NHL Monday Night Picks – Penguins vs. Rangers and Sabres vs. Canucks

NHL 2 Game Parlay – Sid the Kid on Broadway

Monday Night’s NHL Betting action includes two very good games between four teams that are expected to go a long way in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Pittsburgh Penguins (32-20-1) @ New York Rangers (24-21-7)

When: 7:00 PM ET, Monday, January 25, 2010
Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York

• The New York Rangers rank 25th on offense, and average 2.6 goals per game. The Rangers are 18.8% on the power play and have 36 power play goals.
• The Pittsburgh Penguins rank 5th on offense, and average 3.1 goals per game. The Penguins are 2nd worst on the power play at 15.7% and have 34 power play goals.
• The Rangers average 3.0 goals per game at home, and give up 2.7 goals against on defense.
• The Penguins average 2.6 goals per game on the road, and give up 3.0 goals against on defense.

Pittsburgh Penguins – -120

Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury returned to action this weekend after a three game absence due to injury, and did so just in time. The Pens didn’t look like the same team without him, giving up 16 goals in the three games that he missed. Pittsburgh should be able to score at will and will be buoyed by the confidence of having Fleury back between the pipes.

 New York Rangers – +100

The Rangers have lost two straight games – both by shutout. It’s really no surprise that their goal scoring is down – only Marion Gaborik has more than 12 goals. The Rangers are simply not that good a team – not on the road, and not at home.

Winning Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins -120

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Buffalo Sabres (30-13-7) @ Vancouver Canucks (31-18-2)
When: 10:00 PM ET, Monday, January 25, 2010
Where: General Motors Place, Vancouver, British Columbia

• The Vancouver Canucks  rank 3rd on offense, and average 3.2 goals per game. The Canucks are 22.3% on the power play and have 46 power play goals.
• The Buffalo Sabres rank 11th  on offense, and average 2.8 goals per game. The Sabres are 18.0% on the power play and have 37 power play goals.
• The Canucks average 3.6 goals per game at home, and give up 2.0 goals against on defense.
• The Sabres average 2.7 goals per game on the road, and give up 2.5 goals against on defense.

Buffalo Sabres – +120

The Sabres have lost their last three games (two in a shootout), but are still in the top tier of NHL teams. They are not a team that boasts the star power of many teams, but they are solid in all aspects of the game – not unlike the New Jersey Devils. Vancouver marks the end of a grueling seven game road trip for Buffalo and they could be tired. Look for a solid effort, but one that falls short.

Vancouver Canucks – -140

The Vancouver Canucks are winners of four straight games and seven of their last ten.  They have been beat up on Defense with Sammy Salo, Kevin Bieksa, and Willie Mitchell all missing time due to injury. This is why they pay Roberto Luongo the mega-bucks, and he’s been earning it lately. 43 saves in his last game against Chicago prove that Lou is on his game.  Because of Luongo’s play and the incredible pace that the Canucks first line is on, they will be tough to beat, especially at home.

Winning Pick: Vancouver Canucks -140