We are at it again with more picks. All tolled there are a heaping 12 games available to watch throughout the day for your viewing pleasure. My focus will be on the high-flying North Division, the battle of Alberta, and the league’s best team continues their Western Canadian road trip. Let’s get to it and improve our picks record and pad the bank account.
*Season record: 16-11-1*
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Calgary Flames at Edmonton Oilers
Calgary had just two wins in six games on their most recent road trip including the 5-1 capper to the rebuilding Senators. The Flames then crushed the Sens 7-3 Thursday to even their record back to the .500 level. Despite the victory, Calgary let head coach Geoff Ward walk due to the middling performance after 24 games. A familiar name to the organization and former Stanley Cup Champion Darryl Sutter will take over after signing a three-year contract.
The Oilers had turned their season around and ramped things up considerably winning 11 of 13 games before they got destroyed by the Maple Leafs in three straight. Edmonton managed to score just once and got outscored by 12 goals over the mini-series. Connor McDavid was held off the scoresheet for three consecutive games for just the third time in his career. Expect the Oil to be primed and ready for this latest installment of the battle of Alberta.
Edmonton holds a slight two games to one advantage for the season series. The over has hit in two of three matchups. Over the last 10 games, Edmonton has a record of 6-4 while Calgary has four victories and an overtime loss. The Flames are the second-most penalized team with 85 penalties. Edmonton will look to capitalize on the man advantage with their eighth-ranked powerplay (25.88%). Another spirited affair between these provincial rivals is fully in play. With the league’s best point-getters in McDavid and Leon Draisaitl bringing their best, take the Oilers in a fun one.
*Ice Pick: Edmonton money line -140*
Toronto Maple Leafs at Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks caught the Leafs at a good time Thursday night in their home barn. Toronto, having played just the night before, was fresh off of dismantling the Oilers. A letdown spot was fully in the cards. A game two repeat victory by the ‘Nucks Saturday’ seems unlikely given how the two teams are playing.
Vancouver is 4-5-2 in their last 11 games averaging just 2.45 goals per game while the Maple Leafs have cruised to an 8-3-1 record while averaging 3.33 goals a contest. Even more impressive is the newfound commitment to defense. Over the last 12, they have surrendered only 2.08 goals. This a version of Toronto that we have never really seen. With the commitment to both ends of the ice, they have cemented themselves as legit contenders. Number one ‘tender Frederik Andersen should get the nod after Michael Hutchinson played on Thursday.
Expect Auston Matthews to bring his best for this primetime Hockey Night in Canada matchup. The star center hasn’t scored since February 20 versus the Canadiens when he sniped two of his league-leading 18 goals. Matthews was nursing an injured wrist that kept him out of a few games. However, the shots on goal totals over the last few games (five and seven) suggest that he is in good form.
Vancouver is 0-4 over their last four following a win. Thursday’s victory was Vancouver’s first in the last six versus Toronto. The Leafs have been consistent all year long. They have lost two consecutive games only once all year. Take the Maple Leafs with confidence.
*Ice Pick: Toronto Maple Leafs -210*
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