Tonight’s Free NHL Picks (11/19/09)

Yesterday we took a hit with both Detroit and Buffalo both failing to win at home. We just needed one of those teams to win at home to end up in the green, but they both surprisingly lost and it gave us a hit. However, the Flyers kept the damage from getting worse. I have four games tonight and am favoring Atlanta and Pittsburgh right now. I’ll also add a hot Devils team to the card and a great play on Phoenix with the very favorable +160 line.

1.) ATLANTA -110 over Boston (2 units) — Boston has lost 3-straight games and is having a really tough time scoring goals. Atlanta is 6-2 in their last 8 games and averaging 4 goals per game in their last 5. You’re getting a team that’s on fire right now, at home, at a great price, against an offense that’s struggling without their star C Marc Savard in the line up. Atlanta averages 3.88 GPG at home vs. Boston’s 2.14 average on the road. (L-SO)

2.) Pittsburgh -100 over OTTAWA (2 units) — Ottawa has been pretty disappointing so far. They’re just a middle-of-the-pack team. Pittsburgh has Malkin back and I think they continue the way they started the year, dominating teams. PIT started the year 9-1. PIT is also 7-3 on the road (all 3 losses with Malkin out). They are able to beat good teams on the road. OTT is averaging just 2.0 GPG in their last 5. The last time PIT played OTT was on 10/12 and PIT won 4-1. (L)

3.) Phoenix +160 over St. Louis (1 unit) — What a favorable moneyline to take here. The Blues are a very weak team. They are 2-8 in their last 10. Phoenix is 5-5 in their last 10 with impressive wins over Dallas and Chicago, two quality hockey clubs. The Coyotes met the Blues on 10/29 in St. Louis and beat them 2-0. (L-OT)

4.) Devils -120 over NASHVILLE (1 unit) — The Devils are playing good hockey right now and they’re 9-1 on the road. They’re 8-1 in their last 9 with their sole loss against a tough Philly team on the road. Nashville is no slouch though. They are an impressive 7-3 in their last 10, but I’m leaning towards the Devils in this one. (L-SO)

Opening Win/Loss: (4.5 units)

Closing Win/Loss: (8.8 units) — STUPID SHOOTOUTS!!!!