Tuesday NHL Picks
Our team of writers and handicappers hand out their hockey picks and predictions for Tuesday, February 10.
San Jose Sharks at Boston Bruins, 7:05PM ET
When the Boston Bruins traded perennial All-Star center Joe Thornton to the San Jose Sharks during the 2005-06 season, both struggling clubs were looking to find a way out of last place in their divisions.
A little over three years later, their paths have again led to the same place – the top of the NHL.
The conference leaders and Presidents’ Trophy contenders meet for the only time in the regular season on Tuesday in Boston, where the Sharks will continue a five-game road trip and look to end their longest losing streak of the season.
The Bruins selected Thornton with the No. 1 overall pick in the 1997 draft, but they never found postseason success with the Canadian star and began a rebuilding process when they sent him to San Jose for Marco Sturm, Brad Stuart and Wayne Primeau on Nov. 30, 2005.
Thornton immediately helped turn around the Sharks, who had lost 10 straight before the trade but won their first six games afterward, reaching the 2006 playoffs as Thornton had 92 points in 58 games with the club to earn the Hart Trophy.
San Jose (36-7-7) has gotten even better since then, streaking to a 22-3-1 start this season under rookie coach Todd McLellan. The Sharks hold a two-point lead on defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit in the Western Conference with three games in hand on the Red Wings.
NHL Free Pick: Boston – View Game Matchup | Best Line: -130 Sportsbook.com
Vancouver Canucks at St. Louis Blues, 8:35PM ET
Though they’re only two games into February, the Vancouver Canucks are already putting last month’s woes behind them.
The Canucks will be trying for their first three-game winning streak in over two months on Tuesday night, when they match up with the St. Louis Blues.
Vancouver (24-20-8) finished with a 2-5-5 record last month after enduring a miserable eight-game losing streak (0-5-3) from Jan. 9-31. The team was also winless at home, and mired in a franchise-record nine-game skid at GM Place that dated to December.
But the Canucks ended both slides by defeating Carolina on Tuesday, then continued that success with Saturday night’s 7-3 home victory over Chicago.
Alexander Edler contributed a goal and three assists to help the Canucks secure back-to-back victories for the first time since Dec. 14-17, and they’re now in position for their first three-game winning streak since reeling off a season-high four in a row from Nov. 19-24.
NHL Free Pick: UNDER – View Game Matchup | Best Line: O/U 5.5 Sportsbook.com
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Posted: 2/10/09 9:43AM ET
