By Trevor Utley
I don't know how to start these anymore without having the crutch of bitching about being under .500. The thing is, I don't want to fall below that watermark just so I have a tailor made opening. I'll figure out. I went 1-1 yesterday, keeping myself at even for 2014. Carolina was able to hold off late Calgary pressure to keep my under intact. After not getting a single win, though two points from shootout losses, in all of October, the Canes have won five out of six in the first two weeks of November. They look to have put their putrid first month behind them and have gained my trust as a potential underdog pick with a tougher schedule forthcoming. A team that is trending in the opposite direction is New Jersey, after starting 3-0, they haven't been able to string consecutive victories together all the while being a flop at covering the number. They continued that trend last night as they whiffed against the Bruins with a goal and a half in hand. Tonight I once again go with just two picks, one against the spread and one over/under. For the first time in over a week, I will be picking my team, the St. Louis Blues. They need to keep the Sabres, as well as themselves, under five total goals. Both offenses are nothing special so I am hoping that there is a 2-1 or 3-1 game between the two this evening. My other pick is the San Jose Sharks laying a goal and a half against the host Florida Panthers. Florida's defense and goaltending can only do so much to make up for the fact that they just flat out can't score goals. Even if they are able to stifle the Sharks' attack to an extent, I don't see them being able to keep it within two with their complete lack of goal scoring ability. This is usually the point where I say "On to the picks!" but I already laid out what I was doing so HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY AND THANK YOU SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN FOR YOUR SACRIFICE FOR US!
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All picks are made with composite puck lines from ESPN.com. Home team in ALL CAPS.
San Jose +1.5 FLORIDA
ST. LOUIS/Buffalo Under 5.0
Last Day's NHL Record: 1-1
NHL Record for 2014: 46-46
Last Day's All Picks Record: 2-2
All-Time NHL Record: 104-99
All-Time Picks Record: 282-242-5