NHL Wednesday

[VegasVic]

Toronto/Florida Under 5 -115

[Unit and a half play]


This number is wrong and will not last. I’m putting this game up early only because of that fact. Scalping possibilities abound with Pinnacle’s questionable totals magnified by their, no room for error, dime line. For instance: I got Colorado/Calgary under 5 -110 last night. Presently the over 5 stands at +125. Regardless I’ll stick with my original bet and forego the scalp but I can assure you that this Leaf/Panther game will have a comparable move.

Roberto Luongo is as hot as any goalie can be. Toronto’s Mikael Tellqvist has rounded in to become a very decent net minder. Even if Trevor Kidd gets the start I wouldn’t be too concerned with a weak Panther offense as his opponent. (at this point it’s very hard to determine who will be in net for Toronto)

Florida has 5 unders in a row and Toronto (with Tellqvist) has gone under the number 2 of the last 3. Toronto’s offense is ordinary against a solid tender as evidenced by looking at their last four games. Against Carolina, (and Weekes), they scored 2 goals on the 19th and one when they faced him again last Monday. Against Andrew Raycroft a week ago they scored two. And the fourth game they faced Montreal, (and backup goalie Garon), and scored 5.

In the last 5 games by Florida they have tallied a total of 10 goals. As a home dog they average 2.18. This team wins one way and one way only. Victory through team defense and Mr. Luongo who is on top of his game at present and probably the Vezina Trophy winner this year.


more selections to follow

 

[jwblue]

Love the under in the Phoenix/Pittsburgh game 6 (-102). Burke played well against Anaheim. Phoenix just canned their coach.

Under 5 Carolina Washington. Weeks playing well. Kolzig been playing better lately.


The Tampa Bay line seems off at-.5 (-110) against Atlanta. Not sure what that is about. Might be a trap; if they exist in pucks.


IS

 

[VegasVic]

Burke? He's on the other coast now but I do like this game ....in a way...see post.

Atlanta plays Tampa Bay tough at home.

Car/Wash has a history of high scoring games against each other, however I see more defense being played now and I would lean to the under also. Both Weekes and Kolzig are studs.

 

[VegasVic]

Pittsburgh Penguins +.5 +235


Yeah I know….Say what you will but I have a feeling about this game.

The Pittsburgh Penguins take their 18 game losing streak to the road looking for anyway to come away with anything but a loss. Although to be accurate they did record one point within that 18 game string with a overtime defeat.
And what better place to do so than Phoenix? A team that just fired their coach on Tuesday, (Bobby Francis), who just two short years ago was named coach of the year. How quick they fall. A team that has won only three games in their last 20 since their record holder Brian Boucher learned it’s better to give than to receive. How quick they fall. And although the Pittsburgh Penguins losing ways at their home Mellon Arena have been widely publicized on Sportscenter the Coyotes struggles on their own brand spanking new ice fortress have been of similar result. Since opening Glendale Areana they have gone 3-10-3 within it‘s friendly confines. They have also failed to win as a home favorite 14 times out of 17 opportunities. And boy are they ever a favorite here.

I believe that getting away from the cold, dark, dank winter of Pittsburgh and traveling as far away from the atmosphere that breeds negativity and losing is just the medicine for what ails this club. So for three days the team has been in Phoenix, practicing, changing their lines and hopefully going into this game with a fresh look. Fortunately it’s been raining there so at least they’re not out on the golf course working on something besides their game plan.
But according to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, defenseman Dan Focht reports, “regardless of the weather the team had a group excursion last night”. Hmmmmm “excursion” huh? Well as Jack said and said and said and said…all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

According to the Post Andy Chiodo will be in net and that’s the deciding factor for me to decide to risk betting on a 18 game loser. I’ve seen this kid play in both his two previous starts and he’s legitimate. He lost to the Islanders 4-3 and was out dueled by Roberto Luongo and Florida 2-0. Both games could have just as easily gone the other way. So after losing narrowly to two quality teams like these they now face a team who has been struggling nearly equal to themselves. I think the skill level of those two teams and tonight’s opponent will make all the difference in the world.

And that’s a group excursion I’m talking about.



NHL single unit plays………67-47-5.…+ 19.11
Unit and a half plays…………5-2-1.…. + 4.65

NHL total to Date……………72-49-6.…+ 23.76

 

[Sharp]

I have always wondered if there is somewhere that it's recorded ATS the record of a coach in his debut. I'm sure we have all noticed that a team with a new head coach, always seems to put up a great fight, and often win two games after the switch.

This game is slightly different for two reasons: Rick Bowness has been the assistant coach for the entire season, and secondly, these are the pittsburg penguins.

I have bet on the past four coaching debuts, and have won all four. I feel like this line is extremely bloated, and if I am to touch it, I'll probably take the +1.5 goals, to insure against a Phx win. I do see Pittsburg keeping this one close. They may be short on talent, but they do work about as hard as any team in the league.

sharp

 

[BlackampGold]

"I believe that getting away from the cold, dark, dank winter of Pittsburgh "


Easy, there Vic. The sun was shining bright today here in the Burgh -

Go Pens!

 

[VegasVic]

Figuratively speaking of course B&G.

 

[ATX]

nice writeup

nice calls

NICE NIGHT!!

 

[VegasVic]

thanks ATX