Are you a betting man? #5
I needed a week away from the picks to gain my composure (not really, I was insanely busy doing some holiday shopping, working, and other things, my apologies). A couple weeks ago, I once again went 1-3 to down my record to 6-10 on the year. Let’s see if I can land a 4-0 week to get back to .500…
Saturday, December 19
Detroit @ Dallas, 3 pm (all times eastern) – Being a huge “wing-nut”, I always get excited for the few true rivalries the Red Wings have left (since they don’t play an Original 6 team more than once in any given year, piss over Comissioner Bettman!) That being said, the Red Wings are probably playing their best hockey of the year (winners of their last 4 and 5 out of 6). However, the loss of Henrik Zetterberg only adds to the walking wounded in Motown. I think the Wings are catching the Stars at an opportune time because they aren’t playing very well right now. Detroit 3, Dallas 2.
Nashville @ Calgary, 4 pm- The Preds are a hard team to figure out this year. 21 wins this season (T-4 in the NHL) has the sound of a team who scores a lot while giving up very little. Curiously, Nashville scores 2.77 goals per game while, at the same time, they give up 2.77 goals per game. That tells me that this team has as many personalities as one Dr. Jekyll. Which team will show up? My bet is on the lower scoring of the two because Calgary has just returned from a road trip and the Saddle Dome will be bumpin’. Calgary 4, Nashville 1.
Minnesota @ Ottawa, 7 pm- To sum up the season that Ottawa has had so far: they play terrible on the road, you can flip a coin on which team will show up at home, and their goaltending situation with Brian Elliott is mediocre at best. Whether it is Elliott or the young Brodeur who starts in net against Minnesota, the Wild have shaken off their early-season road-ice ineptitude and will score some goal. I don’t think Ottawa will. Minnesota 4, Ottawa 2.
Columbus @ Colorado, 9 pm- If anyone who has seen the Steve Mason from last season, the Jackets have asked that you pin a one-way ticket back to Columbus on his collar and pray that he makes it there. Columbus hasn’t had too many issues scoring goals, but they are 28th in goals allowed at 3.26 per game. Colorado, on the hand, loves to score goals and they do it well at the Pepsi Center. I’ll take an 80% Craig Anderson or a 100% Peter Budaj any day against whoever the Blue Jackets put on the ice. Colorado 5, Columbus 2.
December 18, 2009
