2009.11.17, only 1 pick:
Washington Capitals @ New York Rangers: New York Rangers ML -110 (1.91) The Greek
2009.11.17 results:
Washington Capitals @ New York Rangers: New York Rangers ML -110 (1.91) The Greek (2-4: LOSS)
2009.11.17 finished with a 0-1 and -1 unit lost/1 unit risked.
NHL 2009-2010 season record: 29-53 (-14.25 units lost/83 units risked)
2009.11.19, only 2 picks:
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Carolina Hurricanes: Toronto Maple Leafs ML -110 (1.91) Bookmaker
Pittsburgh Penguins @ Ottawa Senators: Pittsburgh Penguins ML +100 (2.00) The Greek
For record purposes, I'm going to grade these 2 picks on the 3Way (1X2) instead of the moneylines:
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Carolina Hurricanes: Toronto Maple Leafs 3Way (1X2) +135 (2.35) Bookmaker, +150 (2.50) Goalwin
Pittsburgh Penguins @ Ottawa Senators: Pittsburgh Penguins 3Way (1X2) +135 (2.35) Bookmaker, +155 (2.55) Goalwin
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Carolina Hurricanes
This will be probably the best game of the day, due to the fact that this will be a matchup between two teams that have their best arguments on the offense.
Pittsburgh had 5 of their 7 losses on the last 8 games. They struggled a little bit with 4 straight losses, but are now returning to their best form, with 2 wins in a row. Curious is the fact that they only started to win when one of their stars, Malkin, returned. With 2 games since is return, the team is scoring 5.5 goals per game, but with him out, the team has scored 0 goals twice, and on the other games, only 1 goal. So, they definitly had struggled without him, even having Crosby, who aparently can't get enough without Malkin support.
Penguins will start a 3 games road trip and certainly will want to start it well. They are 7-4 at road, but remember that 3 of those losses where in their last road trip, when they were struggling. Despite their record and known power they are having problems with lots of injuries, specially at defense where they were improving from last season. But their biggest attributes are the offensive ones, and Crosby and Malkin together are reason enough to guarantee that Pittsburgh will hit the nets. It seems probable that Max Talbot will return today as well, he was the Game 7 two-goal scorer hero from the last Stanley Cup final in June. And Fleury will be at their nets, he is playing pretty well and will give more confidence for the few defenders that will be able to play
Ottawa even with talented players are struggling and the last time they've got 2 wins in a row was one month ago. Their last game was a win and if they stay as an unreliable team, we can expect them to lose today. They have a few veterans like Alfredsson and Kovalev, who are pure talent players and give great value to the Senators' roster, transmiting experience to younger and talented players as well, like Spezza. However, this is not enough to win games and they are having problems because they exactly struggle too many games on their offense. Against a team with their best players back to their offensive line, this is easily translated as a loss. If they will not produce on their offense, they will have problems to win their games.
So, for this game we can expect a lot of goals. Senators have talent on their offense and will probably take advantage on the fact that the Penguins have their best defenders out. Yet, the Penguins have their bigger stars in the field and will return Talbot, who did not play since the two goals to Detroit, which gave Pittsburgh their last Stanley Cup. So, it will be a game with a lot of goals, but there is a nice spot to take advantage: Ottawa this season usually loses against power offensive teams, as they can't keep the game close for a long time. They depend too much on their veterans, who are not physically so strong and fit to play too much time as the other players and that gives them a breach on their game.
Pick: Toronto Maple Leafs 3Way (1X2) +135 (2.35) Bookmaker, +150 (2.50) Goalwin
Pittsburgh Penguins @ Ottawa Senators
This will be probably the best game of the day, due to the fact that this will be a matchup between two teams that have their best arguments on the offense.
Pittsburgh had 5 of their 7 losses on the last 8 games. They struggled a little bit with 4 straight losses, but are now returning to their best form, with 2 wins in a row. Curious is the fact that they only started to win when one of their stars, Malkin, returned. With 2 games since is return, the team is scoring 5.5 goals per game, but with him out, the team has scored 0 goals twice, and on the other games, only 1 goal. So, they definitly had struggled without him, even having Crosby, who aparently can't get enough without Malkin support.
