NHL Picks – February 24th, 2018

I can’t believe I’m saying this right now…I’ve gone 7-3 in my last two weeks!!!  Seriously, DOUBLE-YOU TEE EFF as the children say!!!  That’s it, that’s all I have to say for my opening.  It’s awful, but sometimes you just have writers block and a bit of a hangover, so this is all you’re getting…other than the picks…which are 7-3 the last two times out…not to brag or anything…

Boston at Toronto

Leafs +100

No Matthews tonight and I still like the Leafs to win?!  Well, yeah.  First, they have guys they can move to centre from the wing.  Marleau and Nylander can both be put in the middle and they’ll be fine for a few games.  Babcock with last change can control the matchup to limit any matchup advantages the Bruins may get.  Plus, the last time Matthews was out they seemed to rally around it rather than fold.  With this being a possible first round preview, I believe we’ll get the Leafs at their absolute best tonight and there for at +100 I really like taking the Leafs.

Tampa Bay at Montreal

Lightning -1.5 (+155)

Top team in the Atlantic with their Vezina candidate in goal vs one of the worst teams in the Atlantic with their backup in goal who they’re trying to showcase for a trade.  Niemi has actually been real good for the Habs (when I’ve seen him anyway, and especially compared to how his season started), but I can’t not take the Bolts -1.5 here.

Chicago at Columbus

Blackhawks +150

The standings suggest that this game is massive for Columbus, and nothing for Chicago.  But the Blackhawks are starting to turn it on, while the Blue Jackets have been slipping down the standings for a few months now and are in real danger of missing the playoffs.  At +150, I’ll take a Hawks team who seemingly haven’t yet quit on the season.

Pittsburgh at Florida

Panthers +105

I’m sky high on the Panthers these days.  The Pens have been scorching hot as well, but the Panthers feel like a team who is going to the playoffs despite appearing to be a long way out of things at the moment.  Three games in hand on everyone, but they have to win these games in hand.  Luongo back, momentum coming off the comeback win vs the Caps Thursday night, they’re rallying around the shootings at Parkland, they’re going to be a difficult team to beat right now.  And before you say “the Pens just got Brassard though”, he won’t be there until at least Tuesday because of work visa issues.

Edmonton at Los Angeles

Kings -1.5 (+190)

Without a doubt this is what’s happening tonight.  The Oilers can’t win in LA, the Kings are desperate for points, the Oilers seem to be much more distracted heading into the deadline than most teams right now, and it all adds up to a blowout win for the Kings tonight.

Follow me on Twitter @TJ_Soups