Tommy Gold NHL 2009/2010 - Picks Tracking

[TommyGold]

Philadelphia Flyers @ New York Islanders

As we all know, Philadelphia and New York are not for away from each other. So, this can be a hostile arena today, with many supporters from both teams. This can push the teams on the field to play a crazy and quick game, opening lots of spaces and with a lot of goals.

The Islanders after struggling in the first games, have been quite strong at home, scoring 3 goals per game. In their last month, they are scoring much more than that, showing their improvements at offense, with their young roster making the difference. This team was the worst last year and for that, they picked the first pick on the draft, John Tavares, who is tied with Moulson for points.

This team, maybe because of their youth, took some time to start their engines. But since they understanded what they needed to do, this team has been quite good, playing a great game and scoring a lot of goals even against great teams.

The Flyers are one of the best offensive teams. As I told you 2 days ago, this team is all for goals. The reason why I say this is because they are the top offensive team in goals scored, but haven't any player on the top scorers ranking. Everyone helps the team in that part even if his job is to defend, as Pronger. Playing on the road is not something that scares them, they still have this offensive power on the road, scoring 3 goals per game.

The environment will probably be hot, making this an interesting match up. Philadelphia will not avoid the opportunity to score their goals and I can't see the Islanders letting the Flyers take off. They have to keep this game close and they can keep it close and fight for the victory.

Excited by the public, both teams will explore as much as they can the adversary nets. This will probable be a fast game, with lots of shots, and will not be a game for a goaltender to get a good performance.


Pick: Over 5.5 -120 (1.83) Bookmaker, -133 (1.75) Goalwin

[TommyGold]

Toronto Maple Leafs @ Tampa Bay Lightning

This match has a great spot. There are few things to mention to support this play as this game has an incredible value on the home team. Tampa Bay is 4-0 on regular time at home. And their 4 losses in OT were against teams that were with the "momentum" on their side and even then, it was an expensive buy to them.

Why should I refer this? Because as I'm coming to say from the beginning of the season, Tampa Bay is a home team.

They are giving great shows at home, with lots of good plays and goals. Their arena has a great number of supporters, and that's all basically due to their stars.

They have 2 of the most talented offensive players: St Louis and Lecavalier. But the Lightning roster doesn't stops there, because there are other great names to mention. Most of them are on the offense and that make this team a strong offensive team. Their best players always do good performances at home and they just love to play home.

Toronto has been one of the worst teams on entire league. They only had their first win in the eight game. And then, they lost another 4 in a row. The team has been struggling hard, however is important to remember that this is one of the most solid teams in administrative aspects.

They got a win 2 games ago, their fourth, and it doesn't seem likely that we will see another so soon. The Maple Leafs has not been solid is any game aspects. Sometimes they play with a good defense, other times with a good offense. But they are not reliable.

This game seems to be easy for Tampa Bay. They're one of the best teams playing at home and they've players who just love to play at home. Scoring is something easy for them, specially against power defenses. Toronto has allowed almost 4 goals per game at the road. After they lost in OT at home to Tampa Bay, when they had done a great game, I can't find any edge for Toronto today.

If they play at home and well, Tampa Bay only needs the 2 chances they've got to win the game. At home, where Tampa Bay will dominate and create a lot of opportunities, it will not be for Toronto the best game to avoid a solid defeat.


Pick: Tampa Bay Lightning PL -1.5 +225 (3.25) 5Dimes, +195 (2.95) Goalwin

[TommyGold]

2009.11.25 results:

Philadelphia Flyers @ New York Islanders: Over 5.5 -120 (1.83) Bookmaker (1-2: LOSS)
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Tampa Bay Lightning: Tampa Bay Lightning PL -1.5 +225 (3.25) 5Dimes (3-4: LOSS)
Buffalo Sabres @ Washington Capitals: Washington Capitals 3Way (1X2) +125 (2.25) Bookmaker (2-0: WIN)
Ottawa Senators @ New Jersey Devils: New Jersey Devils 3Way (1X2) +115 (2.15) (3-1: WIN)
New York Rangers @ Florida Panthers: Florida Panthers ML +100 (2.00) 5Dimes (1-2 SO: LOSS)
Boston Bruins @ Minnesota Wild: Boston Bruins 3Way (1X2) +130 (2.30) Bookmaker (1-2 SO: LOSS)
Nashville Predators @ Colorado Avalanche: Over 5.5 +115 (2.15) 5Dimes (3-4 OT: WIN)
Chicago Blackhawks @ San Jose Sharks: San Jose Sharks 3Way (1X2) +120 (2.20) Bookmaker (2-7: LOSS)