Penguins will start a 3 games road trip and certainly will want to start it well. They are 7-4 at road, but remember that 3 of those losses where in their last road trip, when they were struggling. Despite their record and known power they are having problems with lots of injuries, specially at defense where they were improving from last season. But their biggest attributes are the offensive ones, and Crosby and Malkin together are reason enough to guarantee that Pittsburgh will hit the nets. It seems probable that Max Talbot will return today as well, he was the Game 7 two-goal scorer hero from the last Stanley Cup final in June. And Fleury will be at their nets, he is playing pretty well and will give more confidence for the few defenders that will be able to play
Ottawa even with talented players are struggling and the last time they've got 2 wins in a row was one month ago. Their last game was a win and if they stay as an unreliable team, we can expect them to lose today. They have a few veterans like Alfredsson and Kovalev, who are pure talent players and give great value to the Senators' roster, transmiting experience to younger and talented players as well, like Spezza. However, this is not enough to win games and they are having problems because they exactly struggle too many games on their offense. Against a team with their best players back to their offensive line, this is easily translated as a loss. If they will not produce on their offense, they will have problems to win their games.
So, for this game we can expect a lot of goals. Senators have talent on their offense and will probably take advantage on the fact that the Penguins have their best defenders out. Yet, the Penguins have their bigger stars in the field and will return Talbot, who did not play since the two goals to Detroit, which gave Pittsburgh their last Stanley Cup. So, it will be a game with a lot of goals, but there is a nice spot to take advantage: Ottawa this season usually loses against power offensive teams, as they can't keep the game close for a long time. They depend too much on their veterans, who are not physically so strong and fit to play too much time as the other players and that gives them a breach on their game.
Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins 3Way (1X2) +135 (2.35) Bookmaker, +155 (2.55) Goalwin
2009.11.19 results:
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Carolina Hurricanes: Toronto Maple Leafs 3Way (1X2) +135 (2.35) Bookmaker (6-5 SO: LOSS)
Pittsburgh Penguins @ Ottawa Senators: Pittsburgh Penguins 3Way (1X2) +135 (2.35) Bookmaker (6-2: LOSS)
2009.11.19 finished with a 0-2 and -2 units lost/2 units risked.
NHL 2009-2010 season record: 29-55 (-16.25 units lost/85 units risked)
A late tying goal (2 seconds before buzzer time?) after a 3-0 lead of Toronto costs us a small winning day... 😐
2009.11.19, only 2 picks:
Montreal Canadiens @ Washington Capitals: Washington Capitals PL -1.5 +150 (2.50) The Greek
Florida Panthers @ Detroit Red Wings: Detroit Red Wings PL -1.5 +125 (2.25) The Greek
Montreal Canadiens @ Washington Capitals
For this game there are many players doubtful. Unfortunately for us Semin might be out for the Capitals; and Gionta for the Canadiens, will be definitely out. These two are among the best players in their respective teams. But tonight, we have two teams in different situations.
Montreal at the beginning of the season was looking like a serious contender, is now struggling in the league. They started with 2 wins on OT and then had 5 straight losses. After that, the only time they get more than 1 win in a row, was after that 5 losses, and that is when the alarm fired. But even there, they needed OT and SO in 3 of those 4 wins.
And since then, they are losing many games, winning one game occasionally. They won last game in SO at home against one of the weakest teams this season. So, they still have a poor moral, still missing a true "momentum" and they are not able to achieve consecutive wins for now. Their main problem is in the offense, where we all expect much more than they have done yet. Their defense after the injury of Markov, was easy to expect problems. Even in their last 5 games, they are only scoring 1.40 goals per game and they will need urgently to turn things around.
Washington in other hand is one of the best teams in the league and an early contender to Stanley Cup. They are managing very well their injuries as they had few games with all their best players playing together. However, Ovchekin returned last game, preventing Capitals to get a letdown spot. He leads the league in goals with Gaborik and is certainly the best player on NHL. He alone can solve one game, he is the one that can score in any position, in any place. At home, the Capitals are amazing, 3 losses on OT, one loss in Regulation Time, and seven wins. They had scored more than 3.8 goals per game and they make a terrible place to play for the opponent's players.
