in NHL Free Picks

Tuesday, February 13th --- Pengrowth Saddledome, Calgary --- 9:00pm EST

The Flames are enduring a tough three-way tie atop the Northwest Division with Minnesota and Vancouver, and a four-game losing streak is not helping anything in Cowtown. But the arrival of homegrown defenseman Brad Stuart should help solidify a defense that has been keeping the Flames from burning brightly. The Thrashers fly into the unfriendly Saddledome, a venue they have never won in.

The Thrashers have only won a single game in their past five contests, including a 5-2 loss to the lowly Philadelphia Flyers at home. Their offense was showing promising signs, especially with the apparent resurrection of Ilya Kovalchuk, but their last two contests saw them get shut down by the defensively inept Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks. They are averaging 3.07 goals per game, good enough for 13th in the league.

Calgary has been busy in the trade market, acquiring Brad Stuart and forward Craig Conroy to help give the Flames a much needed spark. A tough road trip saw Jarome Iginla and company take three straight losses. Thankfully, they return to Saddledome where they are 8-1 SU at home in the past nine.

Look for the penalty prone Thrashers to put the team against the wall, while defenseman Dion Phaneuf and Brad Stuart begin to build chemistry by shutting down the Thrashers’ limping offense. Calgary has the 5th strongest offense in the league at home.

Free NHL Pick:

Atlanta – 1

Calgary – 3

Result: Calgary Flames win 4-1

The offensively pungent Predators will host the defensively dominant Sharks on Wednesday in what promises to be a war. The Predators are struggling to hold on to their Central Division lead, while the Sharks are slowly sliding down the standings in the West. Both teams will be trying to turn the corner on Wednesday night in Nashville.

The Sharks play phenomenal team defense, ranking first in road defense and second in overall defense (the Devils are first). Recently, however, the Sharks have been lame ducks, losing a back-to-back series to Dallas and splitting another with Anaheim. The problem is that their goaltending has been killing them.

The Predators, meanwhile, have been up and down all week. Their special teams was able to help topple Toronto, while their defense saw them with their backs against the wall against Pittsburgh. The Sharks pose a problem since they are so defensively dominating, while offering a scoring punch.

Look for the Sharks to turn the page here and unleash Joe Thornton and their steady offense. The Predators are one of the worst defensive team at home (ranked 29th), while their number-one ranked home scoring offense will run into the Sharks number one ranked road defense. This will be a tightly played game, but look for the Sharks to break the puckline with some solid special teams play.

Free NHL Pick:

Sharks – 4

Predators – 2

Result: Nashville Predators win 5-0

Wednesday, February 14th --- Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul --- 9:00pm EST

The third place Canucks will face their heated division rival on the road in a game that could very well decide who reigns supreme in the Northwest Division. The Wild have won four of the past five contests with the Nucks this season, and have been playing some of the best hockey in the NHL in the past month. Welcome back to superstardom, Marion Gaborik (12 goals, six assists in last 14 games played)!

The Canucks have been wobbly lately. They handed Atlanta a 3-2 loss, but got shutout in Chicago the night before. What gives? Well, these are the Canucks after all. This is a team notorious for stinking up the second half, and there is no way they are getting off the hook. Goalie Roberto Luongo called this “the biggest game of the season” and he could not be more right.

Vancouver is one of the worst teams offensively, ranking 26th overall and 18th on the road in scoring. Their single strength has been the powerplay, where defenseman Sami Salo lowers the boom with that heavy slapshot of his. The Wild are ranked 27th in home penalty killing, so they must stay out of the box if they hope to contain the Canucks again.

The Wild have been steady lately, winning four of their last five. Marion Gaborik gets the majority of the credit, but his supporting cast of Todd White and Pavol Demitra has also started to heat up. Vancouver must be sweating the return of Brian Rolston from injury, who has 46 points this season, including eight against Vancouver in four games.

Simply, expect a blowout. Vancouver is horrible on the road, and they are starting to fall apart at the seams. Their offense will struggle to keep this one close as the Wild find the twine all night.

Free NHL Pick:

Vancouver – 2

Minnesota – 5

Result: Vancouver Canucks win 3-2 (OT)

Wednesday, February 14th --- American Airlines Center --- 8:30pm EST

Detroit squeaked by the Stars in their last two meetings, but look for the surging Stars to shine at home on Valentine’s Day. The Stars are trying desperately to catch San Jose and Anaheim in the Pacific Division, while Detroit and Nashville jockey for tops in the Central Division. But if anyone saw the Wings get clipped against the Flyers in a 6-1 loss on Monday, the scales have to be tipped towards Dallas in this one.

There is no doubt that the Wings are one of the best teams in the league, showcasing some of the best young talent with Pavol Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg. But on the road, they show weakness. Their fourth-ranked overall defense drops to thirteenth on the road, while their road scoring is an appalling 23rd.

The Stars are the third-best defensive team in the league, and the recent acquisition of forward Ladislav Nagy should help add some scoring punch. The Stars are the 23rd-best scoring offense in the league, and Nagy should be the boost they have been looking for. They have been leaning on Turco while winning five or their last six games.

With Dominik Hasek out with a sore wrist, the Stars should be able to break the puck past the Red Wings defense. Look for this game to be tight because, even without the Dominator, the Wings still have a deep and talented defensive corps.

Free NHL Pick:

Red Wings – 2

Stars – 3

Result: Detroit Red Wings win 3-1

Last Time – 4/4

Overall – 13/21

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