2009.11.25 finished with a 3-5 and -1.45 units lost/8 unit risked.
NHL 2009-2010 season record: 39-68 (-17.23 units lost/108 units risked)


2009.11.26, 2 picks:

Columbus Blue Jackets @ Ottawa Senators

This will be a match up where the home team will do its straight 6th game at home and they'll host one team that will do their 5th road game in a row.

That spawn of time from both teams show us clearly which are their weak and strong spots. Columbus are allowing 4.14 goals per game during the season at the road. In their last 3 games, they allowed 6.33 goals per game. This is their handicap, they've got a poor defense, where they revealed some strength last year.

So far, this handicap has cost them many wins and they'll probably still struggle on the defense.

Ottawa in their last home games scored 3.80 goals per game and conceded only 2.20 goals per game. They also started this home games series with a loss, scoring only 1 goal and scratching their record for this home games streak. But since then, they've got 4 wins, including a blowout win against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

For this game, my angle is simple. Both teams will do their last game as a host (Ottawa) and as a visitor (Columbus). Being clear that the Senators are going through a good moment and have their best players on the offensive line, they can benefit from the fact that the Blue Jackets are having poor performances from their goaltenders and the same can be said for the rest of the players in this road trip as well.

Columbus is already with their mind on the next game, just hoping that this road trip comes to an end as soon as possible, to correct and improve their game at home.


Pick: Ottawa Senators 3Way (1X2) +130 (2.30) Bookmaker, Goalwin



Los Angeles Kings @ Vancouver Canucks

I confess that I didn't expect this line at 5.5 goals. It seems very unlikely that this game is going to have more than 4 goals. Even counting that is normal and frequent to have a late goal, even 5 goals could be a great line and that was the line I expected. But this added 0.5 give us a lot of extra value.

And why is that? Let's combine the LA Kings offense with the Vancouver Canucks defense. Kings at the road, usually scores 2 or less goals. Once in a while they score more goals than usual and that gives them 2.28 goals scored on road. But the Vancouver defense is on fire at home, playing very solid and allowing only 1.82 goals per game.

If we reverse the kind of match up, the Los Angeles Kings are also conceding a low number of goals on the road: 2.82 goals per game. The Canucks, scoring a 3.27 goals per game, have here an edge, but is not enough to give us value to bet on the canadian team.

So, on this game there isn't much more to say. The LA Kings started well the season, and then fell from the top places. The team were in a place that wasn't corresponding to the team's true talent. It will be a surprise to see the californian team fight for this game, as they are without confidence right now.

The Canucks wouldn't surprise if they could get empty nets, it will not be new for them. After a weak start they found their path and today they have to be careful, as they lost 1-0 last game at home. They have to play at their pace and make sure that they can manage the game on their will.

Also curious is the fact that in the last 6 games between these 2 teams, only once they scored more than 5 games and that score had exactly 6 goals. Take the under in this game.


Pick: Under 5.5 -115 (1.87) The Greek, -118 (1.85) Goalwin

[TommyGold]

2009.11.26 results:

Columbus Blue Jackets @ Ottawa Senators: Ottawa Senators 3Way (1X2) +130 (2.30) Bookmaker (2-1: WIN)
Los Angeles Kings @ Vancouver Canucks: Under 5.5 -115 (1.87) The Greek (4-1: WIN)

2009.11.26 finished with a 2-0 and +2.17 units won/2 unit risked.
NHL 2009-2010 season record: 41-68 (-15.06 units lost/110 units risked)

I told on my writeup for the Under that a late goal was normal on the league, but I wasn't expecting such a late goal. ;)


2009.11.27, 5 picks:

New Jersey Devils @ Boston Bruins: Over 5 -110 (1.91) Bookmaker

Buffalo Sabres @ Philadelphia Flyers: Philadelphia Flyers 3Way (1X2) +125 (2.25) Bookmaker, +120 (2.20) Goalwin

Chicago Blackhawks @ Anaheim Ducks: Anaheim Ducks ML +125 (2.25) Bookmaker

Atlanta Thrashers @ Carolina Hurricanes: Atlanta Thrashers ML -115 (1.87) Bookmaker

New York Rangers @ Tampa Bay Lightning: Tampa Bay Lightning 3Way (1X2) +130 (2.30) Bookmaker, +140 (2.40) Goalwin




Buffalo Sabres @ Philadelphia Flyers

This game will be played at the afternoon and a lot of people will take the day off to be on the stands supporting the home team. The typical game day on Philadelphia and the Flyers will take advantage of the fact that they will a lot of home supporters rooting for them. We can expect a terrific environment on this game, thanks to the home crowd.

The Sabres are not a reliable team. They can give their best today and their worst tomorrow. It's a team that try hard or just quit the game. At the beginning of the season, they looked great with an 8-2 record. They gave all they got and tried hard.

But then the path was a 4-7 record, being important to mention that they stopped that blowout/easy wins where they showed a complete control of the game. Despite that, Ryan Miller (the goaltender) still shows great performances, but his effort has been untapped by the offense line, who are with a lack of production. Scoring 1.80 goals per game in the last 5 games is a poor production. Even on the road, hitting the nets has been so far a tough job.

The Flyers are a team that i usually write about. Their game is one of the more fascinating in the league. They try to make every single game a great game, giving a show, showing great plays and how should a player be supported by a team player. The work they do every game, trying to help each other on the arena, covering the gaps, is just extraordinary. This fact is easily seen when we see the Flyers in 3rd place on the best offensive teams ranking, and none of their players is in the Top 20 of the best scorers ranking.

They are coming from another bad streak, with a 3 straight losses, but they are showing this season a great management of bad streaks, and are now coming from a loss, after those 3 losses. When they rehab their game, they usually made it well, showing their improvements during more than one game. I hope that this rehab can be translated on an improvement on their offense as well, where they are scoring 2.6 goals per game on the last 5 games, when their season average is around 3.7 goals per game.

So, this game will be once more a festivity on Philadelphia. The team will do the best they know: play it well. The supporters believe that they will watch a great game and leave happy. Flyers are 4-1 in their last 5 games and have besides a full house, a revenge to accomplish. Their last home defeat was against Buffalo and that's reason enough to beat the Sabres without mercy.

Buffalo on the other hand, are passing their worst period on this season, with 4 losses on a road. Their game which has been a supported and a cohesive game (when they play well), is not the kind of game that can shake or cause trouble to the Flyers, as they are very good on that side as well. Today, they will not be able to cope with the avalanche of attacks that Philadelphia will make and Miller will not be their saviour for ever.


Pick: Philadelphia Flyers 3Way (1X2) +125 (2.25) Bookmaker, +120 (2.20) Goalwin



New York Rangers @ Tampa Bay Lightning

This game on the east coast will have great talents on display. Gaborik vs Lecavalier for example. However, it will probably be a one way game only. This teams are showing that they haven't changed much from last season.

Rangers were hot at the start of the season, with 7 straight wins in the 8 first games. Since that, they have only achieved a few wins, and occasionally.

Their main problem is that they depend too much on Gaborik's talent. It's true that he can decide a game alone, he is returning to his best form after a injury season in Minnesota.

But this can't be Rangers' kind of game, even with Gaborik scoring unbelievable goals the team is getting to few wins.Their displays have been awful, showing poor skills on their game. Gaborik being the only decent player out of their incredibly lousy performances, is not enough to keep them on the wins path. They need to improve a lot, they need to start scoring goals without waiting for Gaborik, and keep a good defense in every game, and not just when they remember to do so.