So, today it will be hard for Canadiens to keep this game close. They are struggling at defense as well as in offense. To keep this game close, they will need to score lots of goals, as it is unlikely that Capitals will have pity of them. Montreal will have to use their wits and play the game just for the game, and hold their will and energy for the next day, when they will have to return to home, to host the Detroit Red Wings. So, I expect an easy win for Washington.
Pick: Washington Capitals PL -1.5 +150 (2.50) The Greek
Florida Panthers @ Detroit Red Wings
We will have a match up here with two hot teams. The difference is that for the Red Wings, we can say "finally!", but for the Panthers, we should be shocked.
They improved so much in their last games, raising almost one goal in their last game, when compared to the rest of the games average. However, this is a case where "the higher they rise, the harder they fall". They will not keep this pace much longer.
Florida is a young team, they doesn't have big names in their first line. They are playing well and that is surprising everybody, as they started the season with a 2-8 record losing.
However in the last games, where they turned things around, those wins were mainly against team with low experience and that are not reliable. Between those wins, for example, they lost 2 games in a row with Capitals, with a 3 difference goals on both matches. For this game they will go with Clemmensen, who is having his worst season so far, with 5.14 goals allowed per game. Thus, he is definitely not reliable despite his experience, he can't feel confident or self-assured at this moment.
Detroit started this season with a slow pace. They struggled a lot until a few games ago and it seemed that finally the "old guys broke". They are a old team truth be told, but they are one of the best teams in the league, talent wise. In their last games they are scoring 4.20 goals per game showing us that they are maybe still alive. They need more games to prove that they are contenders, as they started late their race to the playoffs.
So, this will be a game where probably the Panthers will lose their momentum. They will start with a goaltender who his probably without confidence, due to his woeful exhibitions so far. Their defense is also soft and when they face strong and talent-proved offensive players, they usually breakout. Facing such a talent team like Detroit, with so many strong offensive players, who are finally getting their momentum back and scoring so many goals lately, it is easy to figure that the Red Wings will crush the Panthers.
Pick: Detroit Red Wings PL -1.5 +125 (2.25) The Greek
Final NHL Pick for 2009.11.20:
Philadelphia Flyers @ San Jose Sharks: San Jose Sharks 3Way (1X2) +105 (2.05) Bookmaker, +120 (2.20) Goalwin
2009.11.20 results:
Montreal Canadiens @ Washington Capitals: Washington Capitals PL -1.5 +150 (2.50) The Greek (2-3: LOSS)
Florida Panthers @ Detroit Red Wings: Detroit Red Wings PL -1.5 +125 (2.25) The Greek (1-2 OT: LOSS)
Philadelphia Flyers @ San Jose Sharks: San Jose Sharks 3Way (1X2) +105 (2.05) Bookmaker (6-3: WIN)
2009.11.20 finished with a 1-2 and -0.95 units lost/3 units risked.
NHL 2009-2010 season record: 30-57 (-17.2 units lost/88 units risked)
2009.11.21, 6 picks:
Washington Capitals @ Toronto Maple Leafs : Washington Capitals 3Way (1X2) +125 (2.25) Bookmaker, +120 (2.20) Goalwin
Pittsburgh Penguins @ Atlanta Thrashers: Pittsburgh Penguins 3Way (1X2) +145 (2.45) Bookmaker, +150 (2.50) Goalwin
Florida Panthers @ New York Rangers: New York Rangers PL -1.5 +160 (2.60) Bookmaker
Detroit Red Wings @ Montreal Canadiens: Montreal Canadiens +120 (2.20) ML Bookmaker
Buffalo Sabres @ Ottawa Senators: Ottawa Senators 3Way (1X2) +115 (2.15) Bookmaker, +135 (2.35) Goalwin
Chicago Blackhawks @ Edmonton Oilers: Edmonton Oilers ML +125 (2.25) 5 Dimes
2009.11.21 results:
Washington Capitals @ Toronto Maple Leafs : Washington Capitals 3Way (1X2) +125 (2.25) Bookmaker, +120 (2.20) Goalwin (2-1 SO: LOSS)
Pittsburgh Penguins @ Atlanta Thrashers: Pittsburgh Penguins 3Way (1X2) +145 (2.45) Bookmaker, +150 (2.50) Goalwin (2-3: WIN)
Florida Panthers @ New York Rangers: New York Rangers PL -1.5 +160 (2.60) Bookmaker (2-3: LOSS)
Detroit Red Wings @ Montreal Canadiens: Montreal Canadiens ML +120 (2.20) ML Bookmaker (2-3 SO: LOSS)
Buffalo Sabres @ Ottawa Senators: Ottawa Senators 3Way (1X2) +115 (2.15) Bookmaker, +135 (2.35) Goalwin (5-3: WIN)
Chicago Blackhawks @ Edmonton Oilers: Edmonton Oilers ML +125 (2.25) 5 Dimes (2-5: LOSS)
2009.11.20 finished with a 2-4 and -1.4 units lost/6 units risked.
