NHL Picks (Today's Free Predictions, Tips, Parlays)

Anaheim Ducks at Edmonton Oilers Free NHL Picks & Odds
by Guy Bruhn - 4/5/2014

After strong play recently Anaheim finds themselves with a legitimate late-season shot at the top overall seed in the NHL Playoffs and the first President's Trophy in franchise history. To keep up with Boston and St. Louis the Ducks must beat Edmonton for the second time in four days after Wednesday's 3-2 win at the Honda Center.

Pittsburgh Penguins at Minnesota Wild Free NHL Picks & Odds
by Tony Sink - 4/4/2014

The Pittsburgh Penguins have had a lot of easy wins this year, but it was pretty surprising that they were able to beat the Minnesota Wild 5-2 the last time they played each other. Both teams should be in the playoffs this season, so the Penguins' domination certainly sent a message throughout the league.

Detroit Red Wings at Montreal Canadiens Free NHL Picks & Odds
by Guy Bruhn - 4/4/2014

The Montreal Canadiens were able to beat the Detroit Red Wings 5-4 the last time these two teams played, which was just a couple of weeks ago. The Canadiens now lead the season series 2-1 going into their final meeting. Tomas Plekanec scored the first two goals for the Canadiens at the 5:14 and 14:11 marks of the first period.

Winnipeg Jets at Toronto Maple Leafs Free NHL Picks & Odds
by Josh Schonwald - 4/4/2014

The Winnipeg Jets were able to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-4 in overtime the first and only other time the teams have met this season. Mark Scheifele put the Jets on the board first with his 10th goal of the season just over three minutes into the first period. Blake Wheeler doubled the hosts lead with a power-play tally three minutes later. After about 20 minutes of goalless action Dion Phaneuf cut the lead in half with a power-play goal of his own.

Dallas Stars at Tampa Bay Lightning Free NHL Picks & Odds
by Tony Sink - 4/4/2014

In their only other meeting of the season, the Tampa Bay Lightning were able to beat the Dallas Stars 4-2. The win helped the Lightning come closer to securing a top-3 playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Martin St. Louis got the game's first goal, putting the Lightning up by one less than 85 seconds into the first period.

New Jersey Devils at Carolina Hurricanes Free NHL Picks & Odds
by Guy Bruhn - 4/4/2014

The New Jersey Devils were able to take a 3-2 season series lead over the Carolina Hurricanes when they beat them 5-4 on March 8. It wasn't easy for New Jersey, though, as they lost a three-goal lead and needed a late Tuomo Ruutu goal to pull off the win.

Ottawa Senators at New York Rangers Free NHL Picks & Odds
by Josh Schonwald - 4/4/2014

The New York Rangers were able to go on the road and dominate the Ottawa Senators the last time they played each other in a game they eventually won 8-4. In the win, goalie Henrik Lundqvist became the winningest goalie in Rangers' history with 302 career victories.

New York Rangers at Colorado Avalanche Free NHL Picks & Odds
by Tony Sink - 4/2/2014

The Rangers and Avalanche are inching towards home ice in the first round as they meet up Thursday in Colorado. New York has just 5 games remaining and a 3 point lead over the Flyers while Colorado tries to stave off the banged-up Blackhawks by 3 points themselves with 7 games on the docket.

Minnesota Wild at Chicago Blackhawks Free NHL Picks & Odds
by Guy Bruhn - 4/2/2014

Already without Patrick Kane for likely the remainder of the regular season, the Blackhawks were dealt a blow when Jonathon Toews was knocked out of Sunday's hard hitting game in Pittsburgh. Toews is listed as questionable but might be held out of Thursday's game against Minnesota for his own good.

Pittsburgh Penguins at Winnipeg Jets Free NHL Picks & Odds
by Josh Schonwald - 4/2/2014

The Penguins have clinched their playoff spot with 101 points thus far on the year but any coach will tell you limping into the postseason is not healthy for an extended run. Pittsburgh has slumped lately but hope a win against mediocre Winnipeg will get them back on track.

Buffalo Sabres at St Louis Blues Free NHL Picks & Odds
by Tony Sink - 4/2/2014

A mere one point separates the Blues from the top seed in all of the NHL and a President's Cup Trophy and a visit from last place Buffalo with just 7 games left offers a nice reprieve. After Buffalo the final 6 games are against likely playoff teams so St. Louis is actually in a must-win situation against a team with 50 points less than them.

Dallas Stars at Carolina Hurricanes Free NHL Picks & Odds
by Josh Schonwald - 4/2/2014

Technically the Carolina Hurricanes are still alive in the playoff hunt as they trail the 8th seed by 6 points, but there are only 9 games remaining. The Hurricanes need to jump 4 teams so finishing out the year undefeated is likely their last saving grace.

Calgary Flames at Tampa Bay Lightning Free NHL Picks & Odds
by Guy Bruhn - 4/2/2014

Calgary has officially been eliminated from postseason contention although that's been a formality for weeks. The Lightning are in almost the opposite situation in a virtual tie for home ice advantage and needing to win as many of their final six games as possible to hold off Montreal.

Boston Bruins at Toronto Maple Leafs Free NHL Picks & Odds
by Tony Sink - 4/2/2014

Boston is inching towards their second President's Trophy in franchise history as they close out the last 6 games of their season. St. Louis is hot on their trails though and while the Blues draw a game with last place Buffalo, Boston has to play postseason hopeful Toronto on the 2nd night of a back-to-back schedule.

Boston Bruins at Detroit Red Wings Free NHL Picks & Odds
by Guy Bruhn - 4/1/2014

The Boston Bruins may look like the better team on paper and may have the the better record, but the Detroit Red Wings were able to dominate them the last time they faced each other. The Red Wings were able to score six straight goals in that late-November matchup in a game they ended up winning 6-1.

New York Islanders at Ottawa Senators Free NHL Picks & Odds
by Josh Schonwald - 4/1/2014

The New York Islanders and the Ottawa Senators last saw each other back in early November, a game that the Islanders ended up winning 5-4 in overtime. This game was made for the type of hockey fan who loves offense, as a total of 88 shots were taken and nine goals were scored.

Phoenix Coyotes at Los Angeles Kings Free NHL Picks & Odds
by Tony Sink - 4/1/2014

The Los Angeles Kings looked to have a home win sewn up heading into the third period the last time they faced the Phoenix Coyotes, but the visitors were able to get two third period goals to pull off the comeback win. The game definitely had a playoff feel to it, but it was the Coyotes who put in the extra effort late in the game to get the impressive home victory.

Edmonton Oilers at Anaheim Ducks Free NHL Picks & Odds
by Guy Bruhn - 4/1/2014

The last place Edmonton Oilers don't win many games, but when they do, they usually rely on a great game from goalie Ben Scrivens. That was the case the last time they played the Anaheim Ducks, a game they won 4-3 in overtime less than a week ago.

Montreal Canadiens at Tampa Bay Lightning Free NHL Picks & Odds
by Guy Bruhn - 3/31/2014

The Montreal Canadiens and the Tampa Bay Lightning will certainly remember the last time they faced each other. The Lightning were able to win the game 2-1 in overtime, but the most memorable part of the game happened in the second period when Lightning goalie Ben Bishop got into a short fight with Canadiens' right wing Brandon Prust.

Colorado Avalanche at Columbus Blue Jackets Free NHL Picks & Odds
by Tony Sink - 3/31/2014

The Colorado Avalanche and Columbus Blue Jackets were in a high-scoring affair the last time they saw each other in a game the Avalanche ended up winning 5-3. Colorado can thank their power-play for the win, as they were able to convert all three of their chances with the extra man.