Tampa Bay in other hand is coming from 2 home losses, something unnatural for them. The last defeat was in regular time and it was the first of the season at home in regular time. But who can see here a letdown spot?! I don't understand why the majority of the public is against Tampa Bay on this game. There isn't a letdown spot here. They face losses very well and they can handle blowout losses as well.

Just remember that little road trip some weeks ago, that they were outscored in those 2 games, allowing 11 goals and scored only 2? After that two matches, they played at home against true contenders, San Jose, and had an easy win by 5-2. This could be a letdown spot as well, even with that bad game being on the road, but they were facing a strong team.

This ability to handle losses is mainly due to the fact they've got players that can solve games by themselves. And if one player can solve one game, two players can solve 2... And they've got more than one player to solve this game, players that can get great performances, just if they want to do so.

Hence, for this game I expect Tampa Bay to solve this game quickly. They''ve the talent and are very strong at home, where they can score lots of goals. 3 straight losses at home, it's something that the team can't afford to do, as they are a typical home team that depends too much on the points that they can get at home.

The Rangers will to this game with 2 games won in a row, however this team is a weak minded team, and they can't take the benefits and the strength they should from it. Their game is showing no signs of improvement, and Gaborik cannot save them much longer. The game against Columbus is not reliable to dissect the Rangers, as they won mostly by demerit of the Blue Jackets. Considering all this, taking Tampa Bay seems to be the best play and I believe that they could win this game easily.


Pick: Tampa Bay Lightning 3Way (1X2) +130 (2.30) Bookmaker, +140 (2.40) Goalwin

[TommyGold]

2009.11.27 results:

New Jersey Devils @ Boston Bruins: Over 5 -110 (1.91) Bookmaker (1-2 OT: LOSS)
Buffalo Sabres @ Philadelphia Flyers: Philadelphia Flyers 3Way (1X2) +125 (2.25) Bookmaker, +120 (2.20) Goalwin (2-4: LOSS)
Chicago Blackhawks @ Anaheim Ducks: Anaheim Ducks ML +125 (2.25) Bookmaker (3-0: WIN)
Atlanta Thrashers @ Carolina Hurricanes: Atlanta Thrashers ML -115 (1.87) Bookmaker (4-6: WIN)
New York Rangers @ Tampa Bay Lightning: Tampa Bay Lightning 3Way (1X2) +130 (2.30) Bookmaker, +140 (2.40) Goalwin (5-1: WIN)

2009.11.27 finished with a 3-2 and +1.42 units won/5 units risked.
NHL 2009-2010 season record: 44-70 (-13.64 units lost/115 units risked)


2009.11.28, first pick:

New York Islanders @ New Jersey Devils: New Jersey Devils 3Way (1X2) -115 (1.87) Bookmaker, -111 (1.90) Goalwin

[TommyGold]

2009.11.27 results recap:

Xavier vs Creighton: Xavier -6 -110 (1.91) Bookmaker (80-67: WIN)
Clemson vs Long Beach State: Clemson -13 -110 (1.91) Bookmaker (79-87: LOSS)
Connecticut vs Duke: Duke -3.5 -110 (1.91) Bookmaker (68-59: WIN)
Siena vs St.John's: Siena -4 -110 (1.91) Bookmaker (77-68: LOSS)
Colombia @ Syracuse: Syracuse -27.5 -110 (1.91) Bookmaker (85-60: LOSS)
Florida vs Michigan State: Michigan State -4.5 -110 (1.91) The Greek (74-77: LOSS)
Northwestern vs Notre Dame: Notre Dame -7 -110 (1.91) Bookmaker (58-72: LOSS)
Southeast Missouri State vs St. Bonaventure: St. Bonaventure -15 -110 (1.91) Bookmaker (67-44: WIN)

2009.11.25 finished with a 3-5 and -2.27 units lost/8 units risked.
Point spreads and Totals NCAAB 2009-2010 season record: 50-54-1 (-10.73 units lost/112 units risked)


The ML NCAAB 2009-2010 season record is now 5-10-1 and is down -3.77 units/15 units risked.