NHL 2009-2010 season record: 32-61 (-18.6 units lost/94 units risked)
2009.11.23, 5 picks:
Boston Bruins @ St. Louis Blues: Boston Bruins 3Way (1X2) +135 (2.35) Bookmaker, +150 (2.50) Goalwin
Columbus Blue Jackets vs New York Rangers: New York Rangers 3Way (1X2) +115 (2.15) Bookmaker, +120 (2.20) Goalwin
Washington Capitals @ Ottawa Senators: Washington Capitals ML +100 (2.00) Bookmaker, +110 (2.10) William Hill
Carolina Hurricanes @ Dallas Stars: Dallas Stars PL -1.5 +155 (2.55) Bookmaker
Philadelphia Flyers @ Colorado Avalanche: Philadelphia Flyers PL -1.5 +225 (3.25) Bet Jamaica
Boston Bruins @ St Louis Blues
It seems that finally we will see the Bruins as expected. Despite the 10-8 record, we have to add plus 4 losses on OT or SO. So, they are not with a good record and it seems incredible, as we all expected them to be one of the best teams at this point. The reason is simple. Last year, Boston overwhelmed the other teams during the regular season.
By far they were the best team and seemed the best contenders to Stanley's Cup. However, after an easy series against the Canucks, they were stopped in 7 games by Hurricanes. For this year the roster is basically the same. So, we all guess that Boston could once again had shown their power.
But after a weak start, they are a team with curious results. They start with a loss to win the next game. They kept on this system on the first 12 games of the season. Incredible, next to that system of 1 loss followed by 1 win, they got it deeper: 3 consecutive losses for 2 wins in a row. This new season was used in their last 10 games. So, can this time they start a new system?! I believe so.
The Bruins had struggled a lot on their offense. Where they were strong last year and maintaining their offensive players, we can figure that the problem is not lack of talent. Yet, their best center, Marc Savard, have been out for the last 15 games, where they went down in their offense. For today, we can expect him to return to lineup, as he says: "All I know is, I'm ready to get back and I'm glad about that. It will be great to get back in there with the boys.'' So, this is the news that Bruins fans were expecting last 5 weeks. Besides that, the team seems finally with confidence, as they continue strong on their defense and are improving their offense.
Saint Louis has not been reliable so far at home. They have a 5-7 record at home, 3-2 on their last 5 home games. Today they will have their last home game before the scheduled mini road trip. It is not clear yet if they are contenders for the playoffs. Last year they were not contenders, but a poor team until the last game, where they were magnificent, getting the last spot for the playoffs. But in the first series they had a blowout loss.
This year, they are being like the last season. An unreliable and poor team, despite it, they have good players on their roster so far. But even with that good players this is not a quite talented team. And that is easy to figure,as they had a streak of 4 games, where they scored 0.5 goal per game.
In their first 6 home games they seemed to improve their offense, with Kariya ending a 11 pointless games and Berglund scoring his first goal in 13 games. On that game they scored 6 goals, a season high, but then they had 2 straight games with only 2 goals. Despite they won their last 2 games, 3-2 and 4-1, this team is not reliable enough, and it's seems more safe to believe that they will cease this good moment, than continuing with the momentum.
So for this game, we have two teams coming from two wins. However, this match up is between two different teams. St. Louis is showing some weakness at home with a negative record. They are having difficulties to improve their offense as well and to be consistent. Boston showed in the past that same weakness. However, this can be a turning point for this season.
