Plays

[Nick Douglas]

Islanders +1/2 -135 over KINGS 3*

Lots of trade rumors surrounding Palffy being shipped out to Long Island. Yashin should respond after being demoted to the fourth line during practice yesterday. Kings get two key defensemen back tonight, which could disrupt things a bit. Isles have followed their last two shutout losses with big wins.

BUFFALO +1/2 -150 over Rangers 3*

Rangers are 1-6 this season playing back to back. Buffalo's schedule has been difficult lately while the Rangers have had mostly patsies. Sabres have outshot their last 4 opponents, but gone 0-4 being outscored 7-14 in those games. A correction should be expected tonight.

Chicago +1/2 -120 over COLUMBUS 3*

Plenty of bad blood on the Hawks' side as many in the organization tipped off the press when Fleury was arrested after the strip club brawl the last time Chicago played in Columbus. Hawks are also peeved over some questionable penalties that gave San Jose power plays for their 3rd and 4th goals for the 4-2 win last night. Jackets have been outshot by at least 10 shots in their last 6 straight but they amazingly are 3-2-1 in those games. That sort of trend is bound to reverse.

 

[ND2002HORNS]

GL Nick! I am on opposite sides on all of these so I guess one of us will be happy at days end. One thing to keep in mind with Yashin, I got to know this guy a bit during his 8 years in Ott. and this guy will not respond, guaranteed. He will actually pout even more. This guy does not respond to anything, he walks to the beat of his own drum. Most selfish player in hockey today and I know for a fact that there are 3 players in the Isles dressing room that loathe this guy, absolutely hate him and would not do a damn thing for him due to his selfishness and attitude. Yashin thinks the game of hockey owes him something. Too think the Sens got Chara and Spezza for this idiot is great. All these other teams that are trading off stars over the last 2 years due to money, the Sens hit the jackpot in this trade. Just thought you might want to know.
As for the other 2 plays, getting the half goal is nice as both games could go either way and no doubtedly will be one goal games. All the best!

HORNS

 

[Nick Douglas]

Heh, here's hoping all three are so close that they are closer than one goal games.

Yashin is quite the character, as he has blamed his linemates for not capitalizing on the extra defensive attention that is paid to Yashin during his current slump. I still think he will play like gangbusters tonight, especially since he wants Palffy on his line.

I must say that I was pretty disappointed when I made a quick run through of the board after my post and saw that we were on all opposite sides. Cest la vive.

 

[ND2002HORNS]

Nick,

I am pretty sure that I will play the Flames tonight, nice dog play at home. The Canucks are coming off a huge emotional and physical win the other night. The Flames on the other hand are acutally playing solid hockey of late. Sutter said in an interview last night that during their 4 game road trip that the Flames probably only played 1 bad period and I truly believe it. Your thoughts?

HORNS

 

[Nick Douglas]

I thought Calgary played better than the score or shot totals indicated in their last game. As you probably know, I am a big fan of home dogs to begin with so Calgary is quite tempting. You also have the fact that Calgary is playing their first game back at home after a non-successful roadie and the fact that Vancouver should have a let down after that big game vs. the Avs.

Personally, I am passing because I am only looking to play teams in a +1/2, minus money situation right now and Calgary is too big a dog for that. Sounds dumb in a way, I know, but I am really trying to stay disciplined with this.

 

[ND2002HORNS]

All the best tonight and thanks for the input. GL

HORNS

 

[grooven]

Nick,

I am pretty sure that I will play the Flames tonight, nice dog play at home. The Canucks are coming off a huge emotional and physical win the other night. The Flames on the other hand are acutally playing solid hockey of late. Sutter said in an interview last night that during their 4 game road trip that the Flames probably only played 1 bad period and I truly believe it. Your thoughts?

HORNS

:nono:

after a 3 game unbeaten streak 9-2

All games played at CALGARY since 1996
VANCOUVER is 11-5 (+6.8 Units) against the spread versus CALGARY since 1996
VANCOUVER is 10-5 straight up against CALGARY since 1996

Games played at CALGARY over the last 3 seasons.
VANCOUVER is 5-1 (+4.0 Units) against the spread versus CALGARY over the last 3 seasons
VANCOUVER is 5-1 straight up against CALGARY over the last 3 seasons

 

[grooven]

If Vancouver needs motivation against Calgary following the crucial victory over the Avalanche, maybe the prospect of losing the season series to the cellar-dwelling Flames can provide it. The Flames won consecutive one-goal games over the Canucks after being shut out in the teams' season opener, and managed a draw in the last matchup.