2009.11.28 first 8 picks:

North Carolina @ Iowa: North Carolina Central +23.5 -110 (1.91) The Greek

Wichita State @ Cleveland State: Cleveland State -1.5 -110 (1.91) Bookmaker

Detroit @ Depaul: Depaul -6 -110 (1.91) The Greek

Wisc-Milwaukee @ Bowling Green: Bowling Green ML +115 (2.15) Bet Jamaica

Wright State @ Northeastern: Wright State +4.5 -110 (1.91) Bookmaker

Wright State @ Northeastern: Wright State ML +160 (2.60) Bookmaker

Valparaiso @ Troy: Troy -1.5 -110 (1.91) Bookmaker

Northwestern State @ Indiana: Indiana -14 -110 (1.91) Bookmaker

[TommyGold]

The Devils are winning 5-1... :O


2009.11.28, final 6 picks:

Philadelphia Flyers @ Atlanta Thrashers: Atlanta Thrashers -105 (1.95) 5Dimes

Washington Capitals @ Montreal Canadiens: Over 5.5 -110 (1.91) Bookmaker

Ottawa Senators @ Boston Bruins: Boston Bruins 3Way (1X2) +120 (2.20) Bookmaker, +120 (2.20) Goalwin

New York Rangers @ Pittsburgh Penguins: Pittsburgh Penguins PL -1.5 +160 (2.60) Bookmaker

Florida Panthers @ Nashville Predators: Over 5 -135 (1.74) Bookmaker, Over 5.5 +110 (2.10) Goalwin

Detroit Red Wings @ St. Louis Blues: Over 5.5 +115 (2.15) The Greek

[TommyGold]

2009.11.28 results:

New York Islanders @ New Jersey Devils: New Jersey Devils 3Way (1X2) -115 (1.87) Bookmaker (6-1: WIN)
Philadelphia Flyers @ Atlanta Thrashers: Atlanta Thrashers ML -105 (1.95) 5Dimes (1-0: WIN)
Washington Capitals @ Montreal Canadiens: Over 5.5 -110 (1.91) Bookmaker (3-4 SO: WIN)
Ottawa Senators @ Boston Bruins: Boston Bruins 3Way (1X2) +120 (2.20) Bookmaker (4-3 SO: LOSS)
New York Rangers @ Pittsburgh Penguins: Pittsburgh Penguins PL -1.5 +160 (2.60) Bookmaker (8-3: WIN)
Florida Panthers @ Nashville Predators: Over 5 -135 (1.74) Bookmaker (4-1: PUSH/VOID)
Detroit Red Wings @ St. Louis Blues: Over 5.5 +115 (2.15) The Greek (3-4 SO: WIN)

2009.11.28 finished with a 5-1-1 and +4.48 units won/6 units risked.
NHL 2009-2010 season record: 49-71 (-9.16 units lost/121 units risked)

A 20 seconds late goal on OTT @ BOS ruined our prospects of a 6-0-1 Sweep... :(


2009.11.29, 2 picks:

Phoenix Coyotes @ Anaheim Ducks: Anaheim Ducks 3Way (1X2) +100 (2.00) Bookmaker, Goalwin

San Jose Sharks @ Vancouver Canucks: San Jose Sharks ML -115 (1.87) Bookmaker

[TommyGold]

2009.11.29 results:

Phoenix Coyotes @ Anaheim Ducks: Anaheim Ducks 3Way (1X2) +100 (2.00) Bookmaker (2-3 OT: LOSS)
San Jose Sharks @ Vancouver Canucks: San Jose Sharks ML -115 (1.87) Bookmaker (2-4: WIN)

2009.11.28 finished with a 1-1 and -0.13 units lost/2 units risked.
NHL 2009-2010 season record: 50-73-1 (-9.29 units lost/123 units risked)

NHL last week won 18-11-1 and won +9.31 units in 29 risked units.