Savard will play again, and the team and coach are more confident than ever, enjoying a total day off yesterday, something rare, "Probably the first time in their careers they didn't have a game or a practice or a flight" coach Claude Julien said. The team showed last games a little bit of the team concept from last season and this should continue with the Bruins improving a lot their results and performance.
Pick: Boston Bruins 3Way (1X2) +135 (2.35) Bookmaker, +150 (2.50) Goalwin
Philadelphia Flyers @ Colorado Avalanche
This will be a match up between two teams in different form. The best roster is without any doubt, the roster of the Flyers. Colorado had a great debut this season with a 10-3 record, all losses on OT. It starts to smell that the cinderella team was found. Pure mistake.
They were with the "momentum" and since it's gone, they are 3-7 and going in a path to reverse their record to negative. They are with 2 straight losses at home, including a blowout loss in the last one. This shows how their moment has turned. These 2 home losses were the first losses at home where they are 6-2.
One of the reasons is because of Anderson. The goaltender that was awesome in the beginning of the season, has lowered his performance, allowing more than 5 goals per game in the last 6 games. That can be normal at this point, as he should be tired, being their star as the Avalanche make him playing most of the games, missing only 3 this season. Their game has also suffered some changes as they are not so cohesive as before, and are not able to keep the lead.
The reasons can be many, but the fact of being number 1 team on NHL in the start, has done some damage thanks to the pressure. Their roster were not able to assimilate that fact, struggling and showing their weak points increased by insecurity.
Philadelphia is a kind of team that always plays to the public, making the game a true show. It's a great team and a contenders to Stanley Cup. They are a team with a great trail to score. They are the third best team on scoring in NHL. Incredible is the fact that none of their players are in the top scorers ranking. This show how this team works. Every one knows how to score, and try to do it in every occasion they get.
Their defense has been solid as well, with their best pair of defenders, Pronger and Carle, among top defense men. Prongers is by far one of the best players on NHL and he is fighting with top players such as Carter and Richards for top place on the points ranking on Flyers roster. When they get more than 2 losses on a row their coach gets upset, as he consider that good teams cannot lose two in a row. Just once they lost 3 games in a row, but they are now coming from 2 losses in a row on this 5 road games trip.
So for this game we will have Colorado that had lost all their fuel. They are not in advantage anymore and are mentally weak, allowing lots of goals and lowering their offensive power. They will host the Flyers, one of the most powerful teams in the league, with an average 3.4 goals per game. Among the Flyers roster every player is a candidate to score a goal and this will be a difficult problem for Colorado to manage. Philadelphia in another hand, cannot endure another defeat and the Colorado frailties will be exploited for sure.
Pick: Philadelphia Flyers PL -1.5 +225 (3.25) Bet Jamaica
2009.11.23 results:
Columbus Blue Jackets vs New York Rangers: New York Rangers 3Way (1X2) +115 (2.15) Bookmaker (7-4: WIN)
Washington Capitals @ Ottawa Senators: Washington Capitals ML +100 (2.00) Bookmaker (4-3 OT: LOSS)
Boston Bruins @ St. Louis Blues: Boston Bruins 3Way (1X2) +135 (2.35) Bookmaker (2-4: WIN)
Carolina Hurricanes @ Dallas Stars: Dallas Stars PL -1.5 +155 (2.55) Bookmaker (2-0: WIN)
Philadelphia Flyers @ Colorado Avalanche: Philadelphia Flyers PL -1.5 +225 (3.25) Bet Jamaica (5-4: LOSS)
2009.11.23 finished with a 3-2 and +2.05 units won/5 units risked.
NHL 2009-2010 season record: 35-63 (-16.55 units lost/99 units risked)
Columbus Blue Jackets @ Montreal Canadiens
For this match up, we have an important spot to mention: the Blue Jackets are on B2B game. They are 1-1 on B2B games, however the win wasn't a fair result and they had luck.
I suppose that they'll end this season with a negative record on back-to-back games and that's because Rick Nash can't get comfortable when have to play with only a 24 hours break, specially when it includes an airplane travel.
And if Nash isn't comfortable to waste his rest time inside a plane, the team loses his best offensive player and their main star.
