NHL Picks (Today's Free Predictions, Tips, Parlays)

Red Wings at Blackhawks Picks and Game 1 NHL Odds
by Alan Matthews - 5/15/2013

In this writer's humble opinion, the Western Conference semifinal series between the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings that begins Wednesday night at the United Center is the best possible matchup the NHL could ask for this postseason outside of the Hawks and Pittsburgh Penguins meeting in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Senators at Penguins Picks and NHL Game 1 Odds
by Trevor Whenham - 5/14/2013

And so begins the second round. We have one team in this series that was widely expected to be here and one that probably wasn’t. Pittsburgh advanced as heavy favorites in their opener against the Islanders, though they certainly got more than they could have imagined from the feisty New York team and budding superstar John Tavares. They certainly don’t want to have to keep working that hard if they plan to go all the way to the Finals, or they will run out of gas.

Rangers at Capitals Picks and Game 7 NHL Odds
by Dave Schwab - 5/13/2013

The New York Rangers and the Washington Capitals will lace them up one more time this Monday night for the right to advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals in Game 7 of this opening-round NHL playoff series. The puck is set to drop at the Verizon Center at 8 p.m. (ET), and the game will be broadcast nationally on the NBC Sports Network.

Penguins at Islanders Picks and Game 6 NHL Odds
by Alan Matthews - 5/11/2013

So, is alienating your star goalie worth winning a first-round playoff series? Because that's essentially what the Pittsburgh Penguins will be doing in their Eastern Conference quarterfinals against the New York Islanders.

Rangers at Capitals Picks and Game 5 NHL Odds
by Dave Schwab - 5/10/2013

It’s now down to a best-of-three series between the New York Rangers and the Washington Capitals when these two teams square off this Friday night in Game 5 of the opening round of the playoffs. All the action from the Verizon Center is set to get underway at 7:30 p.m. (ET), and the game will be broadcast nationally on the NBC Sports Network.

Wild at Blackhawks Picks and NHL Game 5 Odds
by Trevor Whenham - 5/9/2013

Since winning the Stanley Cup in 2010, the Blackhawks have failed to advance past the first round of the playoffs. With a 3-1 lead here in this series, they are on the verge of breaking that slump, and they are very hungry to do so. They are clearly the most talented team in the West this year, and the first round is just the beginning of what they are looking to accomplish. So, can they get it done here?

Red Wings at Ducks Picks and Game 5 NHL Odds
by Alan Matthews - 5/8/2013

I'll be honest with you: I have no idea what to make of the Red Wings-Ducks Western Conference quarterfinal series. Anaheim has fairly well dominated its two wins, taking them by a combined 7-1. Detroit, meanwhile, beat the Ducks 3-2 in overtime in Game 4 on Monday night to tie the series -- it’s the Wings' second OT win of this series. Thus, obviously, it could also have been a Ducks sweep.

Penguins at Islanders Picks and NHL Game 4 Odds
by Trevor Whenham - 5/7/2013

It was a mistake to totally discount and overlook these New York Islanders. Their core of talent is excellent, led by John Tavares — truly an elite talent in the NHL at this point. They are well-coached, have a veteran goaltender, and have proved how determined and resilient they are by grabbing and hanging onto a playoff spot in a brutal race to the finish in the Eastern Conference.

Capitals at Rangers Picks and NHL Game 3 Odds
by Dave Schwab - 5/6/2013

The Washington Capitals will take their show on the road this Monday night to Madison Square Garden with a 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven opening round playoff series against the New York Rangers. This matchup is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. (ET), and it will be broadcast nationally on the NBC Sports Network.

Maple Leafs at Bruins Picks and Game 2 NHL Odds
by Alan Matthews - 5/4/2013

At least the Toronto Maple Leafs are in the playoffs for the first time in nine years and provide a welcome distraction from the gigantic flop that is the Blue Jays. However, the Leafs apparently weren't ready for the increase in intensity in the postseason as they were dominated 4-1 Wednesday night in Boston in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals between the Original Six rivals. It's their first postseason meeting in 39 years.

Wild at Blackhawks Picks and Game 2 NHL Odds
by Dave Schwab - 5/3/2013

The Minnesota Wild and the Chicago Blackhawks will resume their opening-round playoff series this Friday night at the United Center in Game 2 of a best-of-seven series with Chicago holding the early 1-0 edge. The game is scheduled to start at 9:30 p.m. (ET), and it will be broadcast nationally on the NBC Sports Network.