2009.11.30, 5 picks:

Washington Capitals @ Carolina Hurricanes: Washington Capitals PL -1.5 +195 (2.95) Bookmaker

Florida Panthers @ Atlanta Thrashers: Atlanta Thrashers 3Way (1X2) +100 (2.00) Bookmaker, +105 (2.05) Goalwin

Buffalo Sabres @ Toronto Maple Leafs: Toronto Maple Leafs ML -105 (1.95) 5Dimes, Goalwin

Pittsburgh Penguins @ New York Rangers: Pittsburgh Penguins 3Way (1X2) +130 (2.30) Bookmaker, Goalwin

Colorado Avalanche @ Tampa Bay Lightning: Tampa Bay Lightning 3Way (1X2) +120 (2.20) Bookmaker, Goalwin

PIT ML -115 is also a good play. On Goalwin, you can get Toronto Maple Leafs 3Way (1X2) +160 (2.60) against Bookmaker's +135 (2.35), if you're fond of risking 3ways.

[TommyGold]

2009.11.30, final 2 picks:

Washington Capitals @ Carolina Hurricanes: Under 6 -105 (1.95) Bookmaker

Pittsburgh Penguins @ New York Rangers: Over 5.5 -120 (1.83) Bookmaker





Pittsburgh Penguins @ New York Rangers

It couldn't be easier to explain the value on this one. Two days ago, the Rangers went to Pittsburgh. What happened? Blow out loss for the Ranger with a 8-3 result. Could it be a better training for the Penguins? Probably not, they scored a lot, they made a great game and are ready to face the Rangers on the road, knowing how they can score.

The Rangers are facing problems. It seems like last year, a team with value and expectations throwing all away. Talent isn't enough to win games and there is no group of supporters that understand this so well as the Rangers fans

In their last game, they won 7-4 against Columbus, another great exhibition for Gaborik, but they can't live for ever this way. Their win had few important things to mention, Columbus had an awful night and Gaborik can still make the difference. However, we can't expect that the Rangers will still be able to improve at home. They had a great moment when the season started, but since then the only way they know is the way down. This team needs to improve their mental condition, just round up all the players and go to the psychotherapist.

Pittsburgh after a bad moment when they faced injury problems, hitting key players and almost half of the team, are again on the right road. Their ability his enormous, with Crosby and Malkin leading their offensive line. After they improved their performance after the return of the recovered players, it's now time to improve their road games, which has been weak in recent games and shouldn't be, as they aspire to win Stanley Cup, and as true contenders they should have the ability to win games in any place.

Scoring his not a problem for the Penguins. Their defense seems to have improved since they had all their defense players available again. It's now time to prove it, against a team that only know how to beat the minnows, with problems concerning their attitude. The last game for these teams was a match up between both teams, but in Pittsburgh instead of New York. 8-3 was the result for the home team and it was a great training session for the Penguins, that had those 60 minutes to improve their skills to beat the Rangers. Even with Lundqvist on the nets it's hard to see the victory escaping the Penguins.


Picks: Pittsburgh Penguins @ New York Rangers: Pittsburgh Penguins 3Way (1X2) +130 (2.30) Bookmaker, Goalwin and Over 5.5 -120 (1.83) Bookmaker

[TommyGold]

Colorado Avalanche @ Tampa Bay Lightning

For this match up, we can easily say that a team with a letdown spot after a great start of the season, will face another team that makes their home games, their winning games, creating difficulties for those who want to leave their arena with the points.

Colorado is struggling and facing a letdown spot. In their last 10 games, they are 2-8 and none of their wins was easy to achieve. It's a big contrast with their record at the beginning of the season, 11-5. Perhaps the key for those games was Andersen, their goaltender. But his best performances were not so regular as before and looking for his last game, with a 0.944% on saves, it appears to be unlikely for him to maintain his form.

In his last games, after a game where he saved 0.9% or more, he usually struggles with his worst performances. On the offense, the Avalanche are scoring 2.60 goals per game on the road, however they are having peaks in their last games which creates cheating deviations on the stats. They are having several games with only 2 goals scored, 3 at most.

Tampa Bay is a home based team. Their season depends on it as they are much stronger at home than on road. At home they can beat anyone, on the road they struggle to win, even against the worst team. The Lightning had 2 straight losses at home and their loss against Toronto in their last but one home game, was the first home loss in regular time. After that, they gave a blow out win to Rangers and showed that they can be recommended as a team to follow when playing at home, because their home advantage his huge, and scoring only 3 goals at home can be considered a bad day.