 

[Nick Douglas]

grooven,

I highly doubt the Canucks were bouncing off the walls at practice with the thought of evening the season series with a last place team.

In all sincerity, I find that quotes from local papers are far more helpful in handicapping than quotes like the one you posted from the generic AP preview. You also are posting trends that have little, if any relevance to the two teams that will step onto the ice today. We all know that Vancouver has dominated this series in the two seasons prior to this one, but as you noted in the copy and paste job from the AP writeup, the Flames have the edge 2-1-1 this season.

I don't have a play either way in this game, but I have to say that the Flames seem to be the side to be on tonight.

 

[Terryray]

Good luck and thanks Nick D!

Good luck and thanks Nick D!

Well, even more pertinent and up to date is quote off the radio this morning--poster reported Vanc player saying practice went great and team has lots of jump and excitement for tonight.

and the useful trend Grooven's stuff points to, one consistent this and many past seasons, is that the road team dominates in this matchup.

 

[Korn]

I'm all over the Nucks tonight.... check my post for reasons why...... but I do believe they want to beat Calgary bad... even though they are a last place team..... its embarrasing getting beat by a last place team.......

GL with your plays Nick! espciallly the Islanders

GL

 

[grooven]

grooven,

I highly doubt the Canucks were bouncing off the walls at practice with the thought of evening the season series with a last place team.

In all sincerity, I find that quotes from local papers are far more helpful in handicapping than quotes like the one you posted from the generic AP preview. You also are posting trends that have little, if any relevance to the two teams that will step onto the ice today. We all know that Vancouver has dominated this series in the two seasons prior to this one, but as you noted in the copy and paste job from the AP writeup, the Flames have the edge 2-1-1 this season.

I don't have a play either way in this game, but I have to say that the Flames seem to be the side to be on tonight.

Sorry that you find my trends and ap paste job non useful. What I can say in my own words is I am a trend player. Also at my disposal is a software program.Up until this point I have tripled my money. I think this game mean far more to the nucks than it does the flames. with less than 22 game left we all how tight the battle in west is. And points now are at all time premium.

 

[Nick Douglas]

grooven, if trends are making you money, then by all means keep on it. I find that trends are generally more statistical aberrations than meaningful tendencies unless there is sound logic behind them.

For instance, is there any logical reason that the road team should dominate in the Vancouver vs. Calgary series? I dunno, maybe one team or another plays exceptionally well on the road because there are mostly single guys on the team and they bond during nights out at strip clubs on the road. My only point is that if there is not logic behind a trend, then it very well may be a statistical aberration that will soon be corrected by regression to the mean. In lames terms, that means that if there is no reason behind the road teams dominating this series, then most likely we will see home teams start to dominate in the near future.

As far as the motivation for tonight's game goes, you have to think that both teams will be up huge. Calgary returns home and has the night cap of Hockey Day in Canada and Vancouver wants to keep their lead on the Avs. As I said, I am passing on this game but I do think that the Flamers are the right side to be on, all things considered.

 

[Nick Douglas]

ST. LOUIS -1/2 -180 over Phoenix 3*

Phoenix 2-6 this season on back to backs, and they are in a 3 in 4 spot as well. Blues are 20-7 vs. teams with losing records. Blues should come out firing after the collapse vs. Philly. Coyotes got their big win last night and it will be tough for them to put up that kind of performance again. Plus Sam's on this one.

 

[MYPICKS]

looks like a 3-0 sweep from your first three. buf nyl and chic.

 

[ND2002HORNS]

Nice work, 3-0. I got kicked in the teeth tonight, hoping for the Flames then I might only be down 4 units otherwise down about 8 units.

HORNS

 

[kickserv]

Nice night.............almost 100%............good job


looking at the point spread seems to be working out for you.....as for me I'm winning my max plays and hitting on some dogies.......it's amazing how many different ways you can make money.......and lose it

(although tonight it looks like I'll have a losing night....good thing Toronto came through for me.....phew!)

 

[Nick Douglas]

Thanks, guys. Obviously St. Louis was a real stinker. If anyone watched that game, you probably know what I am talking. I still think the Blues outplayed the 'Yotes but the point is that it is just poor form to play a large chalk play to try to put the icing on the cake when you are having a good day. I will still walk away from today with a profit and hopefully the knowledge to avoid such folly in the future.

 

[trademaster]

I find that trends are generally more statistical aberrations than meaningful tendencies unless there is sound logic behind them.

agree...

BTW GREAT JOB