NHL Picks – Dec. 2nd, 2017

That actually happened?  1-6.  That ACTUALLY happened?!  You can’t go 1-6 if you try, yet I went 1-6 the last time out.  It is unreal how shitty my luck has been for the entire month of November.  Shitty betting hockey, shitty betting football, shitty with other things too.  It’s a new month, so MAYBE my luck can turn?!  And hey, four straight weeks of losing, maybe you’d say it’s not bad luck, but great luck that I went 11-4 in the first three weeks of doing these picks.  But hell no.  The last three times out, I’ve honestly felt GREAT about the picks I’ve made.  That’s why I lay out why I’m making the pick I’m making, and everything has gone wrong.  I’ve gone 6-15-1 the last four times I’ve made picks!!  It’s the WORST.  Now sitting at 17-19-1 on the season, which considering the run I’ve had isn’t that bad, but make no mistake, I’ve lost all faith at this point.

Buffalo at Pittsburgh

Over 6 (-105)

We got the Pens against probably the worst team in the league.  You have to believe the Pens fill the net.  They put four past Lehner last night (on just 21 shots), and he shouldn’t be starting the second half of a back to back yet he’s listed as the starter as of writing this.  So expect another four at that end.  Then at the other end the Pens are going with Casey DeSmith who hasn’t made a start yet, but the one game he got into he got lit right up.  Add to that, if the Sabres have any pride then you’d assume they play desperate.  Seeing they’re coming off a shutout, you have to believe they’re going to be a lot more desperate around the Pens net tonight.

Florida at Carolina

Hurricanes -1.5 (+190)

In their first matchup this season, the Canes won 3-1.  Neither team has performed up to my expectations to this point as I had the Canes to be the league’s breakout team this season, and the Panthers to rebound and get back to the playoffs.  But I still believe that Carolina is a better, more well rounded team.  But the biggest reason for this is the Canes should be a really pissed off group tonight after having their asses handed to them by the Rangers (again) last night 5-1.  Panthers lost last night as well (2-1 against the Sharks), but coming off another embarrassment to the Rangers and being at home, have to like the Canes here even at -1.5.

Florida at Carolina

Over 5.5 (-115)

This is REAL simple.  I already hit on how awful James Reimer has been this season, well Cam Ward is at the other end.  And Ward has played better than Reimer (.907 Sv%), but his G.A.A. is over 3.00.  So I have to believe that these two teams are combining for six or more tonight.

San Jose at Tampa Bay

Lightning -1.5 (+170)

One thing I’ve done a lot of in the last few weeks is look for teams who are rolling and teams who are struggling, and I seem to be getting burned doing that.  So now I’m doing the same, but switching it up.  Tampa have lost three of four coming into this, while the Sharks are 4-0-1 in their last five.  Sharks are on the second half of a back to back which doesn’t hurt this bet either, but I’m more so thinking that Tampa comes out fired up, and the Sharks can’t hang with them when the Lightning are at their best, so I like Tampa -1.5 here.

New Jersey at Arizona

Coyotes -110

The Yotes are playing a lot better of late.  They just might be turning things around.  Now, it won’t help, their season is already done, but it’s good to see because you never want to see a team go through that kind of misery, I don’t care how much we hate the market.  So with the Devils coming off a hard fought game in Denver last night, and Keith Kinkaid starting in goal, and Scott Wedgewood having the motivation of starting against his former team (and playing really well), with it being -110 both ways I like the Coyotes here.

Follow me on Twitter @TJ_Soups