Free NHL Picks – Monday, November 16
NHL PICKS RECORD
Yesterday: Passed
Saturday: 0-2
Season-to-date: 34-23
TODAY’S NHL PICKS
BOSTON vs. New York Islanders
COLUMBUS vs. Edmonton
PITTSBURGH vs. Anaheim
PHOENIX vs. Tampa Bay
Phoenix/Tampa UNDER 5 ½
Boston Bruins vs. New York Islanders
Why I’m picking BOSTON: Boston won 4-3 in a shootout in Boston on Oct. 10, and that victory was the latest in their recent dominance of the Isles. Since the start of the 2007/08 season, the Bruins are 8-1-0 against the Islanders and a perfect 5-0-0 at home.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Edmonton Oilers
Why I’m picking COLUMBUS: The Blue Jackets are a solid 5-2-2 at home this season after bouncing back from Wednesday’s 9-1 mauling by Detroit with a 3-2 shootout win over Anaheim on Friday.
Meanwhile, the Oilers are just 2-7-1 away from home this season. Since winning their road opener against Nashville, Edmonton is 1-7-1 on the road, and they’re 0-2-1 in their last three road games after a 5-3 win at Colorado on the 8th in their first game of their current five-game road swing, which ends tonight in Columbus.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Anaheim Ducks
Why I’m picking PITTSBURGH: The return of Evgeni Malkin on Saturday against the Bruins brought the Penguins out of their offensive slump, as big games from Malkin and Sidney Crosby saw the defending Stanley Cup champions outlast Boston 6-5 and snap their four-game losing streak.
With Malkin in the lineup, Pittsburgh netted three or more goals 10 times in their first 12 games and scored 43 goals total in that span. The Penguins scored four goals twice in their first three games without Malkin, but in the previous four before his return on Saturday, Pittsburgh scored only four times and was shut out twice.
So, it’s safe to say his return boosts their offense tremendously, and his three assists and Pittsburgh’s six goals are a testament to it.
A Malkin-less Pittsburgh won 4-3 at Anaheim two weeks ago, and with him back in the lineup, I’m looking for the result to be the same. The Ducks are 0-3-2 in their last five road games, and they’re fresh off of giving up an unlucky seven in a 7-4 loss at Detroit on Saturday.
Phoenix Coyotes vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
Why I’m picking PHOENIX: The Lightning are 2-0-1 in their last four road games after an 0-4-1 road start, but I’m liking the Coyotes (6-4-0 at home this season) to take this one.
Phoenix had lost four of five going into Saturday’s game against Dallas, but they picked up a much-needed 3-2 win over the Stars, and I see that confidence carrying them to the victory.
Both teams have played a lot of close games this season, and this is where the Coyotes have a definite edge. The Lightning are only 3-0-6 in games decided by a goal/in overtime or a shootout, while the Coyotes are 5-2-0 in such games.
Why I’m picking UNDER 5 ½: The under in Phoenix’s home games has been a popular pick for me, though it (and the straight up) didn’t go my way last time around, thanks to four combined third-period goals in Montreal’s 4-2 win on Thursday.
Still, it’s a solid pick, as the total has been five or less in seven of Phoenix’s 10 home games. The Coyotes are going up against a Lightning team that’s scored more than two goals in only two of eight road games, which is a stat very much in Phoenix’s favor, as the Coyotes have allowed two or less goals in seven of their 10 home games.
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