Due to their great offensive players with a innate talent to score, this team has great ease to score at home. At home, this punch of great and talented offensive players can transcend everyone expectations and unfortunately this only happens at home, proving the theory of "home-based team". In their last 3 home games, 2 losses to the Lightning's record can only add wins in the next games.

Colorado shouldn't be a team to fear and they won't be hard on Tampa Bay, whose offense will create enough plays to score easily. Take Tampa Bay on regular time.


Pick: Tampa Bay Lightning 3Way (1X2) +120 (2.20) Bookmaker, Goalwin

[TommyGold]

2009.11.30 results:

Washington Capitals @ Carolina Hurricanes: Washington Capitals PL -1.5 +195 (2.95) Bookmaker (2-3: LOSS)
Florida Panthers @ Atlanta Thrashers: Atlanta Thrashers 3Way (1X2) +100 (2.00) Bookmaker (4-3: WIN)
Buffalo Sabres @ Toronto Maple Leafs: Toronto Maple Leafs ML -105 (1.95) 5Dimes (0-3: LOSS)
Pittsburgh Penguins @ New York Rangers: Pittsburgh Penguins 3Way (1X2) +130 (2.30) Bookmaker (2-5: WIN)
Colorado Avalanche @ Tampa Bay Lightning: Tampa Bay Lightning 3Way (1X2) +120 (2.20) Bookmaker (0-3: LOSS)
Washington Capitals @ Carolina Hurricanes: Under 6 -105 (1.95) Bookmaker (2-3: WIN)
Pittsburgh Penguins @ New York Rangers: Over 5.5 -120 (1.83) Bookmaker (2-5: WIN)

NHL 2009.11.30 finished with a 4-3 and +1.08 units won/7 units risked.
NHL 2009-2010 season record: 54-76-1 (-8.21 units lost/130 units risked)



NHL 2009.12.01, 4 picks:

Toronto Maple Leafs @ Montreal Canadiens: Under 6 -110 (1.91) Bookmaker

Columbus Blue Jackets @ Chicago Blackhawks: Chicago Blackhawks PL -1.5 +125 (2.25) Bookmaker

Ottawa Senators @ San Jose Sharks: San Jose Sharks PL -1.5 +160 (2.60) Bookmaker & Over 5.5 -105 (1.95) Bookmaker



Columbus Blue Jackets @ Chicago Blackhawks

For this match up, Chicago is a big favourite. This should be an easy win due to the fact that Columbus went down in their performances and Chicago pulled up their game.

Columbus after a great start of the season with a 5-1 record, are now 1-5 in L6. The team had a win in their last game, but it seems that isn't enough to get their confidence higher. After 2 home games, they will play this solo road game against one of the hottest teams in this moment. Being a back-to-back game, Columbus isn't fresh as they should be to fight for this game. Yesterday they fought hard to get their win against St. Louis and it wasn't an easy game despite the 5-2 end result.

Without time to rest they shouldn't be able to play their best game and they'll probably just try to leave Chicago without a blow out loss. In their last games, their weakest point has been their defense, allowing 3.80 goals per game.

Chicago started on their last home games a win streak. 8-0 was the result, when they were about to return home. But after 4 wins on the road, they went down in the last 2. Now, they're with 2 straight losses and it hasn't happened this season (yet) a 3 straight losses for this team. They play a great hockey, showing strong ability to score and have great talented players on their roster.

Their confidence despite the 2 losses is good because they know that they can do anything, play great and win over any team. Their defense has been quite good in their last games, allowing 1.60 goals per game. Their offense as done their part as well, scoring 3.23 goals per game at home.

So, the B2B effect will probably be felt by the Columbus players, they're in a letdown spot, and it will not be a win against a normal team to pull them up. Today, they will play against one of the most cohesive teams, who are playing a great game. It's hard to think that Chicago will let this win pass, as they also need it.


Pick: Chicago Blackhawks PL -1.5 +125 (2.25) Bookmaker

[TommyGold]

Ottawa Senators @ San Jose Sharks

The odds for this match up give us a great advantage for taking the Sharks. San Jose has all the edges on this game, in offense, defense, PK, PP and so on.

