devils 2, Islanders 4
In the penalty box: New Jersey goal tender and Canadian Olympian Martin Brodeur, for his scholarly analysis upon losing to a division rival, “Who knows, those points might determine a playoff spot.”

Predators 6, Blackhawks 1
In the penalty box: Chicago coach Trent Yawney, for claiming that he didn’t pull goalie Nikolai Khabibulin out of the game because of poor play or for allowing four shots into the net through one and a half periods. “It wasn’t indicative of the way he was playing. That’s not why I pulled him,” Yawney said. “I felt that maybe we needed something different.”

Kings 5, Flames 2
In the penalty box: Calgary coach Darryl Sutter, for observing after his team went scoreless for the final two periods gave up four goals in the final, “There is a focus or purpose issue with some of our top players right now and its affecting our ability to play 60 minutes.”

Oilers 7, Canucks 6
In the penalty box: Vancouver coach Marc Crawford, for noting quite accurately, “We were all guilty of not playing a strong game on the defensive side of the puck.”

Blues 3, Mighty Ducks 6
In the penalty box: St. Louis center Doug Weight, for his assessment that when your team has the worst record in the league, “No one feels bad for you. No one cares, really.”

On Tap Tonight
Maple Leafs (17-13-3) at Bruins (11-16-6) 7:00 PM EST
Lightning (18-13-3) at Rangers (20-11-4) 7:00 PM EST
Senators (23-5-3) at Flyers (19-8-5) 7:00 PM EST
Capitals (10-19-2) at Thrashers (14-16-4) 7:00 PM EST
Sabres (23-10-1) at Panthers (12-19-4) 7:00 PM EST
Wild (14-15-4) at Avalanche (17-14-3) 9:00 PM EST
Sharks (15-13-4) at Coyotes (16-16-2) 9:00 PM EST

oddJoe’s hockey picks
I’m generally not a fan of any team that plays south of the snow line. It’s just a rule I have. I think Gary Bettman’s expansion into place such as Phoenix, Dallas, and Florida has done more harm to the league than any perceived good. That said (and I’ll get down off my soapbox), I have a good feeling about the Lightning tonight because they are playing the Rangers, and I have a bad feeling about the Rangers. New York seems to be in a funk. They’ve scored a total of four goals in three straight losses, fell to a New Jersey team that had run off its coach, and before all that they nearly lost to St. Louis. Everyone was surprised to see the Rangers come out playing so strong, I’m starting to wonder if it was all just a mirage. Best line: Tampa Bay +110 at Oasis

Toronto got the monkey off its back when Ed Belfour finally got his 448th victory Monday night. Of course, they gave up six goals in the win over the Islanders, but that shouldn’t be a problem tonight against the Bruins. Boston has scored a total of seven points while losing four of their last five games. Best line: Toronto -115 at 5 Dimes

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