Free NHL Picks For Today 4/2/2022
Los Angeles at Winnipeg NHL Pick Prediction 4/2/2022
Kings: For those of you who(m) bet on Calgary in a multi-team parlay with all of the East Coast home favorites, then lost all of your money when L.A. scored in overtime, shame on you.
We offered three solid reasons why the Kings would win and that even a Puck Line play of the Flames would go up in, well, flames.
Suddenly, look at the Pacific standings. The Kings are within five points of a division crown even though Calgary holds two games in-hand. Will it be enough?
Why L.A.? Improving defense, the return of several defenders — they skated seven blue-liners against CGY — and a pair of solid goalies, although Jonathan Quick has seen better days.
Meanwhile, the analytics folks deed to realize that not everything lies in the numbers. Of course, I follow them, but not exclusively.
And when Anze Kopitar wakes from his 2 goals in 18 games slumber, a trip to the Western Conference final is a distinct possibility.
Jets: Winnipeg’s target is the second wild card berth held by Dallas, but the Jets seem to be slowly slipping away, now three points behind the Stars (who don’t hold the tie-breaker).
Inconsistent scoring against playoff-bound teams is a problem. Sure, they recently tallied five on Buffalo, but SAMPLES
One problem is second-line center Peter Stastny — wasn’t his father, Peter, a great skater/scorer — who just snapped an 11-game goalless streak, had a pair of goals against Tampa Bay, but that was back on Mar, 8.
Winnipeg has a pair of 3-2 wins over L.A. because of similar styles on defense. and blocking a ton of shots, despite what the lousy scorekeepers in Seattle say.
Prediction: Winnipeg is in a bounce-back after allowing seven goals last time out in Toronto. The Kings are playing their third game in four days, so even though the back-to-back at Edmonton and Calgary was anything but a failure, we might be asking a little too much here… a lean to the Jets the play is the UNDER.
Columbus at Boston NHL Pick Prediction 4/2/2022
Blue Jackets: Since blowing consecutive games to L.A. and Boston on Mar. 4-5, the golf season couldn’t come close enough for the Jackets: 4-6-4 SU (4-10 ATS) and losers of five straight.
Sure, they defeated Florida on the road, but that was back in February — they’ve gone 1-4-2 SU (1-6 ATS) since the Panthers’ hiccup.
How bleak are things with the Jackets? Look at Friday’s press release: “The Colorado Avalanche traded mascot Bernie to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for mascot Stinger on Friday.”
How depressing must “the room” be in Columbus?
Bruins: If you think the trend with Overs in the first or third periods with Colorado and New Jersey is hot, look at this the Stat of the Night comes from Boston, winners in 16-1 ATS on Saturdays — Wow!
A contributing factor: when the Bruins play back-to-back, it rarely includes a Friday game on the front end because they play so many days games on Saturday, the day when the club is fired up by often playing on national television.
This is the first of a home-and-home series with the Blue Jackets, as Boston is 5-1 SU/ATS in L6. Even better, they are 15-3-1 SU (16-3) in L19, in an attempt to gain home ice in the first round of the playoffs.
The clubs met in Ohio just three weeks ago, with the Bees taking a 6-5 shootout victory. Boston also completes a 5-game homestand here.
Prediction: When new of the day involves a St. Bernard, it’s the BRUINS on the Puck Line or a main course in a money-line parlay,
Minnesota at Carolina NHL Pick Prediction 4/2/2022
Wild: Minnesota will begin a four-game road trip after a seven-game winning streak ended with Thursday’s 4-3 overtime loss to Pittsburgh.
Typically involved in low-scoring games, the Wild is averaging five goals per contest of late. One reason is the trade for Columbus winger Max Domi to balance the forward lines.
The club welcomes the return of forward Jordan Martinook from a seven-game absence with a lower-body injury in the game with the Penguins.
Hurricanes: Right now, Carolina is playing as well as they did when they opened the season with nine consecutive wins. The only losses were to Dallas and Tampa Bay — not too shabby.
Prediction: What a coincidence! Late-season contests between clubs from opposite conferences often seem to go to overtime. And at +300, why not his one? Play the 60-minute draw, then enjoy teams with contrasting styles. The value play is, of course, the Wild, but the Canes are just playing too well to go against them, and they’re in revenge mode.
Dallas at San Jose NHL Pick Prediction 4/2/2022
Stars: Dallas might be in a stretch of 8-of-10 on the road, yet they continue to win, striving to overtake St. Louis for third place and an automatic playoff berth out of the round.
They just beat Anaheim in overtime to extend some interesting streaks. While the Ducks suffered their 11th straight loss until last night’s win in Arizona ( as the favorite no less), the Stars are 10-1 in overtime this season (also 4-2 in shootouts).
Thus, if Dallas is a little tired, playing the 60-minute regulation draw at +290 is well worth a small play. Also, the club announced they like the play since the return of D Miro Heiskanen from mono — one reason they are perfect on the current road trip to the West Coast.
Sharks: San Jose announced the re-signing of defenseman Nikolai Knyzhov. Well, they better do something because the main roster is looking similar to the San Jose (AGL) Barracuda roster: youth and inexperience.
Despite nipping Anaheim in overtime on Thursday, Anaheim bounced back for a win in Arizona, leaving the Stars and Ducks tied for sixth place — like anyone,(including the players) cares.
