Ritter's Red Hot NHL Pick's & Gameday Previews

Written By: Mark “The Hard Hitter” Ritter

The Rangers had no business beating Anaheim last night, but, alas, the reality is, the Rangers pulled off a big win on home ice last night, costing me yet another opportunity to be perfect.

In the other match, the Vancouver Canucks needed a shoot-out to beat the Dallas Stars. Is Vancouver really that bad, or are the Stars so improved that they can deliver games like that all season?

In the end, the NHL schedule continues to keep me humble. The obvious is never obvious and, as has been the case most of the season, the “better team” often struggles to pull off the win.

Clearly, I haven't been taking this seriously enough, so, I have decided to provide everyone with a game analysis. Hopefully this gets me the results I am looking for.

There are 18 teams in action today, with a couple of afternoon games. That means nine games total, enough games to bring me up to .500, that is, if I managed to get them all right, which, given my past mediocrity, isn’t likely!

Here are today’s picks:

Boston  Vs. Colorado       

Ticked off at the Bruins lack of a 60-minute effort, Bruins head coach Claude Julien had the team practice yesterday. The Bruins have been very average thus far and seem out of sorts.

On the other hand Colorado has been much improved, perhaps the biggest surprise in the NHL thus far. Craig Anderson has been solid in net and the Avalanche’s special teams have been running hot.

Everything seems to point to Colorado, so I am going with Boston; they are not as bad as they seem, and Colorado is not as good as they seem.

PICK: BOSTON

NY Islanders Vs. LA Kings

The Kings are 3-0-1 in their past four matches against the Islanders. In fact, LA has not lost in New York since Oct. 27, 1998. The Kings have a record of 3-1 thus far, even though they let in 13 goals in their first three games. My only fear about the Kings is their Penalty Kill, which sits at 56.2 percent, which is a bit of a red flag.

The New York Islanders have been a thorn in the side of every team they have faced, Their 0-0-3 record is deceiving, fact is, they have played well enough to win all three games.

The Islanders own the NHL’s top ranked penalty kill, clipping along at 100 percent efficiency. In the end, I suspect the Islanders will give the Kings a tough match, but, ultimately, they will lose another tough one.

PICK: LA KINGS

New Jersey Vs. Washington

The Devils will be playing their third straight game on the road, a road trip in which they have gone 2-0. The Devils will have to bring their “A” game if they intend to beat the Caps, who should be hungry after coming off three straight one goal losses.

The Capitals went 2-0-2 against the Devils last season, so, why not go with history here? Take the Caps.

PICK: CAPITALS

Toronto vs. New York Rangers

The Rangers will try to make it five straight wins when they face the Maple Leafs this evening. Last season, the Leafs went 3-0-1 against the Rangers, but, given the Leafs' struggles thus far this season, you cannot expect that trend to continue, can you?

These are two very different teams from last season and, in case you missed the first four games the Leafs have played, let’s just say, all indications lead me to believe they SUCK!

Look for the Leafs to win a few fights, but get hammered on the score-sheet.

PICK: NY RANGERS

Ottawa vs. Pittsburgh

Surprisingly, the Senators went 3-0-1 against the Penguins last season. Both teams are hot with all of two losses between them.

Ottawa’s power play is lumbering along at a 10 percent success rate, and Pittsburgh was red-hot against the Leafs, scoring three power play goals.

Special teams may prove to be the difference here, take the Pens.

PICK: PITTSBURGH

Florida Vs. Tampa Bay

Florida and Tampa, is there a better game to watch today? Ok, so it’s not exactly a “Gucci” game, but it should prove entertaining nonetheless.

Tampa sports a 10-5-2 record against the Panthers on Home ice. That said, the Panthers took last years series by a 3-1-2 margin. This should be a close game, I am thinking 4-3 here. The Panthers power play is terrible, plodding along at a 6.2 percent success rate. Special teams should play a factor today, so, Take the Lightening.

PICK: TAMPA BAY

Chicago Vs. Calgary

The Blachawks went a perfect 4-0 against the Flames last season and beat the Flames in the playoffs to boot.

The Hawks are firing an average of 22.2 shots against their opponents, which will need to change if they intend to beat the Flames.

Calgary has been playing well, the Flames 4-1 start is impressive, especially when given all the questions surrounding this team heading into the season.

I am not a fan of Chicago’s goaltending right now, so, for that reason, I am taking the Flames, history be damned!

PICK: CALGARY

Nashville Vs. Edmonton

Nashville took three out of four matches last season. Edmonton has looked very ordinary thus far and, with the loss of defenseman Sheldon Souray, they will struggle.

Nashville’s goaltending will be the difference here, take the Preds.

PICK: NASHVILLE

San Jose Vs. Phoenix

It’s quite simple really. San Jose has a ton of offense, Phoenix has scored four goals in their past three games, advantage: Sharks.

Sure, Phoenix beat Pittsburgh 3-0, but, in what should have been a big win in a sold out building the Coyote’s “pooped” the bed, losing 2-0 to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Coyote’s are like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get. I am betting they are gonna get badly bitten by the Sharks. I foresee a three-goal loss for the Y’otes.

PICK: SAN JOSE




***Current record 28-35
***Yesterday 1-1
***BOLD denotes Home team