Picks for March 18th, 2010

Last Nights Record: 2-1
Record for Week: 5-3

Here are my picks for tonights games.

St. Louis Blues at New York Rangers

Both teams in this match-up lost there last game and both teams are fighting for a playoff spot. The sad thing is if St. Louis were in the Eastern Conference, they would be a point away from the playoffs instead of being 7 points behind in the Western Conference. New York on the other hand, is in 9th place and is only three points behind from a playoff spot. Both are in a similar situation but the one thing that separates these two is there home/way records. New York is 15-16-6 at the Garden while St. Louis is 20-11-4 on the road. Simple facts here.

Look for St. Louis takes this one and New York's scoring woes continue.

St. Louis over New York

Washington Capitals at Carolina Hurricanes

Alexander Ovechkin will not be playing in tonights game, serving his suspension for a hit on Chicago's Brian Campbell. But the kicker here is that the Capitals actually don't really miss there captain when he is out of the line-up, going 7-2 in his absense. But don't count Carolina out of this one. Justin Peters is starting tonight and is 4-2 with a .923 spct. He has the ability to steal a game and has done so for the Hurricanes before. I think this one will be closer than what people think.

Look for Washington to win. Possibly in OT.

Washington over Carolina

Buffalo Sabres at Tampa Bay Lightning

The Buffalo Sabres and Tampa Bay Lightning have been very similar teams as of late. Both are losing. Ryan Miller has been terrible on the road as of late, posting a 1-4-3 record with a 3.37 GAA. Not very Milleresque. Tampa Bay has been having some issues as of late to, going 2-7-1 in there last ten, while also losing their last two. The one stat that sticks out here is Ryan Millers record against Tampa Bay all time, winning 15 of his 18 meetings.

Look for Buffalo to win this one.

Buffalo over Tampa Bay

Phoenix Coyotes at Florida Panthers

What a turnaround from the Phoenix Coyotes. They have won six in a row and have all but clinched a spot in the playoffs. The best part is, they are actually starting to get fans in the seat, with attendance slowly rising this season. On the other side, Florida is once again having a losing season. Although they are technically still in the playoff race, its hard to believe that they will catch up 8 points in there final 12 games. Oh yeah the game, Phoenix has been hot of late, Florida has been cold, common sense here.

Look for Phoenix to win and clinch there 7th in a row.

Phoenix over Florida

Upset of the Night!

Ottawa Senators at Atlanta Thrashers

Once again this is a game of two slumping teams. Ottawa has been abysmal since there return from the Olympics, going 1-5-1 since the break. Atlanta on the other hand, going on a losing steak before driving Ryan Miller out of the net and winning that game 4-3. Ottawa currently holds the fifth spot in the Eastern Conference with 5 points separating them from 8th place Boston. But after losing to the last place Maple Leafs on Tuesday, there is reason to be worried.

Look for Atlanta to build off the momentum of winning against Buffalo and winning this one.

Atlanta over Ottawa.

Now that I look, my only home pick was the Thrashers. Maybe this is the night that the road warriors come out to play. Guess we have to wait to find out.

Alright fans, those are my picks for tonight's games and come back tomorrow for more predictions from the Chicken Man himself.