HOME TEAM IN CAPS
All games include OT unless stated otherwise
Buffalo -½ +1.34 over TORONTO (REG)
This choice is predicated on the fact that CuJo will be in net again for the Maple Leafs. Ron Wilson committed to that before the Atlanta game and I’m only playing this if it’s true. So, just to be clear, this is a play only if Curtis Joseph starts for the Leafs and you can check too by going to either nhl.com or http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl about 10 minutes prior to game time and you’ll get the starting line-ups. Cujo got the win against the Thrashers on Tuesday but so what. He allowed two goals in the first five minutes on just eight shots and then, for some odd reason, the Thrashers let up and stopped firing. The Sabres won’t. CuJo is old and slow, he’s on his knees on every shot and he’s on his knees seconds before the shot is even taken. He’s way out of position on so many occasions and if the Sabres play a good game, they should get to five goals. In fact, I would be surprised to even see Joseph make it to the end of this game. He’s not even minor-league caliber anymore and he probably won’t make it to the end of the season. In almost 40 years of watching hockey, I’ve never seen a goaltender so slow or so out of position as this stiff. Play: Buffalo -½ +1.34 (Risking 2 units).
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CHICAGO -½ +1.41 over Detroit (REG)
Some of you may be a little reluctant to pull the trigger on this one after Chicago went into the Joe on Tuesday and were shutout 4-0. However, that score is a bit misleading, as things could have easily gone the other way. Chicago came out firing and Ty Conklin was brilliant in the first 10 minutes (actually he was brilliant the whole game) and in fact, Chicago had a 12-1 advantage in shots on net. Then the Wings got a power-play goal, Patrick Kane got hurt, the Wings got another power-play goal and it was 2-0 and the wind came out of the Blackhawks sail. Now the venue switches to Wrigley Field for the Winter Classic and for fans that haven’t been able to get excited about the Blackhawks in eons, this city and stadium is going to be absolutely delirious. Let’s not forget that Chicago had won nine straight prior to that loss in Detroit and they sure looked sharp again in that fateful first period. Niklas Lindstrom is still out and he is to Chicago what Roberto Luongo is to the Canucks. It says here the Blackhawks play their best game of the year and pick up the win in impressive fashion. Play: Chicago -½ +1.41 (Risking 2 units).
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Vancouver +1.03 over NASHVILLE
I definitely like the “new goalie” angle, as Jason LaBarbera makes his Canuck debut. Teams will usually dig down a little deeper under these conditions in support of its new goalie and it’s not like LaBarbera is making his NHL debut. Besides, the Preds are a mess. Coach Barry Trotz has been threatening to bench some vets and that never sits well with anyone. When that starts to happen it infuriates the players and they usually don’t respond well. Trotz is losing control of the team and that’s what losing does, as it’s very contagious. The Preds are also steamed at the Canucks after they claim there were a few cheap hits the last time these two played on Dec 9 in Vancouver. So, instead of beating them on the ice, the Preds will be looking for a little payback in the physical department and what that means is they’ll likely be more focused on that then on winning and the result will be a bunch of cheap penalties. Nobody intimidates the Canucks and certainly this inferior opponent won’t either. No, the Canucks will go about their business in the way they always do. They’ll play their usual methodical and aggressive style with a proficient for-check and pressuring the defense into making mistakes and coughing up the puck. The Canucks plus anything against this reeling host is a gift. Play: Vancouver +1.03 (Risking 2 units).
All games include OT unless stated otherwise
Buffalo -½ +1.34 over TORONTO (REG)
This choice is predicated on the fact that CuJo will be in net again for the Maple Leafs. Ron Wilson committed to that before the Atlanta game and I’m only playing this if it’s true. So, just to be clear, this is a play only if Curtis Joseph starts for the Leafs and you can check too by going to either nhl.com or http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl about 10 minutes prior to game time and you’ll get the starting line-ups. Cujo got the win against the Thrashers on Tuesday but so what. He allowed two goals in the first five minutes on just eight shots and then, for some odd reason, the Thrashers let up and stopped firing. The Sabres won’t. CuJo is old and slow, he’s on his knees on every shot and he’s on his knees seconds before the shot is even taken. He’s way out of position on so many occasions and if the Sabres play a good game, they should get to five goals. In fact, I would be surprised to even see Joseph make it to the end of this game. He’s not even minor-league caliber anymore and he probably won’t make it to the end of the season. In almost 40 years of watching hockey, I’ve never seen a goaltender so slow or so out of position as this stiff. Play: Buffalo -½ +1.34 (Risking 2 units).
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fficeffice" /><o></o>CHICAGO -½ +1.41 over Detroit (REG)
Some of you may be a little reluctant to pull the trigger on this one after Chicago went into the Joe on Tuesday and were shutout 4-0. However, that score is a bit misleading, as things could have easily gone the other way. Chicago came out firing and Ty Conklin was brilliant in the first 10 minutes (actually he was brilliant the whole game) and in fact, Chicago had a 12-1 advantage in shots on net. Then the Wings got a power-play goal, Patrick Kane got hurt, the Wings got another power-play goal and it was 2-0 and the wind came out of the Blackhawks sail. Now the venue switches to Wrigley Field for the Winter Classic and for fans that haven’t been able to get excited about the Blackhawks in eons, this city and stadium is going to be absolutely delirious. Let’s not forget that Chicago had won nine straight prior to that loss in Detroit and they sure looked sharp again in that fateful first period. Niklas Lindstrom is still out and he is to Chicago what Roberto Luongo is to the Canucks. It says here the Blackhawks play their best game of the year and pick up the win in impressive fashion. Play: Chicago -½ +1.41 (Risking 2 units).
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></o>Vancouver +1.03 over NASHVILLE
I definitely like the “new goalie” angle, as Jason LaBarbera makes his Canuck debut. Teams will usually dig down a little deeper under these conditions in support of its new goalie and it’s not like LaBarbera is making his NHL debut. Besides, the Preds are a mess. Coach Barry Trotz has been threatening to bench some vets and that never sits well with anyone. When that starts to happen it infuriates the players and they usually don’t respond well. Trotz is losing control of the team and that’s what losing does, as it’s very contagious. The Preds are also steamed at the Canucks after they claim there were a few cheap hits the last time these two played on Dec 9 in Vancouver. So, instead of beating them on the ice, the Preds will be looking for a little payback in the physical department and what that means is they’ll likely be more focused on that then on winning and the result will be a bunch of cheap penalties. Nobody intimidates the Canucks and certainly this inferior opponent won’t either. No, the Canucks will go about their business in the way they always do. They’ll play their usual methodical and aggressive style with a proficient for-check and pressuring the defense into making mistakes and coughing up the puck. The Canucks plus anything against this reeling host is a gift. Play: Vancouver +1.03 (Risking 2 units).
