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NHL
Friday, April 10
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Ice Picks: NHL best bets
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Columbus Blue Jackets at St. Louis Blues (-160)
The Columbus Blue Jackets are going to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history while St. Louis is trying to make it back to the postseason for the first time 2004.
"I don't know if it has quite sunk in yet," Jackets Captain Rick Nash told reporters. "We're so used to just playing out the season, at least the last 10 games or so. This is huge. I'm really happy for our fans. They've waited a long time for this, too."
While the Jackets may be relaxed Friday night, the St. Louis Blues will be anything but. They enter the game eighth in the Western Conference. St. Louis has taken four of the five games against the Jackets this season including both ends of a home-and-home series less than two weeks ago.
Chris Mason has started 35 straight games for the Blues who will be a desperate club against a team that may be a little complacent after completing a task that took nine years to complete.
Pick: St. Louis -160
Calgary Flames at Edmonton Oilers (+130)
All that’s left for the Edmonton Oilers is to spoil the party for their arch rivals the Calgary Flames. The Oilers were eliminated from playoff contention Tuesday night while the Flames remain in a battle with the Canucks for top spot in the Northwest Division.
The Flames are coming off a 47-shot effort against the Canucks but once again they were left shaking their heads. Calgary lost 4-1 despite out-firing Vancouver by 22 shots on goal.
"We can bear down a little more," Mike Cammalleri told the media. "We can do some things to make our shots a little more effective."
It starts with improving the power-play. The Flames are 0-for-37 with the man advantage over their past eight games.
"It's definitely something we've got to work on," Cammalleri said, "We've got to get that swagger back. Get that confidence back. That will come with some success here.”
While the Flames are trying to find an answer for their offense, the Oilers are looking for answers for pretty much every aspect of their game.
"We came into this season really excited to get it going. It's a pretty bad feeling in here," Oilers forward Sam Gagner admitted to the press. "We hung out in the middle of the pack, then just faltered at the end. It's a pretty tough thing to deal with.”
This is the first end of a home-and-home battle to wrap up the season. The Oilers won the first two meetings of the season but the Flames bounced back with a pair of wins of their own.
Pick: Flames -150
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Friday, April 10
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ice Picks: NHL best bets
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Columbus Blue Jackets at St. Louis Blues (-160)
The Columbus Blue Jackets are going to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history while St. Louis is trying to make it back to the postseason for the first time 2004.
"I don't know if it has quite sunk in yet," Jackets Captain Rick Nash told reporters. "We're so used to just playing out the season, at least the last 10 games or so. This is huge. I'm really happy for our fans. They've waited a long time for this, too."
While the Jackets may be relaxed Friday night, the St. Louis Blues will be anything but. They enter the game eighth in the Western Conference. St. Louis has taken four of the five games against the Jackets this season including both ends of a home-and-home series less than two weeks ago.
Chris Mason has started 35 straight games for the Blues who will be a desperate club against a team that may be a little complacent after completing a task that took nine years to complete.
Pick: St. Louis -160
Calgary Flames at Edmonton Oilers (+130)
All that’s left for the Edmonton Oilers is to spoil the party for their arch rivals the Calgary Flames. The Oilers were eliminated from playoff contention Tuesday night while the Flames remain in a battle with the Canucks for top spot in the Northwest Division.
The Flames are coming off a 47-shot effort against the Canucks but once again they were left shaking their heads. Calgary lost 4-1 despite out-firing Vancouver by 22 shots on goal.
"We can bear down a little more," Mike Cammalleri told the media. "We can do some things to make our shots a little more effective."
It starts with improving the power-play. The Flames are 0-for-37 with the man advantage over their past eight games.
"It's definitely something we've got to work on," Cammalleri said, "We've got to get that swagger back. Get that confidence back. That will come with some success here.”
While the Flames are trying to find an answer for their offense, the Oilers are looking for answers for pretty much every aspect of their game.
"We came into this season really excited to get it going. It's a pretty bad feeling in here," Oilers forward Sam Gagner admitted to the press. "We hung out in the middle of the pack, then just faltered at the end. It's a pretty tough thing to deal with.”
This is the first end of a home-and-home battle to wrap up the season. The Oilers won the first two meetings of the season but the Flames bounced back with a pair of wins of their own.
Pick: Flames -150
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