All picks are made with composite puck lines from ESPN.com. Home team in all CAPS.
OTTAWA Pick over Columbus PICK OF THE DAY!
If I am getting a pick 'em, I'm taking the home team. Ottawa has won four out of their last five games with one of those being at Columbus. The Senators goalie duo of Craig Anderson and Robin Lehner are heating up.
St. Louis -1.5 over WASHINGTON
Brian Elliott let up two short handed goals yesterday. The Blues top ranked offense bailed him out in a big way. Jaroslav Halak won't need the same support, even with Alex Ovechkin and friends breathing down his neck. Braden Holtby works well with a small workload but unlucky for him St. Louis attackers don't usually provide opposing goalies that luxury.
Los Angeles -1.5 over NY RANGERS
The Kings have been giving me mixed results. They don't seem to show up every night. BUT, with Jonathan Quick on the shelf the Kings seem to be playing harder for backup Ben Scrivens. The Rangers lost to the Kings in LA very early on and I predict a similar fate for the Blue Shirts tonight.
San Jose +1.5 over CHICAGO
Chicago was bombarded by an awful Predators team last night. You don't just bounce back against a team like the Sharks. The Sharks getting a goal and a half doesn't hurt the cause either. San Jose has won three straight after five consecutive losses. Six of San Jose's last eight games have gone to OT and/or shootout, great news for taking an underdog with goals.
MINNESOTA -1.5 over Winnipeg
This is a toss up for me. Toss up = pick the home squad. Giving up 1.5 goals against an unpredictable team like Winnipeg worries me, especially with my track record with the Wild, but Josh Harding is the best goalie in the league at home so I'll take my chances.
Dallas +1.5 over VANCOUVER
I'm riding Dallas until they do me wrong. Whether they are home, away, favorite, or underdog; the Stars are my go to team this season. Now that I've jinxed it I now expect the Stars get blown out. Damn my mouth!
Last Day's NHL Record: 5-4
NHL Record for 2013: 39-37
Last Day's All Picks Record: 17-15
All Picks Record for 2013: 136-112-1