Rangers at Capitals Picks and NHL Game 1 Betting Odds
by Trevor Whenham - 5/2/2013

The Rangers were not planning to open the playoffs on the road. In fact, heading into the season they were the favorites to win the Stanley Cup. They have fallen far short of expectations, though, and are frankly lucky to be playing at all. It was only in the last couple of weeks of the season that it became reasonably certain that the team would be in the postseason.

Islanders at Penguins Picks and Game 1 NHL Odds
by Alan Matthews - 5/1/2013

The overriding storyline entering the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs isn't about the Chicago Blackhawks, who won the Presidents' Trophy for the second time in franchise history and set an NHL record by starting the season with at least a point in 24 straight games. The playoffs also aren't about whether the Los Angeles Kings can become the first team to repeat as Cup champions since the Red Wings in 1997-98. The playoffs aren't about the Original Six Maple Leafs returning to the postseason for the first time in nine years.

Wild at Blackhawks Picks and Game 1 Betting Odds
by Trevor Whenham - 4/30/2013

The Blackhawks were the runaway winners of the President’s Trophy for the top regular season record in the NHL. The accomplishments really are staggering. They won three-quarters of their games — 36 of 48 — and lost just seven games in regulation. While that’s impressive, you can be sure that no player on the team cares at this point. This is a squad that hasn’t won a playoff series since winning the Stanley Cup in 2010, so you know that the trophy they have isn’t what they are aiming for. This is a team that is good enough to make a run all the way to the finals — and quite possibly win it all — and they know it.

Red Wings at Stars Picks and NHL Betting Odds
by Alan Matthews - 4/27/2013

The NHL's current longest postseason drought will end this season with the Toronto Maple Leafs into the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2004. The Detroit Red Wings have the longest active playoff streak in the four major American pro sports at 21 straight seasons. That is on the line Saturday in Dallas as the Wings finish their final season in the Western Conference ahead of next season's realignment, which, awesomely, will pair the rival Wings and Leafs in the same division. Gas was on average $1.34 a gallon the last time Detroit missed the playoffs, by the way.

Oilers at Wild Picks and NHL Betting Odds
by Dave Schwab - 4/26/2013

The Edmonton Oilers will try and play the role of spoiler in a Northwest Division clash against the Minnesota Wild this Friday night at the Xcel Energy Center. The game is set to get underway at 8 p.m. (ET), and it will be broadcast nationally on the NHL Network.

Candiens at Jets Picks and NHL Betting Odds
by Trevor Whenham - 4/25/2013

Absolutely everything is on the line here for the Jets. They are the first team to finish their season, and they have very slim playoff hopes. In order to make the postseason for the first time since 2007 and only the second time in the history of the franchise, they need to win this game and then hope that the Senators lose their final three games and the Rangers drop their last two.

Blackhawks at Oilers Picks and NHL Betting Odds
by Alan Matthews - 4/24/2013

The Chicago Blackhawks say they don't care about winning the Presidents' Trophy given to the team with the most points in the NHL's regular season. I tend to believe them as it seems to be a curse. Since the Presidents’ Trophy was created for the 1985-86 season, just seven teams that earned it also hoisted the Stanley Cup. Last year the Canucks won the Trophy for the second year in a row and were knocked off in five games by the No. 8 L.A. Kings, the eventual Cup champs.

Flames at Predators Picks and NHL Betting Odds
by Trevor Whenham - 4/23/2013

I have been a fan of the Calgary Flames since they moved to my hometown in 1980. I went to the first game they ever played here and have gone to dozens of games since. Because of my long association, I couldn’t possibly be more frustrated with the team than I have been over the last week or so. They have been truly awful all year, are short of prospects, and were major sellers at the Trade Deadline.

Blackhawks at Canucks Picks and NHL Betting Odds
by Dave Schwab - 4/22/2013

The Chicago Blackhawks will square off against the Vancouver Canucks this Monday night at the Rogers Center in a clash between two of the best teams in the Western Conference. Game time for this showdown is set for 10 p.m. (ET), and it will be broadcast nationally on the NHL Network.