* Results *
Despite the fact that I went 6-4, I don't really like my day of picks. That's probably because I just finished watching the awful Flyers game. They missed several big scoring chances and lost only because Nik Antropov went hard to the net and got a lucky bounce. The puck went in off his skate leading to the game's only goal. The Flyers are one of the only teams in the NHL without a shutout this season and it's ashame that the bid for their first (as well as Sergei Bobrovsky's first career shutout) was washed away in this fashion.
Starting in Boston, the Maple Leafs downed the Bruins in a shootout 4-3. Toronto actually had a chance in overtime to score as a rare penalty shot was handed out to Grabovski. I'd consider that an upset, but Toronto is playing desperate hockey to get that eighth playoff spot that is likely out of their reach. That brings us to the New York game where the Islanders convincingly beat the Rangers, who currently are holding down the eighth spot (Toronto had to love this game), 6-2. As I keep saying, the Islanders aren't an easy win. This game here is a prime example. Philadelphia lost a game where they dominated mostly but failed to convert their scoring chances. Atlanta converts the only one they needed. With Philly's loss, the Capitals close in on the Eastern Conference lead. The Canucks also were able to clinch their first ever Presidents' Trophy (best regular season team) with their win and the Flyers losing. Congrats to them! Moving on, the Blue Jackets had a rough game with bounces going against them. They gave the Capitals a tough game, but the Capitals converted in overtime winning 4-3. In Tampa Bay, the Lightning used two first period goals to beat the Penguins. The win locks them into a playoff spot as expected. I thought Pittsburgh was going to win this one as the Lightning have looked a lot like the Flyers in terms of consistency. Not the case. The Ottawa Senators defeated the Florida Panthers in a battle between two bad teams. Ottawa has really played pretty well during the last month. The Oilers out shot the Wild by a lot, but still lost 4-2 anyway. If you want to see some amazing stops, watch the highlights for some saves Khabibulin made. Pretty solid, but the better team won as expected. Colorado continued their plummet as they lost to the Predators 3-2. The Kings, as I thought, were defeated by the Canucks. As mentioned, the win clinched the Canucks claim to the Presidents' Trophy. Los Angeles also have to be hoping Michal Handzus didn't suffer an injury after he was nailed in an awkward position into the boards. The play wasn't called, but probably should have been. Finally, the Stars blew an opportunity to get back into the Western Conference playoff look by getting blown out 6-0 by the Sharks. The Sharks capitalized on Dallas mistakes and were strong on the puck. Interesting night of hockey to say the least. Thursday's results below.
3/31/2011 - Thursday
Maple Leafs at Bruins : Pick - Bruins : Result -- 4-3 Maple Leafs : Wrong (SO/L) : 201-154
Rangers at Islanders : Pick - Rangers : Result -- 6-2 Islanders : Wrong : 201-155
Thrashers at Flyers : Pick - Flyers : Result -- 1-0 Thrashers : Wrong : 201-156
Blue Jackets at Capitals : Pick - Capitals : Result -- 4-3 Capitals : Correct : 202-156
Penguins at Lightning : Pick - Penguins : Result -- 2-1 Lightning : Wrong : 202-157
Senators at Panthers : Pick - Senators : Result -- 4-1 Senators : Correct : 203-157
Oilers at Wild : Pick - Wild : Result -- 4-2 Wild : Correct : 204-157
Predators at Avalanche : Pick - Predators : Result -- 3-2 Predators : Correct : 205-157
Kings at Canucks : Pick - Canucks : Result -- 3-1 Canucks : Correct : 206-157
Stars at Sharks : Pick - Sharks : Result -- 6-0 Sharks : Correct : 207-157
=Dumbest Pick of the Night=
Penguins at Lightning : Pure assumption here. The Penguins HAD been playing good hockey but Philadelphia's win the other night has seem to unraveled them a bit. Tampa Bay has all their top players healthy and should have been figured to overwhelm the Penguins who are down Crosby and Malkin. An interesting pick, perhaps bold, but dumb nonetheless.
=Hardest Pick of the Night=
Rangers at Islanders : I really had a tough time placing a game here. Most of the games seem to have a clear cut pick, but I could see this one being challenging. The New York Rangers has been up and down all season while the Islanders bring a nothing to lose attitude to the rink. If you don't play hungry, you won't win. Which New York team was going to show up could make this a difficult pick. I went with a probable playoff team over an eliminated team.
=Easiest Pick of the Night=
Senators at Panthers : Despite the fact that both teams are sitting in the basement of the NHL's standings, I feel like these teams are on two different planets. Ottawa has been playing great hockey whereas Florida is playing the hockey that matches their record. I had no problem selecting the Senators immediately when I saw this match.
=Got Owned Game of the Night=
Stars at Sharks : Dallas basically needs all the points they can gather at this point. I would have expected a better total effort than what they displayed tonight. San Jose converted their many chances and owned the Stars with a 6-0 score.
=Shoulda, Coulda, Didn't Game of the Night=
Thrashers at Flyers : Philadelphia had quality goaltending by Sergei Bobrovsky tonight. They had many power play opportunities. They even had over 40 shots on goal. What they didn't do was convert their many scoring chances whatsoever. Atlanta held down the fort tonight and beat Philadelphia 1-0. Philadelphia now has Washington breathing down their neck for the Eastern Conference lead by only one point (Philadelphia does have one extra game in hand). The Atlanta Thrashers aren't a bad team, but Philadelphia is the more superior team. I say it all too often in this section: you have to beat teams like these. The points are too precious. Philadelphia let two of those points slip away tonight.
* Picks *
Only four games on tap for Friday. The game of the night belongs in New Jersey where Philadelphia absolutely needs to win if they expect to hold first in the Eastern Conference. Philadelphia will be playing knowing that Chris Pronger is out until at least the playoffs. This is probably good as Pronger could use the rest and rehab on his injured arm/wrist. This is Philadelphia's game in hand at play so they must convert if they expect to hold off Washington. The night also sees the Blackhawks playing the Blue Jackets in Columbus. Calgary, likely out of the playoffs barring a miracle, plays St. Louis who is also likely out of the playoffs. The Blues aren't mathematically eliminated yet, but they are seven points behind the Flames and ten behind the Blackhawks who are in eighth. It's a must win for Calgary if they expect to even think about the playoffs. Finally, the night is complete with a yawner between the Avalanche and the Coyotes. Picks for Friday below.
4/1/2011 - Friday
Flyers at Devils ==> Flyers
Blackhawks at Blue Jackets ==> Blackhawks
Flames at Blues ==> Blues
Avalanche at Coyotes ==> Coyotes
Night!
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