Therefore, this is not a sure game because in NHL anything can happen, however the odds aren't so low as I expect them to be.

Ottawa is a nice team that has a few talent players. Their main problem is that they are old and aren't reliable for many straight games. Right now, they're 5-2 with the 2 losses on road. So it seems that they're in a good moment and that's true, however that good moment won't last much longer.

In the start of the season that was visible. After a 5-2 winning record, they went to a losing 2-4 record. And so far, the 5-2 has been their best streak. At the beginning of the season, i believed that the achievement of that record was easy and now, the 5-2 streak is hard to get and even harder to improve.

San Jose, at least for me, is one of the biggest contenders to the Stanley Cup. Their game is solid and cohesive, they're great in both sides of the field, allowing 2.20 goals per game and scoring 3.30 goals per game. They had a loss on their last home game, but after that, they had 2 road games, and both of them were a winning game. Hence, it's not a question of when will they win their games, but when will they be with the right mode. Because stopping this team is something hard to do if San Jose wants to.

I expect some facilities for the Sharks, they are a good and solid team that needs to win this game. The Senators can't play at the same pace of the Sharks and at some point, Ottawa will not be able to maintain the scoreboard even.


Pick: Ottawa Senators @ San Jose Sharks: San Jose Sharks PL -1.5 +160 (2.60) Bookmaker & Over 5.5 -105 (1.95) Bookmaker

[TommyGold]

NHL 2009.12.01 results:

Toronto Maple Leafs @ Montreal Canadiens: Under 6 -110 (1.91) Bookmaker (0-3: WIN)
Columbus Blue Jackets @ Chicago Blackhawks: Chicago Blackhawks PL -1.5 +125 (2.25) Bookmaker (4-3 SO: LOSS)
Ottawa Senators @ San Jose Sharks: San Jose Sharks PL -1.5 +160 (2.60) Bookmaker (5-2: WIN)
Ottawa Senators @ San Jose Sharks: Over 5.5 -105 (1.95) Bookmaker (5-2: WIN)

NHL 2009.11.30 finished with a 3-1 and +2.46 units won/4 units risked.
NHL 2009-2010 season record: 57-77-1 (-5.75 units lost/134 units risked)

[TommyGold]

NHL 2009.12.02, final 3 picks:

Tampa Bay Lightning @ Boston Bruins: Boston Bruins PL -1.5 +165 (2.65) Bookmaker

Vancouver Canucks @ New Jersey Devils: New Jersey Devils 3Way (1X2) +145 (2.45) Bookmaker

Nashville Predators @ Minnesota Wild: Nashville Predators ML +105 (2.05) The Greek





Tampa Bay Lightning @ Boston Bruins

For this game, we can expect the public to be with us. After all, Boston Bruins is one of the biggest public teams on NHL. But that's not the only reason to see a Boston Bruins' odds drop.

Tampa Bay is a home-based team. It's hard for this team to win games on the road, with a 4-5 record. This record will be much more negative as we move on in the league. They usually start with poor performances on the road and I can't see them to improve it on this mini road trip. They are passing by bad moment in this season, as they are struggling in their game, making only a few great games.

Even when their stars do their job, usually the defenders don't go along with them. Their defenders have been very poor so far, allowing more than 3 goals per game on the road.

Boston is again on the right road. After they struggled in a period of this season, they are back as we expected. Their defense as been quite solid, the only solid part of their game this season so far. They are just allowing 1.60 goals per game at home, and they don't fear any offensive team. Their offense has improved a lot in their last games, after Savard returned to the team. He has done the difference after his return and has now made an agreement for a 7 year extend contract. His confidence should be great now and will probably show it today, that he deserves the new contract.

So, we have one of the strongest teams returning to their best performances. They are very strong on defense, specially at home, and they'll probably knock out the strongest part of the Tampa Bay game. If the Boston defenders stop Tampa Bay offensive players, it will be a blow out loss to Tampa for sure, as they aren't able to stop anyone. Savard will probably exploit that fact and I expect the Bruins to get one of their biggest wins so far.


Pick: Boston Bruins PL -1.5 +165 (2.65) Bookmaker