Prediction: Bet this one early because all of the money will go on the… STARS on their drive to the postseason.
St. Louis at Calgary NHL Pick Prediction 4/2/2022
Blues: A darling to make the playoffs, St. Louis may be on the way out of the postseason with a loss here.
Flames: A darling to make the playoffs, Calgary might blow first place in the division with a loss here.
It’s not like these clubs are slumping, but there have been some recent games where expectations were higher than the results.
Case-in-point: Calgary’s recent home-ice setback to L.A. Everyone east of the Rockies had Calgary as part of a multi-team, money-line parlay. And while the early games came in, when the Kings scored in overtime (I projected a Kings victory; you’re welcome) — the books bought a few new light bulbs for their marque.
Could both clubs have goaltender issues?
St. Louis rookie Ville Husso of Finland is suddenlt4-5-1 SU (4-6 ATS) in L10 is find the puck hard to find of late. Meanwhile, Jordan Binnington, the rookie darling that led the Blues to the Stanley Cup, is 2-6-1 SU (23-7 ATS) and was subject to trade talks prior to the trade deadline.
Meanwhile, the Flames’ overworked Jacob Markstrom is 2-2-2 SU (2-4 ATS) of late, with little help expected from back-up Daniel Vlada is 4-6 SU/ATS.
Prediction: At least Calgary can score and St. Louis can when needed. The OVER is their lone choice.
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Pittsburgh at Colorado NHL Pick Prediction 4/2/2022
Penguins: Despite a reputation as a high-scoring team, Pittsburgh can play deeply under control in the first period, force a break, turn in into a goal –and away they go!
Avalanche: Colorado releases its skaters from the opening puck drop, and are often good for a goal in the first 10 minutes — an interesting prop that is 17-3 in L20.
Overview: Think about it. Both top seeds rarely come out of each conference, so this could be a Stanley Cup preview — Colorado is already the favorite in the West; the Pens could come out of the Metro, then defeat one of the Florida teams. Why not?
Differences: The Pens are — ready for this — in 8th place in the National League for… fewest goals allowed. Who would expect that? And the defense has enough size with speed to bump around the Colorado skills skaters.
Plus, Steel City is feeling good about themselves after a road win in Minnesota.
The Avalanche
Prediction: This is a weird home-and home series between clubs from opposite conferences in their lone meetings of the year. Except for two games with lowly San Jose, the Avs haven’t scored four goals in a game in nearly a month.
Prediction: Pittsburgh is in better form, they had a day off, the goalie is slightly hotter, and they can dictate pace and slow the game down, especially since Colorado is in a slight scoring slump. The vale plat is the (usually) the road team, ter… PENGUINS.
Florida at New Jersey NHL Pick Prediction 4/2/2022
Panthers: While the Devils are forced to go to the reserve goalie, it might be a perfect time for Florida to rest Sergei Bobrovsky.
Sure, the Panthers, the winners in 5-of-6,can name their score, but they don’t need to, so a Pick Line play he is out of the question.
LW Jonathan Huberdeau needs three points to become the club’s single-season points leader, trying to overtake Aleksander Barkov (2018-19),
Devils: New Jersey goalie Mackenzie Blackwood is out with a lower-body injury — it’s his left heel — so the Devils may choose from at least five others that have tended their net this season (probably Nico Daws, like it matters, although a win would raise his record to .500).
But there is good news. The schedule-maker has been unkind of late, but now the Devils get four straight at home at The Rock, where they have won 6-of-6, including the Blues, Rangers and Avalanche.
Prediction: The price is not right on Florida (way too high), or the Puck Line (way too risky) and despite a nice home-ice record, New Jersey is not a happy rick despite a nice payoff. PASS.
Toronto at Philadelphia NHL Pick Prediction 4/2/2022
Maple Leafs: Toronto remains a point ahead of Tampa Bay for second place in the Atlantic, and it should stay that way as both meet bottom-dwellers on Saturday.
Note that D lya Lyubushkin is out for a few days after his hand was slashed, so Philly might get an extra goal or two.
The Flyers also enjoy taking careless penalties, so the Leafs power play is already gearing up.
Flyers: Memo to Philadelphia scoring leader: Why did you leave Columbus after 10 seasons to sign with a Flyers program you knew in advance wasn’t going anywhere? If it’s simply the money, you are a loser and deserve be there.
You were the talk of the league after scoring 41 goals four seasons ago, but now, you are in the cesspool of a townc– guess where I am from??!!!
The team is 3-7-1 SU (3-8 ATS) in L11.
Prediction: Since the Flyers’ defense is so wretched. the Maple Leafs may have a party and cover the Total on their own… OVER. (In locales where it’s offered, you might buy a half-goal and get the odds down to Even).
Montreal at Tampa Bay NHL Pick Prediction 4/2/2022
Canadiens: HockeyReferense.com lists Montreal with just a 27-percent probability of winning — matching its lowest for any club this season.
Lightning: In a playoff hunt for a higher seed.
Canadiens: Most players also play golf, so they will scout possible courses as they complete a long road trip.
Lightning: Can golf year-round, so they will be focused.
Canadiens: Because of the club’s surprise run to the Stanley Cup Final last season, this club has major salary cap issues to deal with this summer, so rising stars like 22-year old Nick Suzki, the club’s scoring leader, may be forced to the trade block — Vegas would love to have him back.
Prediction: A definite Puck Line play on the… LIGHTNING.
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