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NHL
Friday, February 25
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Ice picks: Friday's best NHL bets
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Phoenix Coyotes at Columbus Blue Jackets (-115, 5)
It looks like Columbus has finally found a way to score goals. The team has propelled itself into the thick of the playoff hunt thanks to a reinvigorated offense that has enabled the team to win six of its past eight games. During that span, the team is averaging 3.25 goals per game.
Despite injuries to Kristian Huselius (9 goals) and Derrick Brassard (14 goals) that are expected to keep the duo out to next month, the team hasn’t missed a beat. Over its eight-game hot streak, the Jackets have been led by forwards Rick Nash (6 goals, 5 assists), Antoine Vermette (3 goals, 3 assists) and R.J. Umberger (2 goals, 7 assists).
"This is what we play for – for these games to mean this much," Nash said. "But the job isn’t done yet. We still have a lot of work to do. We still have some ground to make up. We have to keep this play up."
The Coyotes, meanwhile, saw their eight-game winning streak snapped violently with an 8-3 loss at Tampa Bay. Over the team’s past seven games, it has given up at least two goals each time out.
"You could see it, our guys just had no gas in the tank," Phoenix coach Dave Tippett said of the Tampa Bay beatdown. "That's one of those games where you just get rid of it, burn the tape, and move on."
Pick: Columbus
Minnesota Wild at Anaheim Ducks (-125, 5.5)
Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller is about as close to making a comeback as pogs. Still suffering from symptoms of vertigo and fatigue, the All-Star goalie remains on IR. Which means Anaheim will turn to…good question.
The Ducks traded horrid backup goalie Curtis McElhinney on Thursday for Dan Ellis of the Tampa Bay Lightning. McElhinney couldn’t stop a beach ball the past two weeks, getting the start in four straight losses that saw the Ducks allow a staggering 24 total goals.
The real question now: will Ellis or recent AHL call up and journeyman Ray Emery get the nod for the Ducks between the pipes? But the way the team is playing right now, it might not matter.
The Ducks' defense is in a bit of a disarray and now the offense may be missing a few beats as well. Forward Saku Koivu (13 goals, 20 assists) is doubtful with a groin injury and Ryan Getzlaf (15 goals, 32 assists) could miss the game while he deals with personal issues.
Minnesota, meanwhile, whipped the Ducks 5-1 last week and is 6-4 over its past 10 games. In those wins, the team is averaging four goals per game.
Expect it to be another four-goal night against Anaheim.
Pick: Minnesota
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Friday, February 25
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Ice picks: Friday's best NHL bets
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Phoenix Coyotes at Columbus Blue Jackets (-115, 5)
It looks like Columbus has finally found a way to score goals. The team has propelled itself into the thick of the playoff hunt thanks to a reinvigorated offense that has enabled the team to win six of its past eight games. During that span, the team is averaging 3.25 goals per game.
Despite injuries to Kristian Huselius (9 goals) and Derrick Brassard (14 goals) that are expected to keep the duo out to next month, the team hasn’t missed a beat. Over its eight-game hot streak, the Jackets have been led by forwards Rick Nash (6 goals, 5 assists), Antoine Vermette (3 goals, 3 assists) and R.J. Umberger (2 goals, 7 assists).
"This is what we play for – for these games to mean this much," Nash said. "But the job isn’t done yet. We still have a lot of work to do. We still have some ground to make up. We have to keep this play up."
The Coyotes, meanwhile, saw their eight-game winning streak snapped violently with an 8-3 loss at Tampa Bay. Over the team’s past seven games, it has given up at least two goals each time out.
"You could see it, our guys just had no gas in the tank," Phoenix coach Dave Tippett said of the Tampa Bay beatdown. "That's one of those games where you just get rid of it, burn the tape, and move on."
Pick: Columbus
Minnesota Wild at Anaheim Ducks (-125, 5.5)
Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller is about as close to making a comeback as pogs. Still suffering from symptoms of vertigo and fatigue, the All-Star goalie remains on IR. Which means Anaheim will turn to…good question.
The Ducks traded horrid backup goalie Curtis McElhinney on Thursday for Dan Ellis of the Tampa Bay Lightning. McElhinney couldn’t stop a beach ball the past two weeks, getting the start in four straight losses that saw the Ducks allow a staggering 24 total goals.
The real question now: will Ellis or recent AHL call up and journeyman Ray Emery get the nod for the Ducks between the pipes? But the way the team is playing right now, it might not matter.
The Ducks' defense is in a bit of a disarray and now the offense may be missing a few beats as well. Forward Saku Koivu (13 goals, 20 assists) is doubtful with a groin injury and Ryan Getzlaf (15 goals, 32 assists) could miss the game while he deals with personal issues.
Minnesota, meanwhile, whipped the Ducks 5-1 last week and is 6-4 over its past 10 games. In those wins, the team is averaging four goals per game.
Expect it to be another four-goal night against Anaheim.
Pick: Minnesota
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