Florida Panthers @ New York Islanders
For this match up, both teams have several injuries. However, none is a key player, so we can expect for this game the best that rosters got to offer.
Florida is one team that got their momentum 2 weeks ago. This team is one of the poorest on NHL, concerning to talent. They can play hard, with all they got, as they did in several games in November. However, that wasnīt the reality of the team, and it will be hard for them to get a spot on playoffs despite the 12-14 record they got right now.
Islanders were the worst team last season, and that give them the right to pick the firs player on the draft. So, this year, we have the young players from last season and the first draft pick, Tavares. Despite they struggled in the start of the season, this team have lotīs of talent, and when the wins finally appear, this team achieved regular wins.
This match up will be decided in details, and those details will be the home advantage and the young players talent. If Islanders finally learn to deal with the lack of experience, Panthers can overwhelm themselves to deal with lack of talent. So both teams will fight for this game, but I believe on the kids, as they have already show that they can be mature.
Pick: New York Islanders 3Way (1X2) +110 (2.10) Bookmaker, +115 (2.15) Goalwin
Atlanta Thrashers @ New York Rangers
I wonder if we should count with home advantage for this game. Atlanta has better record on the road than Rangers at home. With 9-5 on road, Atlanta is a road team that have no fear to face the games even against the public. 7-8 is a negative record, and Rangers are showing some problems and are with 3 losses in a row at home.
Atlanta is a solid team. They just play manage the game on their own, being solid on defense and offense. Even when the games are very balanced, Kovalchuk appears and solve the problem. A solid and cohesive team, allowing only 2.80 goals on the road and scoring 3.00 goals on the road as well, is a positive way to face the games.
Rangers are passing a letdown spot. Their game is just poor, that canīt play as a team, and desperate for Gaborik inspiration. However he can't solve anything alone. One of those signs is that the team is scoring only 1.60 goals per game in last five.
Rangers have to wait for a team that struggles on offense to turn things. However they will face one solid team with Kovalchuk, one of the best players of NHL. We can score one goal at any moment, and itīs hard to imagine Trashers leave New York without goals scored. Having problems in their defense as well as their offensive, opens a window to Atlanta win this game. With these high odds, we have the value that we need.
Pick: Atlanta Thrashers ML +120 (2.20) Bookmaker
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