Their defense depends as well on their offense, or if you prefer, their wins depend on their offense only, as they are one of the worst teams on defense. Strange, as they were one of the best defending teams last season.
Montreal is still struggling this season. Will they ensure a playoff participation? The supporters think that playoffs are the minimum objective that this team as to achieve. For that, they have to quickly start a winning streak... and most of all, to not allow other teams to steal wins at their arena.
This team is one of the most talented teams, but is also one of the older's. Their experience could be offered for free and they still have enough experience to win games. So, the results will happen soon and i guess that today will be a good day to win, due to the fact that they've got the experience to manage a home game against a team coming from a match on the previous day.
The difference between the rosters is something easy to see. The Canadiens have more talented, but older players. Columbus have Nash, a 25 years LW, who is one of the best players in the league, but that still has to negociate back-to-back games.
Even with the weight of the age, Montreal can play this game with some physical strength as Columbus, since the Canadiens had 2 days to rest. With an intense public and the urge to win as well, Montreal can't let this victory fly away.
Pick: Montreal Canadiens ML -130 (1.77) The Greek
2009.11.24 results:
Columbus Blue Jackets @ Montreal Canadiens: Montreal Canadiens ML -130 (1.77) The Greek (5-3: WIN)
2009.11.24 finished with a 1-0 and +0.77 units won/1 unit risked.
NHL 2009-2010 season record: 36-63 (-15.78 units lost/100 units risked)
2009.11.25, 8 picks:
Philadelphia Flyers @ New York Islanders: Over 5.5 -120 (1.83) Bookmaker, -133 (1.75) Goalwin
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Tampa Bay Lightning: Tampa Bay Lightning PL -1.5 +225 (3.25) 5Dimes, +195 (2.95) Goalwin
Buffalo Sabres @ Washington Capitals: Washington Capitals 3Way (1X2) +125 (2.25) Bookmaker, +110 (2.10) Goalwin
Ottawa Senators @ New Jersey Devils: New Jersey Devils 3Way (1X2) +115 (2.15), +110 (2.10) Goalwin
New York Rangers @ Florida Panthers: Florida Panthers ML +100 (2.00) 5Dimes
Boston Bruins @ Minnesota Wild: Boston Bruins 3Way (1X2) +130 (2.30) Bookmaker, +135 (2.35) Goalwin
Nashville Predators @ Colorado Avalanche: Over 5.5 +115 (2.15) 5Dimes, +105 (2.05) Goalwin
Chicago Blackhawks @ San Jose Sharks: San Jose Sharks 3Way (1X2) +120 (2.20) Bookmaker, +125 (2.25) Goalwin
Philadelphia Flyers @ New York Islanders
As we all know, Philadelphia and New York are not for away from each other. So, this can be a hostile arena today, with many supporters from both teams. This can push the teams on the field to play a crazy and quick game, opening lots of spaces and with a lot of goals.
The Islanders after struggling in the first games, have been quite strong at home, scoring 3 goals per game. In their last month, they are scoring much more than that, showing their improvements at offense, with their young roster making the difference. This team was the worst last year and for that, they picked the first pick on the draft, John Tavares, who is tied with Moulson for points.
This team, maybe because of their youth, took some time to start their engines. But since they understanded what they needed to do, this team has been quite good, playing a great game and scoring a lot of goals even against great teams.
The Flyers are one of the best offensive teams. As I told you 2 days ago, this team is all for goals. The reason why I say this is because they are the top offensive team in goals scored, but haven't any player on the top scorers ranking. Everyone helps the team in that part even if his job is to defend, as Pronger. Playing on the road is not something that scares them, they still have this offensive power on the road, scoring 3 goals per game.
The environment will probably be hot, making this an interesting match up. Philadelphia will not avoid the opportunity to score their goals and I can't see the Islanders letting the Flyers take off. They have to keep this game close and they can keep it close and fight for the victory.
Excited by the public, both teams will explore as much as they can the adversary nets. This will probable be a fast game, with lots of shots, and will not be a game for a goaltender to get a good performance.
Pick: Over 5.5 -120 (1.83) Bookmaker, -133 (1.75) Goalwin