Duck/Stars Game and A Perfect Night : 3/23 Results, 3/24 Picks

* Pre-Skate *

WOW. That's what I can say about last night. Total playoff games atmosphere. The Stars basically had this game zipped away 3-2 until, with 6.5 seconds left in the game, Teemu Selanne scores a tying goal. The guy looks amazing for 40 years-old. I truly feel privileged to see a Finnish legend like him before he calls it a career. Both teams remained tied in the standings by getting to overtime until Anaheim struck again. Less than two minutes into overtime, Cam Fowler and Bobby Ryan go on a two on one break. Bobby Ryan slides a pass over to Fowler who slams it home for the win and an extra point in the standings. The extra points lets Anaheim sit in the eighth spot in the Western Conference. Dallas sits outside the bubble but is still in a good spot to get into the playoffs. Really glad I got to see this game. Superb play between the two teams.


* Results *

Hockey game experience aside, I had a super night with my picks. I chose correctly (barely) choosing the Canucks to beat the Wings. They did so 2-1. The Blackhawks were chosen to beat the Panthers, and they did so shutting them out 4-0. The Ducks and Stars result can be seen above. Amazing finish. The Ducks pulled out the win in overtime 4-3. Finally, I banked with the better team in San Jose and they backed my pick up winning 6-3 over the Flames. Results below.

3/23/2011 - Wednesday

Canucks at Red Wings : Pick - Canucks : Result -- 2-1 Canucks : Correct : 171-132
Panthers at Blackhawks : Pick - Blackhawks : Result -- 4-0 Blackhawks : Correct : 172-132
Ducks at Stars : Pick - Ducks : Result -- 4-3 Ducks : Correct (OT/W) : 173-132
Flames at Sharks : Pick - Sharks : Result -- 6-3 Sharks : Correct : 174-132

=Dumbest Pick of the Night=
None, perfect night. Look for some dumb picks next entry!

=Hardest Pick of the Night=
Canucks at Red Wings : Easily the hardest pick of the night. Both teams are playoff bound and I could see them both in the Western Conference Finals. I pick the Canucks merely on the standings and general feel for the game. I lucked out.

=Easiest Pick of the Night=
Panthers at Blackhawks : This game was very easy to choose. The Blackhawks are good and the Florida Panthers are fairly terrible. Makes for an easy decision.

* Picks *

There are some excellent games tonight. Montreal visits Boston in their first meeting since the hit by Chara on Pacioretty. The Penguins meet Atlantic rival Philadelphia in what always amounts to a physical game. The Ducks visit Nashville in what is yet another game that will make a huge difference in the Western Conference standings. The Sharks and Kings game has two Pacific Division rivals facing off, and yet again, another game where playoffs are at stake. I love this time of year for hockey. So many good games. Here are my picks for tonight.

3/24/2011 - Thursday

Canadiens at Bruins ==> Canadiens
Thrashers at Islanders ==> Islanders
Senators at Rangers ==> Rangers
Penguins at Flyers ==> Flyers
Oilers at Blues ==> Blues
Ducks at Predators ==> Ducks
Maple Leafs at Avalanche ==> Maple Leafs
Blue Jackets at Coyotes ==> Coyotes
Sharks at Kings ==> Sharks

Night!