Thursday NHL Picks
Our team of writers and handicappers hand out their hockey picks and predictions for Thursday, February 12.
Vancouver Cauncks at Phoenix Coyotes, 9:05PM ET
Coach Alain Vigneault’s decision to unite forwards Mats Sundin, Pavol Demitra and Ryan Kesler is quickly yielding positive results for the Vancouver Canucks.
The new linemates look to continue their strong offensive production, while helping the Canucks match their longest winning streak of 2008-09 on Thursday night when they visit the Phoenix Coyotes
Entering the month of February, Vancouver (25-20-8) was mired in a season-high eight-game slide (0-5-3) during which it had been outscored 35-22.
To spark the team, Vigneault shifted Sundin – who had three points and a minus-6 rating in his first nine games after signing a deal with the Canucks in mid-December – to the second line with Kesler and Demitra.
The new line debuted Feb. 3 against Carolina, and has since combined for 22 points (nine goals, 13 assists) to help Vancouver win three straight – its longest run since reeling off four a season-high four victories in a row Nov. 19-24.
They were particularly productive in Wednesday night’s 6-4 win at St. Louis. Sundin scored twice, Demitra had a goal and two assists and Kesler added a goal and an assist as the Canucks overcame an early two-goal deficit to take the opener of their three-game road trip.
Kesler – second on the team with 15 goals and third with 35 points – now has six goals and four assists during a four-game point streak, while Demitra has one goal and seven assists in a four-game run of his own.
NHL Free Pick: Vancouver – View Game Matchup | Best Line: -135 Sportsbook.com
Calgary Flames at Los Angeles Kings, 10:35PM ET
The Los Angeles Kings are winning in bunches these days. The same can’t be said of the Calgary Flames.
The Kings carry a season high-tying four-game winning streak into Thursday night’s home contest against the Flames, losers of five of their last six.
Los Angeles (24-21-7) had dropped four in a row (0-3-1) from Jan. 10-17, but has since regrouped to win seven of its last eight games. Tuesday night’s 4-3 shootout victory on the road against the league-worst New York Islanders was the Kings’ fourth in a row, matching their streak from Nov. 6-13.
They rallied from a pair of one-goal deficits before defenseman Jack Johnson scored the lone goal in the shootout. Los Angeles, which is seeking its first five-game winning streak since Feb. 11-March 7, 2006, is now only three points out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the crowded Western Conference.
The Kings, who finished tied with Tampa Bay for the fewest points in the league last season with 71, have not appeared in the playoffs in 2001-02.
NHL Free Pick: Calgary – View Game Matchup | Best Line: -110 Sportsbook.com
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Posted: 2/12/09 11:18AM ET
