Tommy Gold's NHL 2009/2010 2009.10.23 Picks

[TommyGold]

Carolina Hurricanes @ Colorado Avalanche

Colorado will host Carolina with the Hurricanes being a road underdog team. Can Peter Budaj discredit the work that Avalanche has done so far? It will be first game this season for Budaj in Avalanche's nets. It's true that Anderson has been one of the keys for their wins. But Avalanche will have a B2B game at home and Anderson will be spared. But, Budaj is not bad at all. He had a bad season last year, but in the previous seasons, he had done a good work. Now, why can't he be reliable? He will make his first game, after 9 games, with a team that has a high morale and I see it as something contagious for all the players in the roster.

Colorado started the season with 2 home games, winning easily Sharks and Canucks. Then went to a 7 games road trip, losing the first 2 games and the last one, 2 of them in SO. The other game was lost by one goal only. So, this team is playing very well, fighting all the games with all they've got. They are making the difference in the field in PP situations too.

Carolina are struggling this year. I's a team that I enjoy, however they still have a hard rail to go. With only a easy win at home, over Panthers, this team had lost the 4 games they done as visitors. So for this game, there will be to many edges for Colorado to let this one pass. They are playing much better on offense and defense. They got confidence and the Hurricanes still have to find their game. They are few "degrees" below Colorado right now and Budaj will not be the key for Hurricanes, as I expect him to play well as the rest of the team.


Pick: Colorado Avalanche 3Way (1X2) +145 (2.45) Diamond (DSI), Centrebet, bet365

[TommyGold]

Florida Panthers @ Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh is in a 6 wins streak. Why end it today? I don't have much to explain this pick. The Penguins are playing well and their only absence will be Fleury. However, his impact on the team is not so strong, which give us few or no doubts about the Penguins' performance. Pittsburgh is well known by their offensive line. They can easily score and they shot a lot.

Florida is not a reliable team. After the horrible display by Clemmenson last game, allowing 2 goals in the first minutes at home, Vokoun had troubles too, and the Panthers ended losing 5-2. They are playing badly in their defense, allowing almost 4 goals per game. And even their offensive has moods.

So for me, this is a simple game to analyse. A team that has big troubles defending will face the Penguins and the bookies give us a PL over the pair? We can't let this one pass! The differences between both rosters, the way they are playing, and the momentum of both team are astounding!


Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins PL -1.5 +165 (2.65) 5Dimes, PIT PL -1.5 +155 (2.55) The Greek